Ex-Cook County Board president wants to return

CHICAGO (AP) — A familiar name in Chicago politics has expressed an interest in replacing convicted Commissioner William Beavers on the Cook County Board.

Former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger says he will reach out to Democratic Party committeemen over the weekend to determine how much support he may have.

Beavers was an ally of Stroger's on the county board and a friend of his father, the late County Board President John Stroger. Beavers was convicted of tax evasion for not declaring campaign cash he gambled away on slot machines as income. The law requires he resign his post.

Stroger was heavily criticized during his term, particularly for pushing through a sales tax increase that has since been repealed. He was replaced as president by Toni Preckwinkle.