Cook Co. Board Votes to Limit President's Contract Power

Chicago - At the Cook County Board meeting Tuesday, Board President Todd Stroger was in the hot seat.

FOX Chicago News has been investigating under-the-radar contracts handed out to Stroger allies since he lost the democratic primary, and the board was not happy with the results.

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ADDITIONAL COVERAGE:

EXPERT: Peraica: US Atty Should Investigate Stroger

STORY: Another Questionable Stroger Contract Discovered

LINK: Documents Outlining Bora Planning Contract

STORY: Contract: Stroger Aide Steered Money to Her Own Company

STORY: Todd Stroger Employee's Firm Awarded County Contract

LINK: Documents outlining the CGC contract

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The board voted to strip Stroger of his authority to approve contracts 16 to one, with one board member saying the actions of the Cook County Board President had made the body look like dumb and dumber.

Stroger is being investigated for questionable deals. There are allegations he approved two contracts, one for a county employee and one for a campaign worker, at dollar amounts just below the mandatory reporting threshold of $25,000.

The board approved new rules that reduce the reporting threshold to $750, meaning any contract over that amount would have to be reported to the board.

Tony Peraica accused Stroger of handing out gifts to friends and cronies at the meeting.

Stroger said any contracts of that nature were unintentional.

“Unfortunately commissioner, you know not of what you speak, which is nothing new. I always look out for the taxpayers’ money first and foremost. Any contracts that are given out are given to reputable companies. No contracts are given to anyone with the knowledge they work here. That won't happen as long as we know it. Sometimes mistakes are made,” Stroger said.

Stroger did acknowledge after the meeting that his Deputy Chief of Staff, Carla Oglesby, is now on unpaid leave as the Inpsector General investigates a contract paid to her company, CGC Communications.

Commissioner Bill Beavers was the only person to vote against the measure.

"I don't see how Cook County is going to operate if they have to come to us anything over $750," he said. "I think it's ridiculous."