Cook Co. tax hike remains intact

After a lengthy debate, the Cook County Board voted to reject a proposed repeal of the county's new one percentage point sales tax increase.

The proposal to repeal the tax increase was made by Commissioner Tony Peraica, who is running for state's attorney against Democrat Anita Alvarez in November.

Foes of a repeal of the tax increase were quick to accuse of Peraica of political opportunism. They pointed to an effort by him to put off debate on the proposed repeal until September 3, a time when voters are more likely to be paying attention to the campaign.

Peraica said he knew he did not have the votes to repeal the tax hike and wanted to gather more financial data to back his argument that the tax is not needed.