My Kind of Town

From WBBM Chicago:

Cook County Board President John Stroger's son says a federal statute protecting the privacy of medical records prevents him from talking about his father's condition.

Chicago 8th Ward alderman Todd Stroger told the "Chicago Sun-Times" the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) means only John Stroger can talk about his health.

The "Sun-Times" reports the HIPAA law doesn't actually prohibit Stroger from talking about his dad's health, as long as he gets permission.John Stroger has not been seen in public nor has he conducted any interviews since suffering a stroke in March. He was back in the hospital last week.

A growing number of prominent politicians have been calling on Stroger's family to release more information on his condition. Several politicians, including Todd Stroger, have said they might like to replace John Stroger if he can't continue to serve or run in this fall's election.