Patlak knows the Northwest suburbs

Most voters are focused on our colorful statewide races. But there is a local race being largely ignored that has potential to hit us all in the property tax pocketbook. The Cook County assessor is responsible for evaluating 1.8 million properties. It is inevitable given the enormity of this task that overassessments occur. When this happens, thousands of citizens turn to the Cook County Board of Review for justice.

Most of the northern Cook County suburbs from Barrington to New Trier Township, from Hanover Park to Maine Township all are in the Board of Review District 1. Our current commissioner for this district is from Palos Heights. He has little knowledge of the sales and housing situation in the north and west suburbs.

As Northfield Township assessor I have invited the incumbent for four straight years to come to my township for my annual citizens meeting about the Cook County Board of Review. Unlike his predecessor, he has not shown up a single time. In fact, my contacts within his office claim he is rarely at the Board of Review, despite the hefty salary of nearly $100,000 a year. His “other” job takes up most of his time.

A better choice for this position is Dan Patlak. Dan Patlak has a long real estate resume. A graduate of the Real Estate Institute, Dan has served for five years as the Wheeling Township Assessor. Before that he worked seven years at the Board of Review as an analyst. He is supremely qualified for the position, understanding all aspects of the assessment process. Patlak has vowed that the Board of Review will be his only job. He is bright, hard working and extremely knowledgeable.

Please join me in voting for Dan Patlak for Cook County Board of Review.

Patricia K. Damisch

Northbrook

Northfield Township Assessor