West Cook News

You often hear about local government jobs that those lucky enough to have “clout” can secure.

Good pay. No stress. Can't be fired. Great health benefits. Plus a multi-million-dollar, taxpayer-funded pension waiting for you at the end of a 25-year career.

Sounds amazing. Where does one sign up?

We private-sector stiffs at West Cook News don’t know anyone with clout personally, and we figured most of you don’t either.  

So we’re taking the liberty of profiling one every week.  

If your kids don’t aspire to be Steve Jobs, at least you’ll be able to instruct them on this career path.

Cedric D. Giles

Age: 42

Title: Chief deputy recorder

2014 salary: $130,493

Home: Westchester

Giles is the son of former Chicago 37th Ward (Austin) Alderman Percy Z. Giles, who was convicted in 1999 of extortion and taking bribes as part of the Operation Silver Shovel case.

Cedric went on the Cook County payroll at age 22 after graduating from Howard University. Giles worked previously as an accountant at Stroger Hospital (salary: $62,000) and as assistant comptroller in the administration of former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger (salary: $103,000) before moving to the Cook County Bureau of Health (salary: $111,000) and to his current spot.

Giles has made political contributions over the past decade to former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger; his boss, Cook County Recorder Karen Yarborough; and State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside).

Giles and Monica F. Cannon paid $419,000 for a four-bedroom home at 2635 Wellington in Westchester’s Mayfair Park subdivision in September 2004, according to public records.

Giles ran against current 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts in 2001, but lost. His cousin is former State Rep. Calvin Giles, who lost his legislative seat to LaShawn Ford in 2006.