Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Chicago Sun-Times
by Sun Times editorial staff

The independent board overseeing Cook County's huge health system, including Stroger Hospital, recently named a new chief, William Foley, to run its nearly $1 billion operation.

While it's too early to make a judgment, what we've heard about Foley so far, we like.

He's a proven turnaround artist for financially ailing hospitals, here in Illinois and in California.

At a county hospital in Salinas, Calif., for instance, he transformed a system that was $25 million in the red in 2006 to $10 million in the black in 2007.

The Cook County health system needs all the financial help it can get, but to accomplish that, it needs a leader who can remain politically independent of some Cook County commissioners.

You know, the ones who might be inclined to make a friendly suggestion to Foley on a great person to get a juicy hospital contract.

Remember, Cook County taxpayers got saddled with one of the highest sales tax rates in the country as part of the political deal that, in return, called for independent oversight over the county health system.

One way for Foley to show independence?

He could post on the Internet, for everyone to see, all the health-care system's contracts with outside businesses.

Nothing like a little sunshine to drive away the leeches.

Foley's got his job cut out for him, and we wish him well.