Political donors in line to run Cook County health system

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

For decades, the Cook County hospital system has been crippled by politics -- doctors, administrators, funding and programs have long needed the approval of political overseers before becoming part of the structure.

But in a matter of weeks, the troubled health care operation will be taken over by a group of nine outsiders, described by many as independent and non-political.


Campaign finance records show that the 20 candidates to fill those nine slots have contributed more than $200,000 to various Illinois politicians in the last nine years. Of that, they've delivered more than $25,000 to Cook County officials -- half donated to campaign committees supporting County Board President Todd Stroger and various members of the County Board.