McHenry County Blog

Until I read it in Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown’s column today, I didn’t realize that the Cook County sales tax fight is racial.

Talking about the possibility of a veto, Brown writes,

“That’s unlikely given the current split, now breaking down along racial lines. All the African-American commissioners either backed Stroger or voted present, while all the white commissioners opposed him.

“The two Hispanic commissioners split, with Joseph Mario Moreno backtracking from his earlier vote to repeal the tax increase, which was a flip-flop from his original support for the tax.”

At least that’s the way it appears when one looks at the article on the facing page. (Click to enlarge.)

Take a look at the faces voting to repeal Todd Storger’s sales tax.

They are all white.

Stroger’s supporters are all African-Americans, except one.

The difference, of course, is that the Northwest Herald cares not one wit that Mayor Aaron Shepley and his city council (minus Jeff Thorsen) raised the Crystal Lake city sales tax 75%.

Maybe if newspapers were taxed as they are in other states, the NW Herald would have cared.

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You see the Chicago Tribune’s front page article about Todd Stroger’s veto of the Cook County sales tax repeal on top and it editorial below.

At the bottom of the editorial, you can see that it has been 316 days since Todd Stroger’s sales tax hike went into effect.

Coincidentally, it has also been 316 days since Mayor Aaron Shepley’s 75% Crystal Lake city sales tax took effect.

Reminded by today’s Chicago Tribune editorial page, I pass on this reminder to you.

How different has been the Chicago Tribune’s reaction to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s sales tax increase last July 1st from that of the Northwest Herald to Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Sehpley’s July 1st tax hike.

Not only is the Tribune on Stroger’s back, but so is the Chicago Sun-Times.

Just take a look at the modification of the stars on the Chicago flag Tom Frisbie created, complete with scull and crossbones.

Piracy also occurred to this Crystal Lake blogger and Heck of a Guy blogger Allan Showalter, who created this Crystal Lake pirate ship.