Cook Co. assessor contributes to candidate for board that reviews him

According to campaign records, Cook County Assessor James Houlihan has contributed $190,000 to a candidate running for a seat on the board that reviews the work of Houlihan's office.

If Jay Paul Deratany wins election to the Cook County Board of Review, two of its three commissioners will owe their spots, at least in part, to Houlihan's backing. In 2006, the winning commissioner got nearly $72,000 from Houlihan's campaign fund.

In Tuesday's Democratic primary, Deratany is taking on Commissioner Joseph Berriosa 20-year incumbent backed by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has clashed with Houlihan over property tax relief.