Jay Paul Deratany ( left in photo by Andrew Davis ) , an attorney who ran for Cook County Board of Review against County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios last year, is seeking appointment for the Cook County Board seat expected to be vacated by Mike Quigley. If appointed, Deratany would make history as the first openly gay member of the Cook County Board.
Deratany—who has also announced the launch of a petition Web site to gather signatures in support of his candidacy ( www.JayPaulForCook.org ) —said in a statement, "Mike Quigley has delivered real reform for Cook County residents, and his constituents deserve someone who will carry on his legacy on the County Board. I've proven that I won't back down from the machine and that I will stand up against the powerful anti-reform interests."
Deratany told Windy City Times said that he was running for the position because "we don't have any gay male in Cook County and no LGBT person at all at the county board level. Also, we need someone to find [ who's ] against the tax increases, the property-tax disparity and the overbloated budget. I ran for the Board of Review [ last year ] , and I believe there's an inequality in our tax system." He added that he has two specific proposals, including the creation of "green enterprise zones, which would take blighted areas of Cook County ... and [ ultimately ] building wind turbines. We can provide up to 40 percent of electric power by wind." The other proposal involves a "clinic on wheels to help people in underserved areas."
Four other people vying for the post are Bridget Gainer, an executive at Aon Corp.; attorney Michele Smith, who is also a 43rd Ward committeeman; Kim Walz, Quigley's chief of staff; and Michael Hickey, a county electrician, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The Democratic Cook County Board District Committee for the 10th District of the Cook County Board of Commissioners will meet Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson, to appoint a person to fill a vacancy in office caused by the anticipated resignation of Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, should he be elected to replace Rahm Emanuel in the Fifth Congressional District. The meeting is open to the public.
Those interested in filling Quigley's seat on the county board are required to give a presentation to the committeeman and answer their questions. Also, they must submit a resume and Statement of Economic Interests form by April 9; the form is available at the office of the Cook County Clerk, 69 W. Washington, Suite 500. For more info, see www.www.voterinfonet.com
