For Cook County assessor, Democratic: Figueroa

Reform has to be a common theme in all Cook County races this election year, and although the assessor's office has been operating without taint, it is important to keep it that way. The best opportunity for that in the Democratic primary is to elect Raymond Figueroa.

Figueroa, 61, of Chicago, has some excellent ideas for pursuing and accomplishing the reinstatement of the 7 percent assessment cap in Cook County, and as a one-term Chicago alderman who went on to serve 12 years as a Cook County circuit judge, he has a reputation for independence that is desperately needed in Cook County politics in general and this office in particular.

His opponents can boast neither of these qualities. Robert Shaw, 72, of South Holland, a 20-year Chicago alderman, seems to have given the operation of the assessor's office little real thought, and Joseph Berrios, 57, of Chicago, chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, former legislator and 21-year member of the county Board of Review, is the very antithesis of what the office needs.

Figueroa understands Cook County politics well and he is the only Democratic candidate who can be counted on to use his background and knowledge to help property taxpayers.