While Riverside Republican Tony Peraica’s race against Todd Stroger for Cook County Board president is gathering all the headlines, Peraica has another opponent on the ballot Nov. 7. In addition to running for County Board president Peraica is also running for reelection to his post as the county commissioner for the 16th District, which includes Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside among many other communities in the western suburbs of Cook County.
Peraica’s Democratic opponent in the 16th District race is William E. Gomolinski, a lawyer who lives in Western Springs and practices law in Palos Hills. Gomolinski criticizes Peraica for running for county board president and commissioner at the same time.
“I believe in one office for one elected official,” said Gomolinski. “The citizens of Cook County deserve a full time president. The citizens of the 16th district deserve a full time commissioner.”
Peraica replies that if he should be elected both county board president and commissioner the taxpayers will be getting two for the price one. He says he would collect the $180,000 county board president salary and, therefore, would not be paid the $86,000 salary of a county commissioner. The taxpayers would save $86,000.
Peraica also noted that most recent Cook County Board presidents, with the exception of Richard Phelan, who was county board president form 1990 to 1994 have served simultaneously as both a commissioner and as county board president.
Peraica says he is running for reelection as 16th District commissioner to continue the reform efforts he has made since he was elected in 2002 in a narrow victory over Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico.
“I think the voters in the 16th District got exactly what I promised to do four years ago,” said Peraica. “That is to fight against taxes and corruption.”
Peraica points to accomplishments such as the elimination of the Cook County Suburban Tuberculosis and Sanitarium District as a separate taxing authority. The district is being merged into the rest of county government.
However Gomolinski says that he is the real reformer.
Gomolinski points to his endorsements by reform Democrat county board members Forrest Claypool, Mike Quigley and Larry Suffredin. Gomolinski is making his second bid for a seat on the Cook County board. In 2002, he was narrowly beaten in the Democratic primary by Serpico, who is now a member of his campaign committee. In 1998, Gomolinski ran unsuccessfully for judge, also losing in the Democratic primary.
Gomolinski accuses Peraica of not always being a real reformer.
He notes that Peraica’s son, Marko, was hired by the Cook County clerk of the circuit court’s office in 2003 within months of his father’s election to the county board.
Peraica responds that his son, who is paid $24,875, works as a second shift computer operator and was hired on his own merits.
Gomolinski also points to legal work Peraica’s law firm has done for the village of Bridgeview. Peraica responds that Bridgeview is not part of the 16th district.
“I am a true reformer,” said Gomolinski. “I am a good government candidate. My kids will find their own jobs. Tony believes in transparency for everyone, but himself.”
Peraica has had problems with Republicans on his home turf. In the March primary, Peraica barely won reelection as Lyons Township Republican committeeman over a young opponent who had the backing of many powerful Republican insiders.
Gomolinski is hoping he can capitalize on this split in the Republican ranks.
Peraica is endorsed, according to his campaign Web site, by Brookfield Village President Michael Garvey, Forest Park Commissioner Patrick Doolin and Forest Park Park District Board President Bud Boy.
State Representative Karen Yarborough (D-Maywood) serves as the co-chairman of Gomolinski’s campaign committee.
The two candidates are scheduled to appear together on Wednesday Oct. 18 at a candidate’s forum put on the LaGrange Area League of Women Voters. The forum will be held at the LaGrange Village Hall, 53 S. LaGrange Road from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
