Todd Stroger on local politics, his time in office

Todd Stroger on local politics, his time in office

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Listen to the interview with Todd Stroger and Steve Edwards

Todd Stroger says he’s been “doing a lot of little things” since leaving office a little over a year ago, but mostly, he’s been working in logistics, the former Cook County Board President told Afternoon Shift host Steve Edwards Tuesday afternoon. Stroger appeared on the Afternoon Shift to talk about life after the Cook County Board as well as the state of local politics.

During the conversation, Stroger voiced complaints about his successor, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.  He gave her a “D” for her work leading the county thus far, and was critical of Preckwinkle’s handling of overcrowding issues at the Cook County morgue. He also critiqued her management style. “She is not as hands-on as I am,” Stroger said.

Stroger and Edwards also talked about the criminalization of politics.  While Stroger does believe some oversight is necessary, he said it’s hard to deduce the real intent behind conversations from listening to recorded wiretaps.  He cited former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich as an example of this.  “I think he broke some laws, but I don’t think he broke anything that they convicted him for,” Stroger explained.

Stroger ally and Cook County Board Commissioner William Beavers was recently indicted on federal tax charges, although Beavers claims the charges come as retaliation for not wanting to wear a wire. Stroger said that although he does know Beavers well, he doesn’t know anything about the indictment. “I have no reason to disbelieve him. He usually tells the truth, which is why a lot of people don’t like him.”