Stroger's wise move

As much as I can't stand how he got onto the ballot in the first place and the fact that he won, this may be the best idea to come out of his young administration. Could it be that we might find that he is truly competent? Who knows? But after the problems with staffing and other issues involved with the Cook County Juvenile facilities in the past perhaps something should be done, yes?

The new Cook County Board president, Todd Stroger, has managed to surprise with his demands that the bloated county bureaucracy drastically reduce its spending. This week, he surprised again by agreeing to give up control of the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and turn it over to the chief judge of the Circuit Court.

Shifting oversight of Cook County's troubled juvenile detention facility, as recommended Thursday by the Chicago Bar Association, is a good idea. Here's why: Board presidents get elected by grateful patronage armies to whom the president has given jobs. Chief judges are elected by Circuit Court judges. No judge needs a bloated, unqualified patronage army for job security.

Thus, the chances the juvenile detention center will continue to be staffed and run by unqualified political loyalists (i.e. campaign workers) will drop significantly.

There's a fighting chance that the place will be run by qualified folks who are committed to transforming the lives of kids in crisis.

Stroger made a campaign promise to replace juvenile center Supt. J.W. Fairman. Stroger officials say they plan to initiate a national search for Fairman's replacement, but they will leave it to Chief Judge Timothy Evans to make a final pick. Timeline: at least six months.

So how is it going to happen and will it happen?

The measure has to be passed by the state legislature. On Wednesday, House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) filed legislation to make it happen. He filed it initially in October 2005, with no response.

Now, after the umpteenth report detailing horrid conditions and treatment at the juvenile center, and thanks to Stroger's blessing, expect a stampede of legislators of all political stripes eager for sponsorship. State Rep. David Miller (D-Calumet City) and state Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) already have signed on as co-sponsors. The House and Senate leadership needs to get behind this.

Changing control at the juvenile center will be a start. But the facility has seen a lot of false starts in the last 18 months, since the Tribune editorial board detailed filthy conditions, abuse of kids, staff members with criminal records and incompetent leadership at the center.

This is from an editorial in today's Tribune.