Friday, February 29, 2008
Chicago Sun-Times
by STEVE PATTERSON

A compromise has been struck in the long-festering Cook County budget debate, sources said.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has reached a deal to raise the county sales tax from .75 percent to 1.75 percent, according to four county officials.

The proposed tax hike would take effect in November 2008. That, coupled with a hike in other taxes, would help balance the budget.

The swing vote, sources said, comes from Commissioner Larry Suffredin — who demanded Stroger give up control of the hospital system to an independent board of outside professionals. In exchange, Suffredin will agree to vote for a 1 percent sales tax hike, giving Stroger his needed ninth vote to make it pass.

The move would give Chicago one of the highest sales taxes in the nation. But that, coupled with other, smaller tax hikes and some cuts, will balance the 2008 budget.

It will also likely generate enough revenue to prevent Stroger from having to seek another tax hike in 2009.

Commissioners are set to re-convene at 6 p.m., but a vote on the tax package might not come until later tonight.