Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Chicago Sun-Times
by FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter

Cook County Board President John Stroger was transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on Tuesday to begin the long recovery from a pre-election stroke that will determine whether he remains on the Democratic ticket.
His son Ald. Todd Stroger (8th) said it will be summer -- at the earliest -- before his father decides if he's well enough to serve.
"From what I hear, people generally go through rehab for 60 to 90 days. I just assume he'll say something in July" about whether he will remain on the ticket in November, Todd Stroger said.
Todd Stroger would not describe his father's physical condition and would talk only vaguely about John Stroger's mental state.
"Like everybody, if something major happened, you're not going to be on top of the world," Todd Stroger said. But the alderman cautioned the long line of politicians champing at the bit to replace his father.
"There's an old saying: 'Never talk about the king until the king is actually gone.' You're never supposed to talk about replacing him. That's always a bad thing."
Dr. Mark Alberts, director of stroke programs at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said Stroger's transfer is a positive development.
It means "all of the acute issues and medical complications that could potentially relate to stroke have either not occurred or have been dealt with," Alberts said.
Now comes the hard part: a "structured, specific program" aimed at addressing how the stroke affected Stroger "neurologically, physically, emotionally and functionally."
"By all the reports, he's had some left-side weakness," Alberts said. "Part of the program will be to help him improve strength and coordination on the left side, to whatever extent possible, and help him deal with whatever deficit he's left with. They'll have various exercises to improve strength and coordination. They may give him specific medications to loosen up those limbs if there is evidence of spasticity.
"Rehab can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. . . RIC typically has a fairly intense rehab program."
Stroger, 76, suffered what his doctors described as a "serious" stroke the week before the March 21 primary.
Brown: 'Strong consideration'
The condition cast a pall over the campaign of challenger Forrest Claypool, but seemed to galvanize party leaders in general, and black elected officials in particular, around Stroger's candidacy. Their support carried the veteran Democrat to victory with 52 percent of the primary vote.
On Tuesday, Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown said she would give "strong consideration" to replacing Stroger if complications force him to retire.
But Brown said, "I have not talked to anyone about it. I have not approached any committeemen or elected officials. It would be dis- respectful to President Stroger.
"It's something I probably would take under strong consideration if he decides it's something he does not want to do. . . . In the long run, I do plan to hold higher office."
Brown has an exploratory committee examining a possible race for mayor. Ideally, she would like to get the word from Stroger in time to get a running start.
"Of course, it's his decision to make," she said. "Out of respect to him, we have to sit back and wait and see what he wants to do."