The superintendent of Cook County’s Highway Department, long seen as a dumping ground for waste and patronage hires, is stepping down.
Rupert Graham, who served as an assistant superintendent before then-Cook County Board President Todd Stroger promoted him to the top spot in 2007, submitted his resignation on Friday, according to county documents. His last day will be Aug. 1.
Graham, whose six-year contract was up in 2013, couldn’t be reached for comment though officials said he stepped down for personal reasons.
Asked about his departure on Tuesday, current County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said: “He resigned.” Pressed about whether he was asked to step down, she would only say: “He resigned.”
Graham follows a line of Stroger hires who have either stepped down or been shown the door by Preckwinkle, who took office in December.
During his tenure, Graham drew criticism for implementing no-drive days for highway staffers — something he said was aimed as saving money on gas, but commissioners said was foolish since the highway department is in the business of maintaining roadways.
The planned pothole holidays — two days a month — were nixed. And in 2009, several commissioners called for Graham’s resignation after a Sun-Times story about some highway staffers racking up overtime on the very days they called in sick or were on vacation.
“Nothing seemed to improve under his tenure,” said Cook County Commissioner Timothy Schneider. “So I think we need to move the highway department into a more positive and accountable direction.”
Details about the search for his replacement weren’t available. First, the president’s office nominates a qualified engineer, the Illinois Department of Transportation signs off on the candidate and county commissioners give final approval.
