Comments on: The “President of Cook County” http://www.chicagocarless.com/2008/02/09/the-president-of-cook-county/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-president-of-cook-county My off-road journey to Judaism Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:03:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Charles McPhate http://www.chicagocarless.com/2008/02/09/the-president-of-cook-county/comment-page-1/#comment-809 Charles McPhate Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:14:18 +0000 http://www.chicagocarless.com/wp/?p=296#comment-809 I feel compelled to point out that in Louisiana (where I spent the first 28 years of my life before moving to Chicago), the parishes (Louisiana-speak for counties) actually do have presidents -- not merely board presidents. In fact, the mayor of state capital Baton Rouge actually holds the title of mayor-president because he's mayor of Baton Rouge and president of East Baton Rouge Parish. The city and the unincorporated areas of the parish are governed by a single body called the Metropolitan Council. The council has its own president. The relationship between the council and the mayor-president is similar to that of the Chicago mayor and the city council (sans the acrimony/rubber-stamping). Why do I explain this? Because I'm curious to know why Chicago and Cook county don't have a combined governing body. Cook County is dominated by Chicago, just as East Baton Rouge Parish is dominated by Baton Rouge. Ever since I moved here almost six years ago, I've thought it strange that Cook County has a separate governing body. It seemed to me such a waste of resources -- and the past year has proven that out. I say combine the city council and county board, and finish sending at least one political family to its grave. I feel compelled to point out that in Louisiana (where I spent the first 28 years of my life before moving to Chicago), the parishes (Louisiana-speak for counties) actually do have presidents — not merely board presidents.

In fact, the mayor of state capital Baton Rouge actually holds the title of mayor-president because he’s mayor of Baton Rouge and president of East Baton Rouge Parish. The city and the unincorporated areas of the parish are governed by a single body called the Metropolitan Council. The council has its own president. The relationship between the council and the mayor-president is similar to that of the Chicago mayor and the city council (sans the acrimony/rubber-stamping).

Why do I explain this? Because I’m curious to know why Chicago and Cook county don’t have a combined governing body. Cook County is dominated by Chicago, just as East Baton Rouge Parish is dominated by Baton Rouge. Ever since I moved here almost six years ago, I’ve thought it strange that Cook County has a separate governing body. It seemed to me such a waste of resources — and the past year has proven that out.

I say combine the city council and county board, and finish sending at least one political family to its grave.

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.chicagocarless.com/2008/02/09/the-president-of-cook-county/comment-page-1/#comment-808 Cheryl Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:17:06 +0000 http://www.chicagocarless.com/wp/?p=296#comment-808 It's llike having our very own personal GWB. We can impeach this one, right? It’s llike having our very own personal GWB.

We can impeach this one, right?

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