John Stroger

John H. Stroger, Jr. is the first African American ever elected President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Cook County is the second largest County in the United States and includes Chicago as its County seat. Stroger was elected in 1994, after many years as a loyal Democratic political and community leader.

Stroger has committed his public career to providing quality and affordable health care for the poorer residents of Cook County Illinois, culminating in the funding and construction of a new Cook County Hospital, which replaced the dilapidated and rundown County Hospital structure. At the suggestion of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and other local religious leaders, the new hospital was named in honor of President Stroger in 2001.

After defeating two established opponents in the 1994 Democratic Primary for County Board Presdient, Stroger cut taxes and improved delivery of services. In 1998, he defeated a Democrat-turned-Republican challenger and won 76% of the countywide vote in 2002. Stroger, 76, has decided to seek his fourth term in 2006.

A native of Helena, Arkansas Stroger moved to Chicago, Illinois as a young man. Starting work for the County in the 1950's, he worked during the day and put himself through DePaul University College of [[[Law]] at night and became involved in local politics in Chicago.