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The grapevine is going absolutely crazy about what's really behind the decision by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger to oust his cousin, Donna Dunnings, the county's chief financial officer.

   The controversy prompted Commissioner Larry Suffredin late Friday to call on Mr. Stroger to resign. But there is no sign he will do so.

  Ms. Dunnings has been under fire almost since the day she got the job, with outsiders challenging her competency and some insiders battling her over turf. She stayed, despite health problems, and Mr. Stroger stood with her.

   Until 5:58 a.m. on Friday, that is, when Mr. Stroger faxed a statement announcing that he had requested and accepted her resignation, and asked his chief of staff, Joseph Fratto, to assume her duties.

   It's clear that her departure has something to do with her relationship with a convicted felon who was given a job in the county highway department, then later dismissed. Mr. Stroger told WGN radio that the individual couldn't handle the job and that charges the man made against Ms. Dunnings are "bigger than her office" and  "will distract from her ability to do the job."

   Sources are saying the accusations could involve misuse of county money and other law violations, actions that could draw the attention of federal prosecutors. We'll have to wait and see about that.

   But, after announcing plans earlier in the week to partially roll back a controversial sales tax hike, Mr. Stroger's action definitely appears that of a candidate seeking re-election. Mr. Stroger says he'll seek a new term in the Democratic primary next February.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Suffredin, a longtime Stroger critic, late Friday called on the president to follow Ms. Dunnings out the door.

    In a statement, Mr. Suffredin said Mr. Stroger demonstrated his "lack of leadership or lack of interest" in leading by allowing the now-departed Ms. Dunnings to be "the de facto president of the county board."

    Ms. Dunnings was the architect of programs that lead to the hiring of Stroger friends and family, and resulted in "unnecessary" taxes, Mr. Suffredin wrote.  "You let her fill in the void caused by your lack of leadership.  If you can ask her to resign then you should follow her lead."

    No immediate response from Team Stroger.