Cook County gov't exposes corruption when politically expedient

In Harvey, the Cook County Sheriff and State's Attorney have been investigating and prosecuting cases neglected by the Harvey PD. See Chicago Tribune (Matt Walberg).

There's also video of the WGN-9 coverage, which includes Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart saying:

There is no safe harbor in this county. There are not towns where you can go to commit crimes and you can walk away from it. Whereever it is in the county we will collectively work together to ensure that all the citizens of the county get the same type of law enforcement protection that they deserve.

The village of Harvey alleges county officials are showboating to help the candidacy of First Assistant State's Attorney Bob Milan, who is running for State's Attorney.

The Trib article does make it sound like Harvey's PD was just taking paychecks without doing the work.

Cook County law-enforcement officials Tuesday announced indictments in two more cold-case murders stemming from a raid on the Harvey Police Department this year, and said they also are investigating about 200 rape kits found in the suburb's evidence vault, many of which were never sent to the state crime lab.

I have a little trouble with the State's Attorney's office getting too sanctimonious about law enforcement not doing their jobs. In my view, the corruption in Proviso Township is abetted by the State's Attorney and his assistants.

So, I can see Dick Devine and Bob Milan making the following political calculation.

If the South Side Blacks are going to run Ald. Howard Brookins against Milan in the primary then why not prosecute a Black suburban village allied with Brookins allies? It's not like Milan would risk losing votes to prosecute crooked cops in Harvey. It gets Milan's mug on TV. And it makes it look like he's the type of guy to stand up to corruption.

Sheriff Tom Dart argues prostitution is not a victimless crime

The Cook County Sheriff arrested 250 in a prostitution sweep. See Daily Herald (Rob Olmstead).

“There’s still some people that are deluded into thinking prostitution is a victimless crime,” said Dart, who said that’s simply not true.

Dart then goes on to explain how street prostitution adversely affects communities and gave an example of a prostitute leaving her 1-year baby unattended to turn a trick.

But the operation also targeted prostitutes advertising on "a popular free Web bulletin board" (presumably Craigslist).

The article does not include any statements by Dart that make the case that women (and men) who voluntarily turn a trick now-and-then to help get extra money or for the thrill of it are harming anyone else.

It's interesting that news articles now include the sheriff having to argue that arresting prostitutes is worth the effort. It does seem that there's a change in thinking happening.

Medill Reports (Jacqueline A. Ingles) included this tidbit.

A high number of women charged with prostitution via craigslist were not residents of Chicago. Rather, they came here with round-trip airline tickets from as far away as California to engage in prostitution to evade the risk of embarrassment associated with arrest in their hometowns.

“There was a desire [among these women] to conduct these activities away from their hometown,” Dart said. “Most would come here and stay for a month and then go back.”

GOV, county craziness

Chicago Tribune has a list of fees the county will probably enact to raise revenue.

The committee also recommended increasing environmental impact fees. Board members rejected taxes on ammunition and sport-utility vehicles.

Chicago Tribune (Mickey Ciokajlo):

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger refused to say Tuesday whether he would veto a property tax increase if board members approve one to help fill the county's current budget hole.

ABC7 (Charles Thomas):

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is proposing some ideas to generate revenue for the county as it faces a $500 million budget deficit. The sheriff wants criminals to pay to be locked up and to foot the bill for their own medical expenses. It is an idea that is getting some support.

Don't people usually end up in county jail because they are too poor to make bail? Are there criminals declining to make bail so they can get medical care for free?

Downstate, the much smaller Kankakee County Jail has raised of hundreds of thousands of dollars with booking and bond fees and inmate medical co-pays. The 40 times larger Cook County Jail, with an average of well over 10,000 inmates a day, could be a mother lode for revenue-starved county commissioners.

Commissioners Claypool and Sims seem to like the idea of charging people in the jail.

BTW, if the individuals get found not guilty will they get their fees refunded?

Neil Steinberg (Sun-Times) has an anecdote about Todd Stroger's sister getting busted for smoking in the bathroom at 26th and California.

In a way it seems petty since the smoking restriction is... imperfectly enforced at that facility anyway. But if Stroger and Beavers answer to everyone is "we have the power that allows us not to care what you think" then you can expect columnists like Steinberg to take the opportunity to be petty.

BTW, Todd Stroger was the one official to get booed at the Obama announcement at the UIC Pavilion.

Add more county craziness in the comments.

KLEPT, Commissioner Beavers accused of illegal Machine tactics

Sun-Times (Steve Patterson & Steve Warmbir):

Cook County Sheriff's Sgt. Sammie L. Young Jr. sued Beavers in federal court along with Sheriff Tom Dart, alleging he was demoted after refusing to look the other way when two deputies allegedly did illegal campaign work for Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and Beavers.

What's Beavers say?

"And how that sombitch came in my office asking me to get him a promotion. He said he was there to volunteer for Todd, but he never did do s---."

How does Young respond?

As for Young, Pasley said her client never went to Beavers for a promotion. He was already a superintendent and is retiring this year.

I suppose it's possible Young was angling for some sweetheart deal after retirement.

But it's possible Beavers Machine-style politics crossed the line separating that which is legal from that which is illegal.