Cut the Patronage Pit

Set priorities within the $3 billion budget to run Cook County. Good editorial from the Sun Times encouraging commissioners to stick to their no new taxes pledge:

Their job would be easier if employers and taxpayers now dreading the arrival of new property tax bills were as vocal in demanding a leaner Cook County as are all the people who want taxes to rise. It's the latter group that hopes to own this budget debate: Public hearings for all citizens are being hijacked by county employees giving noble testament to how indispensable they are. Read the news coverage: Stroger and several reformers on the board stand almost alone. Where are the business groups and fed-up citizens who can't take one more Cook County tax increase?

Holding off on new car purchases sounds like a no brainer. And we've seen the pictures of picketers outside some health facilities, but the Sun Times point out this:

The most controversial cuts are proposed at what's long been the county's most slovenly patronage pit, its Bureau of Health.

Our bet is that few of the critics have taken a close look at the overhaul proposed by Dr. Robert Simon, who heads the bureau. Simon was asked for cost cuts yet also delivered what looks like a smart re-engineering of a budget he wishes could be far larger. Example: The organization chart Simon inherited had 24 administrative categories at the county's clinic system. His new chart has 10.

Cut the patronage pit and take this rare opportunity to focus and streamline services, so that they are worth it, where they are most needed.