CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica issued the following statement regarding today’s failure by the Cook County Board to override President Todd Stroger’s veto of the fifty-cent rollback in the county sales tax:

“Today’s vote is a travesty for the Cook County taxpayers and employers who are being unnecessarily punished by this oppressive tax in a down economy.

“Shame on those commissioners who upheld Stroger’s veto – - especially Commissioner Sims, who flipped her position to become the deciding vote in support of this tax.  With portions of our county having the highest tax rate in the country, it’s no wonder that our local economy is suffering so badly. Who in his or her right mind would want to make the situation worse?

“We already have a record number of bankruptcies and foreclosures and a deteriorating economy. The commissioners who upheld this oppressive sales tax increase showed that they care less about these struggling taxpayers, and more about protecting Todd Stroger’s political organization.”

Tony Peraica has served as the commissioner for the west suburban 16th District since 2002.  An attorney and small business owner, Peraica resides in Riverside, with a district office in Westchester.  Visit his official Web site at www.CommissionerPeraica.com.