The dispute over cost-of-living raises for thousands of non-union Cook County workers is over. In recent weeks, the pay dispute had many county employees up in arms—particularly prosecutors in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Chicago Public Radio’s Ben Calhoun reports.
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Before today, commissioners and prosecutors were putting pressure on Cook County Board President Todd Stroger to deliver the cost-of-living raises.
Stroger resisted, saying he’d promised the raises, but never said when he’d make good on his promise.
STROGER: I’m not going to spend money I don’t have.
Even today, Stroger said if it hadn’t been for a windfall court settlement, the deal would have never happened.
STROGER: If we didn’t have the money, they’d still be out there on the streets making noise.
Meantime, people who’d been putting heat on Stroger, like State’s Attorney Dick Devine, tried to put any bad blood in the past.
DEVINE: The back and forth that happened in the past couple weeks is a natural part of discussions and negotiations.
Devine’s employees are among more than 6,000 non-union employees who will get raises.
Today’s deal might not be the end of it.
Stroger and other officials hinted that tax hikes may be necessary to sustain the raises.
I’m Ben Calhoun, Chicago Public Radio.