Better Government Association

Investigation Reveals Non-Essential Cook County Workers Get Cars

July 24, 2008

Is it a requirement of the job, or an expensive perk? Fox News and the Better Government Association have obtained a partial list of employees who are taking home County cars. Commissioner Forrest Claypool says, "Cars have long been a political perk for connected people. It's one of the candy store goodies politicians love to give out."

While more than a thousand County cars are assigned to law enforcement and emergency responders, others are being given to politically-connected workers and big campaign contributors. Jay Stewart with the Better Government Association said one name stuck out -- the law librarian, Bennie Martin. Martin is a steady contributor to the 8th Ward Democratic organization as well as the late Cook County president, John Stroger and his son, current president Todd Stroger. Stewart says he was "stupefied" that the librarian needed a car adding, "I can literally not think of a single legitimate reason, what there was an emergency law review article you have to file in the middle of the night? I don't think so!"

Other employees also have take-home cars. Bruce Washington is the director of Capital Planning and a long-time Stroger family friend. James D'Amico is the assistant director of Facilities Management and brother of a state representative and nephew of an alderman. Neither man had any comment. New County Comptroller, John Morales says he needs a car because he also has financial duties at Stroger Hospital. Still others say they are on call 24-hours a day and need to be able to take a county car home. Highway Administrator Augie Olivo has a car. He is the brother of 13th ward alderman Frank Olivo. Jail Business Manager, Bryon Steele also takes home a car. He is the son of former Board president, Bobbie Steele and brother of Commissioner, Robert Steele. Robert Steele says his brother is on 24-hour call, so if anything goes wrong at the jail, he has to be responsible for getting back to the jail to make sure it's taken care of right away."

Cook County Chief Financial Officer, Donna Dunnings says she plans to conduct a through review of who's getting take-home cars and tighten standards. She says politics should have nothing to do with who gets a car, "Because one is born into a family that is political that does not mean they are not qualified or they shouldn't be given whatever is needed to perform that assignment.

Dunnings, herself part of a political family says she does not have a take-home car.