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<p>If you believe Commissioner Tony Peraica's Twitter account, then the future of democracy in Cook County is up for grabs. But, judging by a scene from yesterday's board meeting, political decorum may be on the way out, too.</p>
<p>Peraica is no stranger to controversy. He tends to invite it with his harsh rhetoric and candid takes on government in what he often calls “Crook County.”</p>
<p>At the county board meeting, where commissioners voted to repeal half of the unpopular 1 percent sales tax, he drew criticism from his colleagues for bringing Commissioner John Daley’s nephew into the debate.</p>
<p>Trying to make about about county management, Peraica reference Patrick Daley, the mayor’s son, <a href="http://www.recovery-beyond-borders.org/board.html">who now resides in Moscow</a>. But it angered Daley, and other commissioners backed him up.</p>
<p>"You're not going to attack my nephew," Daley said.</p>
<p>"I'm not attacking him," Peraica said.</p>
<p>"Bullshit," Daley replied.</p>
<p>Republican Commissioner Peter Silvestri, who sits next to Peraica in the county chambers, criticized the lack of respect and decorum in board meetings.</p>
<p>“I think the status quo can be changed and made better,” he said.</p>
<p>“This board has sunk to an all-time low. Any time that you bring a family member of a commissioner into a debate, that’s totally disrespectful,” said Commissioner Deborah Sims.</p>
<p>Peraica apologized to Daley and said he meant no harm.</p>
<p>Peraica was lucky his microphone worked after another verbal skirmish with President Todd Stroger.</p>
<p>After Stroger told commissioners that the poor of Cook County would be harmed by rolling back the sales tax, Peraica expressed his thoughts.</p>
<p>“This is not about the battle of haves and have-nots. We are all in this together,” he said. He continued on past his one minute allotted time.</p>
<p>“Vote now!” shouted Stroger into his microphone. Peraica kept talking and his microphone was turned off. He asked Stroger if the microphone was off.</p>
<p>“Yeah, we turned your mic off. You don’t know when to shut up,” Stroger said.</p>
<p>Peraica, raising his voice to be heard, shouted, “Is this the democracy we’re talking about?”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Stroger-to-Peraica-You-Dont-Know-When-to-Shut-Up-70296347.html">Click here to see the video.</a></p>
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2009-11-18T07:00:00-06:00
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Sparks fly at county board after Peraica jabs at Daley relative.
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