Rev. Jesse Jackson said something Monday that should be obvious to everyone. He said it with respect for John Stroger … and for the people of Cook County.
Jackson said it’s time for the public to know the true nature of the health of the president of the Cook County Board. It is time to move on the process of choosing new leadership if John Stroger is unable and will be unable to serve.
It has been 12 weeks to the day since Stroger suffered a serious stroke. The Tribune reported last Friday that Stroger is mentally aware but in poorer physical condition than those close to him have revealed. Stroger has made no public comment. It is a broad assumption in local politics that Stroger will have to step down. The prevailing belief: If he were fit, he would have told us by now.
“We need a definitive statement from a medical doctor or from him on his status and his viability to serve,” Jackson told the Tribune editorial board. “We deserve to know John’s status. … If he’s able to serve, he should continue. … The public deserves the right to learn.”
There are moves in county government to demand some information on Stroger’s condition. There are moves to address a leadership vacancy. They are all being done in an atmosphere of mystery. Meanwhile, county government faces critical decisions on health care, on public safety, on a huge, pending budget deficit. And voters face an election in November to choose a president of the Cook County Board.
Jesse Jackson speaks for many people on this. They deserve to know who is and will be running the county’s government.
