McHenry County Blog

This past Friday there were stories in the Chicago Sun-Times and Tribune about the request by David Koschman’s mother for a Cook County Special Prosecutor to be named by Judge Michael Toomin.

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez argues that any misconduct is on the part of Chicago Police, not her office.

It caught my interest because of McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Zane Seipler’s effort to get a Special Prosecutor named to investigate whether his 2010 GOP primary election opponent Sheriff Keith Nygren used taxpayer resources to advance his political aspirations.

Association Judge Thomas Meyer has scheduled a trial April 25th to take evidence of whether McHenry County State’s Attorney is “available” to investigate allegations made against Nygren.

Meyer is not interested in seeing evidence about any alleged crimes, saying that job is for the Special Prosecutor, if he names one.

Cook County Judge Toomin, on the other hand, is looking at the evidence.

In Cook County, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez argues that her office has no problem investigating the allegation that former Mayor Richard Daley’s nephew R.J. Vanecko deserved to be indicted for having killed Koschman.

How different from McHenry County’s situation.

Both the Cook County State’s Attorney and the United States Attorney have taken an interest in the overpayment of former Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano.

First to serve a subpoena was the State’s Attorney. You see it below (click to enlarge):

Requested were personnel records back to January 1, 2000. Interestingly, the documents says,

“Your (sic) are not to disclose the existence of this request.”

Phil Pagano

Since I got the May 5th record through the Freedom of Information Act, I guess it trumps the instruction on the subpoena.

The U.S. Attorney’s subpoena was dated May 20th.

It asks for “all computers, cellular telephones and/or handheld communications devices and any related computer media that Metra issued to Phil Pagano during his tenure at Metra,” plus his personnel file in a separate subpoena.

This press release announcing Tony Peraica’s candidacy for the Republican nomination for State’s Attorney just arrived.

Can you imagine what a difference a corruption-busting Cook County State’s Attorney might make?

Peraica Announces Candidacy
for Cook County State’s Attorney
Will Use Subpoena Power to Investigate,
Prosecute Political Insiders Who Profit
at Expense of County Residents and Taxpayers

CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today announced that he will be the reform candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney in 2008.

“It’s time for Cook County to have a State’s Attorney who puts public safety over politics and prosecutes the rampant corruption fraud that benefits political insiders at the expense of hard-working county residents and taxpayers,” said Peraica. “We will audit the books, lock up the crooks, and restore accountability to an office that has failed to protect and serve the people of Cook County.”

As Cook County Commissioner, Tony Peraica has been the county’s leading voice for reform. He opposed Todd Stroger’s recent budget, which protected the county’s patronage armies at the expense of vital health clinics and frontline health and public safety workers. He has uncovered millions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse – and continues his “Sunlight Project” that includes posting the salaries of county employees online – www.CookEmployees.com – for ready public access.

Peraica will focus on bringing accountability to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. He will:

• Fight corruption and fraud in county government;
• Protect our children from predators and offenders;
• Provide superior services to crime victims;
• Strengthen timely prosecution of serious crimes;
• Enforce laws uniformly – free of political influence;
• Protect seniors and the disabled from fraud and scams;
• Audit the books and restore accountability to the office.

“Public safety is our first priority,” said Peraica. “And that includes using our subpoena power to investigate and prosecute those political insiders who profit from taxpayer money that should be going to protect and serve the more than 3 million residents of Cook County.”

A true American success story, Peraica came to America at the age of 13, after losing both of his parents, and unable to speak a word of English. Despite his circumstances, Tony persevered and lived the great American success story. Now a successful attorney, business owner and Cook County Commissioner – Tony is committed to reforming Cook County government to put an end to the rampant waste, fraud and corruption that enriches political insiders at the expense of Cook County residents and taxpayers.

This press release announcing Tony Peraica’s candidacy for the Republican nomination for State’s Attorney just arrived.

Can you imagine what a difference a corruption-busting Cook County State’s Attorney might make?

Peraica Announces Candidacy
for Cook County State’s Attorney
Will Use Subpoena Power to Investigate,
Prosecute Political Insiders Who Profit
at Expense of County Residents and Taxpayers

CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today announced that he will be the reform candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney in 2008.

“It’s time for Cook County to have a State’s Attorney who puts public safety over politics and prosecutes the rampant corruption fraud that benefits political insiders at the expense of hard-working county residents and taxpayers,” said Peraica. “We will audit the books, lock up the crooks, and restore accountability to an office that has failed to protect and serve the people of Cook County.”

As Cook County Commissioner, Tony Peraica has been the county’s leading voice for reform. He opposed Todd Stroger’s recent budget, which protected the county’s patronage armies at the expense of vital health clinics and frontline health and public safety workers. He has uncovered millions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse – and continues his “Sunlight Project” that includes posting the salaries of county employees online – www.CookEmployees.com – for ready public access.

Peraica will focus on bringing accountability to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. He will:

• Fight corruption and fraud in county government;
• Protect our children from predators and offenders;
• Provide superior services to crime victims;
• Strengthen timely prosecution of serious crimes;
• Enforce laws uniformly – free of political influence;
• Protect seniors and the disabled from fraud and scams;
• Audit the books and restore accountability to the office.

“Public safety is our first priority,” said Peraica. “And that includes using our subpoena power to investigate and prosecute those political insiders who profit from taxpayer money that should be going to protect and serve the more than 3 million residents of Cook County.”

A true American success story, Peraica came to America at the age of 13, after losing both of his parents, and unable to speak a word of English. Despite his circumstances, Tony persevered and lived the great American success story. Now a successful attorney, business owner and Cook County Commissioner – Tony is committed to reforming Cook County government to put an end to the rampant waste, fraud and corruption that enriches political insiders at the expense of Cook County residents and taxpayers.

Just a day before Cook County State’s Attorney Dick Devine announced that he was not running for a fourth term, Republican Party Commissioner Tony Peraica was courting folks at the Family PAC cruise on a boat within sight of Navy Pier.

Now, speculation is high that the lawyer will announce for Cook County State’s Attorney tomorrow. Here’s the press release I received:

Peraica to Announce 2008 Plans on Tuesday

Press Conference Followed by Evening Rally in Franklin Park

CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica will announce his plans for 2008 during a series of events on Tuesday, August 14.

He will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. in the 5th floor atrium of the Cook County Board building. He will also hold a rally event with supporters at Pescatore Palace restaurant in Franklin Park, IL. Members of the media are invited to both events.

Just a day before Cook County State’s Attorney Dick Devine announced that he was not running for a fourth term, Republican Party Commissioner Tony Peraica was courting folks at the Family PAC cruise on a boat within sight of Navy Pier.

Now, speculation is high that the lawyer will announce for Cook County State’s Attorney tomorrow. Here’s the press release I received:

Peraica to Announce 2008 Plans on Tuesday

Press Conference Followed by Evening Rally in Franklin Park

CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica will announce his plans for 2008 during a series of events on Tuesday, August 14.

He will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. in the 5th floor atrium of the Cook County Board building. He will also hold a rally event with supporters at Pescatore Palace restaurant in Franklin Park, IL. Members of the media are invited to both events.