Ever since last week when Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims, D-5th Dist., voted not to rollback the county’s sales tax, she has been more conscious of her surroundings.
Ever since last week when Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims, D-5th Dist., voted not to rollback the county’s sales tax, she has been more conscious of her surroundings.
Further, in light of an angry caller who left her a threatening voice mail at her downtown office Sept. 2, Sims said security at the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark St., needs to be beefed up.
“I have always been wary of my surroundings but now that I have people calling me with threats I am even more conscious of my surroundings,” she told the Defender. “And there are security loopholes at the county building that need to be closed to ensure all employees are safe.”
Regardless of the phone threats, which included racist remarks, Sims said she has no second thoughts about changing her vote.
“I do not regret the vote I made because my vote was for my constituents and not Todd Stroger. This is not about him,” Sims explained. “I worked with the late John Stroger to get clinics opened in my district, which includes Robbins and Ford Heights, and it was not an easy thing to do. And I did not switch my vote either. I have said all along that if rolling back the sales tax meant closing clinics I would not support a rollback.”
Sims was honored Sunday at Sweet Holy Spirit Church, 8621 S. South Chicago Ave. and her home church, Salem Baptist Church, 752 E. 114th St., for standing up for what she believes in and not backing down.
Sweet Holy Spirit’s Bishop Larry Trotter presented Sims with the church’s “Community Heroes of Healthcare Certificate.”
“It was an honor to be recognized by both Sweet Holy Spirit and my own church, Salem,” Sims said.
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