Preckwinkle says no sales tax repeal until 2012, at best
Chicago Alderman Toni Preckwinkle said Wednesday she will be unable to repeal the sales tax increase she has targeted on the campaign trail until 2012, or later, if elected to head Cook County this fall.
The Chicago Democrat stressed, however, that she will make good on a campaign pledge to completely repeal the 1-cent sales tax hike under Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.
"We have got to get a handle on the budget in the first year," she said, but quickly added, "I'm committed. I have always been committed to fully eliminating the Stroger sales tax."
Stroger's 2008 tax hike raised the rate in several Northwest suburbs from 9 percent to 10, or 10 cents on the dollar, and to 10.25 percent in Chicago - one of the highest rates in the nation.
The Cook County Board voted last year to cut the increase in half come July 1, dropping the rate in suburbs like Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights and Elk Grove Village down to 9.5 percent.
Preckwinkle cleared a heavily contested Democratic primary for board president in a bid that included a promise to eventually repeal the entire sales tax increase.
She now faces Republican Roger Keats of Wilmette, a former lawmaker and businessman, in the general election on Nov. 2. Keats has also promised a repeal of the sales tax.
"I'm for immediate repeal," Keats said, cautioning that it will take a vote of the board to enact, but promising major budget cuts. "We can't keep doing things the same way."
Green Party candidate Tom Tresser of Chicago is also running. Tresser has said he favors an immediate reduction of the increase.
Preckwinkle said Wednesday she is certain a further repeal of the increase won't come in her first year, if elected, because she has learned the county's structural deficit could be as high as $500 million. She hopes an improved economy, cuts and more money from the federal government will eventually overcome that gap and allow a full repeal.
"We're committed to turning over every rock to find the resources to ... make good on my campaign pledge," said the veteran alderman from Hyde Park.