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Nov. 15, 2010 Acovelli Comes Up Short in Cook County Pension Board Race Stan Acovelli, a Cook County Department of Corrections officer and Teamsters Local 700 member, came up short in his attempt to win a seat on the Cook County Pension Board of Trustees in October. Acovelli was runner-up to incumbent Pension Board Trustee Clem Balanoff, a Deputy County Clerk for Cook County and a former state representative. Local 700 members and staff spent months campaigning on Acovelli's behalf. The first-time candidate racked up the most mail-in ballots of the four candidates vying for the trustee position with more than 500. However, Balanoff received more than 800 walk-in votes on Oct. 27 to push him past Acovelli. "Local 700 believes that the Cook County Pension Board is in desperate need of a fresh perspective. It's unfortunate that Stan will not be representing our members' interests on the board," said Becky Strzechowski, Local 700 Assistant Trustee. "We appreciate the efforts of those Local 700 members who volunteered to pass out palm cards on Stan's behalf and shuttled Cook County employees back and forth between 26th and California and the County Building to vote," said William P. Logan, Local 700 Assistant Trustee. "We also appreciate the efforts of Stan, our staff and our Cook County Department of Corrections Chief Union Steward Mark Robinson for getting the message out at the County Jail to vote for Stan – but it wasn't quite enough." Logan added that having someone like Acovelli on the Pension Board is especially important because funding for the county's pension has decreased by 13 percent over the past four years. "The bleeding needs to stop, but it won't stop through complaints, it will only stop through members' actions," Logan said. Acovelli is taking the loss in stride, but not without some disappointment. "I'm definitely disappointed that at the end of the day, I will not have a chance to have a hand in reassuring pension security for my fellow Cook County employees and Local 700 brothers and sisters," said Acovelli. The Teamsters also endorsed Christine Trzos, a Cook County retiree, for the position of Annuitant Trustee on the Cook County Pension Board. She also lost to the incumbent, Annuitant Trustee John E. Fitzgerald, a former executive director of the Cook County Pension Fund. "We're still learning the waters when it comes to the Cook County Pension Board," said John T. Coli, Local 700 Trustee. "Every defeat is a chance to learn, to grow and to gain power. Our Cook County members need to recognize what is going on with their financial futures and to really take an interest. When that happens, I believe we will be able to put one of our own in a position to make a difference on the Board." |
William P. Logan, President 1300 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 301 CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR: UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, May 28 Wednesday, July 4 Saturday, August 4 |
