Several Cook County commissioners said Friday the time is fast approaching for board President John Stroger and his family to announce whether he will remain in office or retire following his serious stroke.
The commissioners stepped up their pressure following a Tribune report that Stroger’s health is more fragile than his family or county officials had previously revealed.
“It’s something the family should be prepared to say in the very near future,” said Commissioner Bobbie Steele (D-Chicago), who declined to issue an exact deadline.
Ald. Todd Stroger (8th) reiterated Friday that he expected a decision sometime in July, a timeframe that he has generally held to for the last several weeks following his father’s March 14 stroke.
Steele, who has expressed interest in Stroger’s job should he step aside, said she thought a statement from Stroger should come this month. She said an … announcement could help the family by ending the continual questions about the president’s health.
“It would relieve them of the pressure, and it would also relieve the public from speculating on what the future holds,” Steele said. “I don’t want to put pressure on them. … It’s a very sensitive issue.”
Stroger, 77, suffered a serious stroke one week before he was renominated for a fourth term.
Sources have told the Tribune that while he is mentally aware, Stroger’s physical condition is more fragile than has been previously indicated. He is unable to turn himself in bed, requires round-the-clock attention and is being fed through a tube.
Stroger’s chief of staff, James Whigham, has insisted that Stroger is in charge of the county although he has refused to provide details.
County Commissioner Tony Peraica, Stroger’s Republican opponent in the November election, said he wanted to hear some answers about Stroger’s condition at next week’s board meeting.
“We don’t really know what his condition is,” Peraica said.
Commissioner Gregg Goslin (R-Glenview), who has had a good working relationship with Stroger, said with the 2007 budget season on the horizon the pressure is “beginning to percolate.”
Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) said if there’s no news soon, an ordinance could be drafted modeled after the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which spells out the temporary transfer of presidential power.
“The 20th [of June] will be the seventh meeting that he’s missed if he’s not there, and that’s an appropriate time for a discussion,” Suffredin said.
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mciokajlo@tribune.com
