Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey
(Chicago) – April 14, 2012. Special Report: The fate of a plan by Democratic Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin of Evanston to streamline the county property tax system may be in doubt as another key Democratic commissioner is for now withholding support.
Commissioner John Fritchey (D-Chicago), who saw his own $1 million cost-savings plan to merge the offices of Recorder of Deeds and Clerk fall at the county board by one vote in March, acknowledges that county government needs more “efficiency” but is refusing to commit to Suffredin’s approach–for now.
“I think it’s axiomatic that we need to seek out efficiencies wherever we can find them, inter- or intraoffice,” said Fritchey. “I’m unsure as to how I’m going to vote for it…”
Suffredin is pushing a measure to create an Office of Tax Administration to corral and coordinate all of the county’s property tax services under one roof. Currently, the County Treasurer, Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, and Assessor each have independent chunks of responsibility.
The Suffredin plan, which will be heard in the county’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, would order the various elected officials to sit down and to attempt to draft an interoffice agreement within 60 days on the outlines of a new tax system coordination body.
The first term commissioner’s reluctance to commit to Suffredin’s plan is likely linked to Suffredin’s deciding vote against Fritchey’s own initiative in March.
“The failure of the clerk/recorder merger was a clear victory of patronage protection over policy,” said Fritchey.
Ouch.
“Unless Suffredin can persuade Fritchey to get on board, his tax office idea may be doomed,” said a Cook County political observer. “Fritchey is a master of the media, if he trashes the Suffredin plan publicly that could be enough to sink it.”
Nevertheless, Fritchey is currently keeping his gun powder dry and his door open on Suffredin’s proposal.
“I’m still looking at some aspects of it and want to hear the debate,” said Fritchey.
Property tax administration reform in Cook County has exposed a political fissure within the progressive, Democratic ranks on the county board, a fissure that could derail other policy initiatives to overhaul Cook County’s creaky government structure if left to fester.
The county’s most powerful progressive, Board President Toni Preckwinkle, would be well advised to address an apparent rift on the board among her natural allies–and soon.
Gov. Pat Quinn
David,
I know Chicago folks love political drama but I don’t think that’s the case here. I wouldn’t withhold support for a good idea out of any political tit-for-tat.
Do I think that it was a mistake for people not to support the recorder/clerk consolidation? Of course I do. But they need to answer for that not me. All I can to is put ideas out there for discourse and vote. If I could pass or kill things on my own, state statutes and the county code would look different than they do
And I’m not withholding support for Commissioner Suffredin’s proposal, I just have yet to reach a final decision. This is a significant proposal and needs to be vetted as such.
As far as any rift is concerned, remember the political adage that there are no permanent friends or enemies. Colleagues can agree to disagree one day and work together to improve our government the next. This is no different. I’d like to think that, even if we don’t always agree, Larry and I enjoy each other’s full respect.
Posted by John Fritchey | April 14, 2012, 11:36 AMJohn,
You’re being too modest.
Were it not for you sticking out your neck with Daley, folks might be flying out of Wal-Mart International Airport formerly known as Midway.
You know, when folks talk behind your back, they think you’re impressive.
DO
Posted by David Ormsby | April 14, 2012, 12:56 PM