Protecting Your Tax Dollars

After a decade battling unnecessary tax increases and wasteful spending, Commissioner Quigley has earned his reputation as a fiscal watchdog. Year after year, budget after budget, he not only identifies questionable expenditures, unrealistic revenue projections, and no-bid contracts, but also proposes alternative solutions to the County’s financial and management problems. Most significantly, Mike has authored eight extensive, detailed reports examining important public policy issues facing the County and Forest Preserve District. All have earned widespread praise from taxpayers, civic groups, and local media.

For Cook County, Mike has repeatedly recommended significant reinvention of the County’s outdated structure, proposed cost-cutting measures and non-tax revenue sources, and urged privatization and joint purchasing where appropriate.

Mike also consistently votes against tax increases. He made waves in 2000 when he was the only Democrat to vote against an increase in the County’s parking tax, but that was the first of many votes against higher taxes. In 2002, helped to prevent a proposed lease tax and sales tax increase in 2004, and was one of the loudest voices opposing the 1 percent sales tax increase enacted by the County Board and Stroger administration in 2008.

What others are saying...

Mike Quigley, a strong voice on the board who has questioned budgeting decisions…"
The Bond Buyer - March 21, 2002

"...Mike Quigley, earned Stroger's wrath by voting against he parking tax and circulating his own idea for cutting expenses. You hope they don't beat him down."
Chicago Sun Times - November 22, 2000

"Quigley, who broke ranks with his fellow Democrats and opposed the parking tax and proposed his own ideas to cut the budget, was the subject of not-so-veiled attacks during the board hearings Monday and Tuesday."
Chicago Tribune - November 22, 2000

"…How to save money? Commissioner Michael Quigley has offered several good ideas…" Chicago Tribune - November 19, 2000