“I see Cook County as having four obligations.  Our government must keep the people safe, provide for a healthy community, tax and spend wisely, and meet a minimum standard of ethical decency.  These final two proposals, added with my other two previous proposals, explain how I will meet those obligations,” said Garrido.

The “Community and Corrections Initiative” will consolidate Forest Preserve police with the county sheriff, emphasize rehabilitation for non-violent offenders, move to legalize concealed carry laws for Cook County gun owners, and create an independent corrections board, among other reforms.

“All other candidates in this election propose status quo solutions to our County’s problems.  The only reform that my opponent proposes in this primary is to give GEDs to temporary detainees.  I commend him on his effort, but it’s just not enough to truly reform a corrupted system.  Giving inmates GEDs will not stem patronage corruption that has hampered the functioning of our system.”

The “Public Service Initiative” will expand the inspector general’s office, disclose all Shakman exempt hires, devolve authority to the Human Resources department, hire a full-time non-exempt compliance officer, and publish detailed investigation reports by the Office of Independent Inspector General, among other reforms.

“Once again, I’m the only one truly committed to reform.  Of all the candidates in this election, I am the only one that has detailed how deep my ethics reforms go, and why they are necessary.  We need systematic changes, which my proposals do, in addition to hiring more investigative personnel.  It’s time we prevent corruption instead of merely responding to it.”

Garrido has released four different initiatives during the primary campaign.  They deal with the health care network, the Cook County budget and taxes, the public safety system, and government ethics.  He has called the four his “Fresh Start Initiatives,” and emphasizes that he is the only Republican in this race to propose reforms aimed at truly bringing a fresh start to Cook County.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to receive the endorsements of both Tax Accountability and the United Hellenic Voters of America. The endorsements of these two organizations represent the best qualities of this campaign, and what it will take to win in Cook County.”

“Higher taxes have funded patronage hiring and waste, instead of improving public services. The Taxpayer Accountability endorsement represents their belief that I am a candidate who can be trusted to actually lower taxes and put the interests of the taxpayer first.”

“I’ve said from the beginning that in order for the Republican Party to be successful in Cook County, it must put forth diverse candidates capable of reaching out to the majority of voters; not just the elite few. The United Hellenic Voters of America recognize that Cook County is an ethnically diverse community, and that I am a candidate reflective of that diversity.”

Attempts to try and make me look like a Democrat based on my primary voting record are laughable. I am a Republican, have always been a Republican, and will always remain a Republican.

I have voted in two Democratic primaries. In 2008, I joined over 100,000 Republicans in Ohio, 119,000 in Texas, and 38,000 in Mississippi who voted for Hillary Clinton to put Republicans in the best position to win in the general election. I also voted for an Assistant State’s Attorney and friend running as a Democrat who was more than qualified for judge.

I joined the Chicago Young Republicans in 2002, donated money to President Bush in 2004, organized hundreds of off-duty police officers to assist Tony Peraica in 2006, and voted in the 5th Congressional Republican Special Primary in 2009.

Given that my opponent lost his last election to a Democrat as a fourteen year incumbent in a predominately Republican district, I understand why some of his supporters may be concerned about my candidacy. However, I would hope this election focuses on the real reasons why we’re preferable as candidates, instead of spreading conjecture and innuendo to confuse voters.

I’m still the only candidate that has presented detailed plans to improve Cook County government. I’m the only Republican that can appeal to the diverse voting community in Cook County, and defeat any Democrat that wins the primary.

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“Companies are cutting back their expenditures, and people are losing their jobs. It’s disgusting that during that same time, the government is raising their taxes and wasting that money. I intend to act more responsibly than the current administration and the other candidates,” said Garrido.

“I’m proposing a comprehensive reform plan that focuses on using two principles in budget and tax policy. The first is honesty. In order to produce an honest budget and honest taxes, I intend to do four things: pass a Taxpayer Bill of Rights that takes tax increases out of the hands of self-serving politicians, post the County’s check register online, hold open forum budget reviews, and meet clear performance baselines in budgeting.”

According to the Civic Federation, the FY2010 budget proposed by Todd Stroger increased operating appropriations by 4.5% over FY2009, and the FY2010 budget increases full-time employees by another 135.9 positions under Special Purposes Funds. Additionally, the county gave only nine working days for the public to review and comment on the proposed FY2010 budget.

Garrido highlighted the second principle of efficiency by proposing to immediately roll back the county sales tax to three-quarters percent, cap the property tax levy at $600 million, and reducing spending between ten to fifty percent among Cook County agencies.

“What we need is a comprehensive approach to reforming Cook County government. Unfortunately, it’s now time to take drastic steps in doing so, simply because the current administration has failed the people of Cook County. I’m not even sure the other candidates in this elections are in any way willing to make such proposals, which shows their lack of dedication to true reform,” said Garrido.

“I eagerly await the opportunity to help create a county which attracts businesses and jobs, instead of pushing them away. Our
communities in the county need real opportunity, and their government is consistently standing in the way. I’m dedicated to reforming Cook County, and my aggressive budget and tax reforms are evidence of that.”

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For more information about John Garrido or his campaign to bring a fresh start to Cook County, please contact Robert Lee by cellular phone at (815) 347-0294, by email at media@garrido2010.com, or by visiting http://www.garrido2010.com.