County commissioner, 1st (D): Derrick Smith

We’ve endorsed Earlean Collins in this district in the past, and we like some of the things she’s focused on: job development, improving mental health treatment, and affordable housing.

The 2008 Cook County sales tax increase that made our taxes the highest in the nation is a huge issue, and she literally has been on all sides of it, voting for it in 2008, “present” in May 2009 (meaning no vote), and against it in December 2009.

When the tax was instituted, Collins did little to inform the community about it ahead of time, despite the fact that one of her issues is “transparency in government.” We would have been happier had she held some community forums about it ahead of time. Taxes for us, but no belt-tightening for her. In 2007, she asked to cut her own budget only 1.5% instead of the board-mandated 17%. Her opponents are technology manager Chris Harris, architect Adekunle Onayemi, and Secretary of State’s Office accounting revenue officer Derrick Smith.

Time for a change here, and Smith is the best choice. He would aggressively address the county’s foreclosure and predatory lending crisis and work for prompt collection of money owed the county. He also would work to attract new business to the county and increase residents’ access to health care.

The Gazette endorses Derrick Smith for Cook County commissioner in the 1st District Democratic primary.

County commissioner, 2nd (D): Robert Steele

Candidates in this race are Frank Bass, a legislative liaison for County Board President Todd Stroger; attorney Desiree Grode; incumbent Robert Steele; and unknown Erold Elysse.

We don’t need Stroger’s candidate Bass or ghost candidate Elysse, so the race comes down to Steele and Grode. Incumbent Robert Steele voted in December to repeal the county’s highest-in-the-nation sales tax. He meets with the public regularly, and serves as a voice for those who are usually voiceless—the indigent and those whom the healthcare system fails to serve.

We like that Grode literally wants to “reinvent” Cook County. She definitely wants to lower the county sales tax, and wants to collect the more than $100 million owed to the county — money just sitting out there waiting for somebody to get it.

This one is a tough call. If you want a change, vote for Grode. Steele is one of the good incumbents on this board, however, and we’ll stick with him. The Gazette endorses Robert Steele for Cook County Board commissioner in the 2nd District democratic primary.

County commissioner, 3rd (D): Monica Torres-Linares

At least 1st District Commissioner Earlean Collins has flip-flopped on the highest-in-the-nation county sales tax the right way, voting first for it, and then lately, against it. As of December, incumbent 3rd District Commissioner Jerry “Iceman” Butler still was voting for it.

We’ve endorsed Butler in the past, but it’s time for a change in the 3rd. His opponents are attorney Monica Torres-Linares and accountant Ronald Oliver.

Torres-Linares represents low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled with the Legal Assistance Foundation. As a member of the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations, she deals with housing, employment, and credit issues. She’s got her pulse on issues important to the district. If elected, she vows to hold community meetings and would roll back the sales tax. She supports a cap on property taxes. The Gazette endorses Monica Torres-Linares for the Democratic nomination for County Board commissioner in the 3rd District.

County commissioner, 7th (D): Joseph Mario Moreno

Jesus “Chuy” Garcia has great progressive credentials, having been part of Mayor Harold Washington’s progressive movement in the 1980s.

He would make a good county commissioner, but unfortunately for him, he’s running against an opponent who already is doing a great job.

We don’t agree with the incumbent, Joseph Mario Moreno, on everything. He is allied with County Board President Todd Stroger, whom we do not support, and he voted “no” on rolling back Stroger’s county sales tax increase, with which we do not agree.

But we don’t have to agree with Moreno on everything. On issues important to the district — healthcare, youth and childcare programs, promoting business, and crimefighting — he has delivered over the years. He even runs an annual toy drive that collects thousands of toys for needy youngsters.

If re-elected, he plans on initiatives to streamline the county government. We like the work Joseph Mario Moreno has performed for his constituents, and support him in the Democratic primary for Seventh District county commissioner. In the end, he understands his role. “We are here to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves,” he said. Moreno hit that one on the head. That’s a motto all politicians should think about every day.