Dart May Cut Anti-Graffiti Unit To Slash Budget
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is spelling out some of the ways he intends to cut his budget to help the county get its financial house in order.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bernie Tafoya reports, Dart says one of the ways he plans to cut spending is by eliminating his Anti-Graffiti Unit. The eight-member unit travels from suburb to suburb blasting away graffiti.
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Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri (R-9th) is also the mayor of near west suburban Elmwood Park. He says the decision will leave many suburban mayors unhappy.
"Sheriff Dart, you're going to really break the hearts of all the suburban mayors with that graffiti unit," Silvestri said."It's just easier for one central agency to do it."
"I know," Dart said.
Dart and Silvestri agree that maybe something could be worked out to have the sheriff's Anti-Graffiti Unit paid for by the 120 suburbs that receive its services.
Dart also suggests saving money by eliminating weekend bond court in the suburban courthouses – in Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview and Markham – and turning over janitorial services in county buildings to another agency.
For weekend bond court, Dart believes that it can be handled at one location – the Cook County Criminal Courthouse at 26th Street and California Avenue.
Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans would have to approve cutting a court call.
Since her November election, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said 16 percent cuts across countywide are necessary to plug a $487 million deficit this year.
In presenting her budget proposal Tuesday after Preckwinkle's orders were issued, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez proposed cuts to her office that would result in more than 150 layoffs, including dozens of prosecutors.
The Chicago Sun-Times contributed to this report, via the Sun-Times Media Wire
