County board overrides Stroger's tax cut veto

Chicago, IL - Cook County commissioners today voted to roll back part of a sales tax increase despite an impassioned plea from Board President Todd Stroger that "some people will die needlessly" if health care for the poor is cut as a result.

The County Board voted 12-5 to override Stroger's veto of a measure that would cut the county portion of the sales tax from 1.75 percent to 1.25 percent on July 1. The overall sales tax rate in Chicago would drop to 9.75 percent.

After the vote, Stroger said he is still considering a lawsuit to preserve the tax increase. Commissioners were able to override his veto after a new state law cut the number of votes required to do so from 14 to 11.

"That may actually happen," Stroger said of a potential suit. "It's my opinion that this should not happen in the middle of anyone's term -- changing the rules."