May 16th - Quigley accuses Todd Stroger of ignoring, altering budget

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is thumbing his nose at the budget approved by the County Board two months ago and is spending money as he wishes, officials complained Tuesday.

Commissioner Mike Quigley, who supported Stroger's massive cutting plan, now says he was duped. He claimed Stroger has made at least $20 million in unauthorized moves since the board passed a $3 billion budget, while other demands the board approved are being ignored, he said.

Concern is building among other commissioners that Stroger won't follow through on a promise to provide parity raises for state's attorneys, while assessor's employees still haven't been added to the payroll as ordered.

New top Stroger assistant Rich Velazquez acknowledged changes have been made to the budget since the board vote but said they are "not substantive in nature." He was unable to address Quigley's breakdown of broken budget promises.