One for us: Cook County Sales Tax Rolled Back

This just in: the Cook County Board rolled back the sales tax to 9.75%. It was at 10.25% – the highest in the nation.

TLT follows Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica on Twiter, and he posted updates throughout the process. It’s almost like were were there!

• Com Claypool is not present at meeting today. I hope that his vote on sales tax repeal will not be a pivotal vote
• County’s revenues
  mid-way thru FY09 are $31M BELOW projections. Cost savings are about
  $100M at mid-year. Therefore, sales tax s/b repealed.
• Larry Suffredin is now arguing with county comptroller over his FY10 fiscal projections. This is going to be fun. Stay tuned.
• Jerry Butler
  accused Greg Goslin of not knowing what he talking about. Butler is
  defending Bureau of Health. Butler opposes reductions.
• Stroger is now arguing AGAINST the sales tax reduction. He just does not get it.
• Com Sims is now
  putting on the floor a “compromise half-point reduction” and is
  speaking on behalf of it…she sounds like she may flip.
• We need Com. Sims vote to keep 14 votes together in order to overide promised Stroger veto. Stay tuned.
• Com Murphy is now FOR a half-point reduction is sales tax. Com Murphy flipped out way. This is looking promising.
• Com Murphy and Sims are facing stiff opposition in their districts. Election is around the corner.
• Com Gorman is in favor of sales tax reduction. No surprise.
• Com Suffredin is now arguing in favor of a tax reduction. Larry found religion with the election on the horizon.
• Com Suffredin was the 9th vote to pass this $400M sales tax increase in Feb 08.
• Com Collins said
  she will not vote “present” today. She sound like she will vote for a
  roll-back. Com Collins seems to have found religion.
• Com Butler opposes any reductions. No surprise.
• Following my
  summation in favor of tax reduction, Stroger is now attacking me rather
  than trying to advocate for a reduction. Sad.
• Daley and Moreno spoke in support of reduction.
• Roll call is now in progress.
• Moreno votes AGAINST sales tax reduction.
• Schneider and Silvestri vote for a reduction.
• Collins, Gainer, Gorman, Goslin, Maldonado all voted for a reduction.
• This is big. Sims voted to REDUCE the sales tax. Stroger lost one of his most ardent supporters.
• Steele voted YES to repeal the tax. Stroger is done.
• Suffredin and Daley voted for REPEAL.
• Sales tax repealed on a vote of 13-yes, 3-no, ando 1-absent (Claypool).
  Congratulations taxpayers.