Tensions rose during the Tuesday, November 15, 2016 County Board 2017 budget debate when Comm. John Fritchey (D-12) shouted at Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1), demanding he retract accusations of racism. Boykin would not, and later he called Fritchey racist "from his head to his toes." (Credit: Mike Fourcher)

Correction: An earlier report said Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) led the push against procurement changes affecting the Medical Examiner’s office. It was Comm. Jeff Tobolski (D-16). We apologize for the error.

Board President Toni Preckwinkle won approval of this year’s $4.4 billion operating budget and $475 million capital budget in a 11-4 vote yesterday, with all four Republican commissioners voting against. Two Democrats, Comm. Robert Steele (D-2) and Comm. Ed Moody (D-6) were absent. (Both were hospitalized this past week. Preckwinkle said Steele is recovering from surgery, but did not elaborate on Moody’s illness. He has been in office for just a few weeks. His twin brother, Fred Moody, was present yesterday.)