Cook County assessor candidates aim to reform office

Three veteran politicians - Joseph Berrios, Raymond Figueroa and Robert Shaw - aim to win the Democratic seat for Cook County assessor in the Feb. 2 primary. But they offer different backgrounds and opinions on how they vow to meet the issues in the race.

They each have held various positions throughout Chicago and at the county level, providing a sampling of endorsements from community leaders. And each man maintains strong ties to the city, yet expresses strong beliefs that suburban taxpayers are vital to the heart of Cook County. In fact, they each seek to reinstate the suburban assessor's branch offices to allow local taxpayers, especially seniors and those with disabilities, a chance to transact their county business closer to home.

Also, they promised to reform the office, to trim duplicative efforts and jobs, to reinstate the 7 percent cap to ease taxpayer burdens, and to simplify the tax process.

Their different backgrounds distinguish them, however. Here's a brief look:

Joseph BerriosFormer 3rd Dist. state representative Joseph Berrios continues to be commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review and chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party. If elected, he plans to transform the the office from computer-generated assessments to one where the taxpayer has a bigger voice. "We need to have a place where the taxpayer has a chance and can come in and talk about what's going on," Berrios said.Berrios promised to implement a hearing schedule so taxpayers could meet face-to-face with analysts and a taxpayer-assistance team, which would be formed. He also wants to revise the reassessment notice to provide a total picture of the property's history to include payments, sales, assessments of comparable properties, appeal history and other data.He also said the office needs to work with other agencies in a more cooperative spirit."They need to work together," Berrios said. "They don't need their own fiefdoms."Raymond FigueroaRetired Cook County Circuit Judge Raymond Figueroa continues his involvement with his Chicago neighborhood organizations and law-related activities. He aims to transform the assessor's office from an elected position to an administrative position appointed by a panel of experts with the approval of the Cook County Commissioners. "We've had enough of pay-to-play and we don't need to have the office join those ranks when it was moving the right direction," Figueroa said. He plans to end favoritism by supporting campaign donation limits to all elected assessors and assessment appeal officials. Having worked under former assessor Tom Hynes, Figueroa said his experience provides a special insight into the culture and operations of the office. If elected, Figueroa said he would call on House Speaker Michael Madigan to help pass a law that prohibits lawyers from contributing to various office campaigns if they practice before that office.Figueroa also wants to minimize waste and how local tax levies are used. "We need to work together to help townships to minimize waste so local tax levies are so exorbitant."Robert ShawInspector General Robert Shaw of South Suburban Dolton, a longtime Chicago and suburban elected official, wants to reduce property taxes for whipsawed taxpayers and fight for restoring the 7 percent cap. To do so, he aims to establish a Blue Ribbon Committee with law professors, legislators, educators and community leaders to find ways to fund schools other than by property taxes."I see the assessor as a facilitator," Shaw said.He believes his years of serving the Board of Review provide important background in property assessment, as well as other related issues, and aims to provide relief for property owners. He's concerned that seniors are being taxed out of their homes, foreclosures are increasing and other serious problems are hurting the communities. The assessor also should call on the state and local leaders to recuse themselves when there's a conflict of interest and allow the office to work independently."We need to put pressure on Madigan," Shaw said.False315371Raymond Figueroa False