Preckwinkle rode into office in 2010 on a pledge to get rid of what remained of the county’s unpopular 2008 penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase, which pushed Chicago’s overall sales tax to 10.25 percent, the highest of any large city. The combined city, county and state sales tax in the city will drop to 9.25 percent after Jan. 1.

That “penny” was championed by then-County Board President Todd Stroger, who saw it as a means to keeping the vast public health system in running order.

But as the economy tanked, taxpayers tightening their belts wanted to see elected leaders doing the same — not raising their taxes. As the 2010 election neared, county commissioners who feared a revolt rolled back the sales tax increase by half a penny. It was not enough to save Stroger in his bid for re-election.

Preckwinkle vowed — and won enough votes from the county board — to cut what remained of the sales tax increase by 2013 and then reeled in spending to make that happen. Another quarter penny of the sales tax increase was rolled back on Jan. 1, with the final quarter penny to be rescinded next Jan. 1.

She has said she doesn’t regret pushing for the rollback and stands by it.

By law the county must pass a balanced budget, and Preckwinkle said nothing can be ruled out — including employee furlough days that the unions balked at going in to this year’s budget season.

“There will be tough choices to be made,” she told reporters at a Wednesday morning news conference.