PULLING UP A CHAIR
It’s a go! Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who handily won re- election despite the soda tax imbroglio, has decided to seek the chairmanship of the Cook County Dem party— an office now held by ousted Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, who may be stepping down.
“I think that’s a safe bet,” said a Preckwinkle source.
Ironically, Preckwinkle publicly seemed to stick behind Berrios, who wound up getting his clock cleaned during allegations of property tax unfairness and ethics challenges. Berrios lost his bid to primary challenger Fritz Kaegi.
As first reported by Sneed, Preckwinkle, who is now vice chair of the County Dem party, gave her thumbs- up to run as “chair” of the Dem County party Friday afternoon.
“It’s time to keep the spot gender neutral,” quipped the source.
In a press release issued later Friday formalizing her decision to run, Preckwinkle followed up the “gender neutral” category by stating: “To keep Cook County moving forward, we must also reject politics as usual. Our Democratic Party cannot and must not be a Good Old Boys Club.”
“Women, working people, young people, and communities of color are leading the grassroots resistance to Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda. It is past time that we had a party where their voices are truly heard and their contributions are truly valued.”
Preckwinkle also emphasized she was seeking the Dem party leadership spot in April “at a time when Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington are trying to take our country backward,” also noting it “is critical that Cook County has leaders who are committed to moving our communities forward.”
Committed to building a “modern party” representing diversity, Preckwinkle also stated: “Lasting change comes from bottom up— not the top down. We will work to bring new people into the process and empower activists throughout the county and give them the tools they need to lead change.
“Our party’s future will be powered not by specialinterest money and career politicians, but by grassroots organizing and ordinary citizens.
Earlier this week, Preckwinkle handily beat her challenger, ex- Ald. Bob Fioretti, in the race for Cook County Board president. Preckwinkle got about 60 percent of the vote, compared with about 40 percent for Fioretti.
Preckwinkle won despite her push for the controversial pop tax, which was eventually rolled back.
It’s been reported Preckwinkle has said this term will be her last. Hmm. . . and oh? Stay tuned.