Veteran Dems point to differing backgrounds in Cook assessor race
Three veteran politicians aim to win the Democratic seat for Cook County assessor on Feb. 2, but they offer different backgrounds in their vows 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.
While each man has strong ties to the city, they express strong beliefs that suburban taxpayers are vital to the heart of Cook County. 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.
They also promise reform for the office, a reinstatement of the 7 percent cap to ease taxpayer burdens and the chance to simplify the tax process as much as possible.
Their different backgrounds distinguish them, however. Here's a brief summary of the candidates:
• Former 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 culture of the office from computer-generated assessment to one where the taxpayer has a bigger voice. He promises to implement a hearing schedule so taxpayers can meet face-to-face with analysts and a taxpayer assistance team will be formed. He also seeks 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.
• Retired Cook County Circuit Judge Raymond Figueroa continues his involvement with his Chicago neighborhood 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. He also aims 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.
• Inspector General Robert Shaw of South Suburban Dolton, a longtime Chicago and suburban elected official, aims to reduce property taxes for whipsawed taxpayers and fight for restoring the 7 percent cap. 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. He believes his years serving the Board of Review provide important background in property assessment, as well as other related issues, and will guide in to provide relief for property owners.