After fielding a number of calls about the safety of employees, a candidate for Cook County Board president Wednesday removed the home ZIP codes of county workers from an Internet database he unveiled a day earlier.
Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) said he made the move after speaking with Cook County State’s Atty. Richard Devine, a representative of the sheriff’s office and others.
A number of judges also expressed concern with the posting of their ZIP codes and hometowns on the Web site.
“Obviously, we don’t want to jeopardize anyone’s health or safety,” Peraica said. “Based on the security concerns [Devine] talked about, I felt it was appropriate that we remove ZIP codes.”
After their conversation but before Peraica removed the ZIP codes, Devine released a letter to the commissioner that urged him to alter the Web site.
“I am sure you can see the danger that is created by this listing,” Devine wrote. “I am also sure you had no intention of creating such a situation.”
Peraica is seeking the Republican nomination in the 2006 race for County Board president. Board President John Stroger has not yet said whether he will seek a fourth term.
Peraica posted the database on his political Web site (www.votetony06.com) on Tuesday.
Initially, the Web site listed every employee’s name, salary, job title and department, as well as residential town and ZIP code. Employees’ home addresses were excluded.
Generally pinpointing where employees live, particularly those in powerful city wards, helps the public understand how political muscle is flexed in the county, Peraica argued.
Even without the ZIP codes, Peraica said the database is helpful so the public can see what county workers earn.
The Web site received more than 5,500 visits as of late afternoon Wednesday.
“I think that information is power, and I think it has started a lot of useful discussion,” Peraica said. “I think the public has a right to know and should know.”
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mciokajlo@tribune.com
