Stroger aide shook down employees for fundraiser, report says

A Cook County human resources manager pressed political employees under her to buy $100 tickets to a “tribute” fundraiser for President Todd Stroger in the waning days of his administration, according to a quarterly report released Thursday by Inspector General Patrick Blanchard.

The report declared the HR manager “engaged in prohibited political activity” in telling the politically appointed employees under her that they were “expected to participate by donating a minimum of $100.” The report also said that formal complaints against the administration increased annually in the last three years of Stroger’s term in office,

Blanchard said the woman, whose name was not released, was fired by the administration of President Toni Preckwinkle, who unseated Stroger in December. A spokeswoman for Preckwinkle said she could not provide the woman’s name.

“A Tribute to Todd Stroger” was held Oct. 5 at the Excalibur nightclub in downtown Chicago as a fundraiser for Friends of Todd H. Stroger, his campaign fund. By that time, however, Stroger was a lame-duck county official, having lost to Preckwinkle in the February Democratic Primary, and had all but declared his political career over by resigning as 8th Ward committeeman in Chicago.

According to mandatory contribution statements filed twice a year with the state and last amended in October, the campaign fund had $136,000 on hand in July and another $500,000 in “investments” in the form of two $250,000 certificates of deposit at a Chicago bank.

State law requires that the funds be used for political purposes, but at the same time grants wide leeway over how the funds can be dispersed once a politician leaves office.

Treasurer Marlo Kemp, of South Holland, filed papers at the end of 2010 declaring the fund still active.

Blanchard’s report said “disciplinary action was recommended” before the manager was fired.

The report said the Inspector General’s Office received 414 complaints last year, after handling 349 in 2009 and 178 in 2008.

Blanchard said it was not necessarily an indication that county corruption was more rampant. “I like to think that it’s because we’re out there,” he added, “and we’re developing business because we’re trusted.”

Stroger could not be reached for comment, and Kemp did not reply to requests for comment.