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The race for commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review is getting a little ridiculous, as each day seems to bring a new flyer from the candidates raising issues that bear no relevance to the office.
Over the weekend, for instance, I got a mailing from incumbent commissioner Joseph Berrios telling me that Berrios favors "clean air and water" and "better schools."
That came on the heels of a mailing from Berrios calling for a property tax freeze.
His challenger Jay Paul Deratany is a little better -- at least his flyers tell you what the office does. But one of his mailings features separate pictures of Berrios and Cook County Board president Todd Stroger with the headline "The guy behind the guy behind your high property tax bill." It's as if Berrios, as opposed to, oh, Mayor Daley, was most responsible for ushering Todd Stroger in.
I suppose it's nice that Berrios likes clean air and schools and that Deratany doesn't appreciate Stroger. But these issues have nothing to do with the board of review. The board is a three-person body that hears appeals from county property taxpayers regarding their assessments. The higher the assessment, the higher their property taxes. If the board lowers the assessment, the taxpayer pays less, but somebody else pays more to compensate.
It's a crummy system that favors people who know how to use it at the expense of everyone else, which is why Berrios would rather talk about schools and the environment. As for Deratany, the real issue is not whether Berrios is too close to Stroger, who's not a tax appeal lawyer, but whether he's too chummy with house speaker Michael Madigan, alderman Ed Burke, and other property tax lawyers who regularly bring cases before the board. Deratany doesn't put Burke and Madigan on his mailing in part because he doesn't want to pick fights with the real powers that be and in part because most voters have absolutely no idea what the board does or how the Burkes and Madigans shape its decisions.
As strategists from different campaigns have been telling me for weeks, you have to keep things simple because people are simpletons.
She is a corrupt ward boss who happens to support gay marriage nothing more
Well here is some help. In this picture is someone they should talk to, his name is Rob O'Connor. He is 40th ward Alderman Pat Connor's brother. The O'Connor boys father was Boss of Streets and San in the 60's and 70's. He took care of all the Outfit guys from the 26Th street crew. The guys we all read about recently from the Operation Family Secrets Trial. The US Attorney wants you to believe that the connection doesn't exist , but I can tell you it does and it's stronger than ever! Also just for Dan Mihalopoulos of the Tribune, go to the 40th ward next and talk to Rob Connor's wife about all the developers she makes money with in the 40th ward and how much they donate to her brother in law ,Alderman Patrick O'Connor, the unofficial floor leader for Mayor Iknownothing
Vote for:
1. Citgo gas station financed Maryanne Spyropolous
2. Political insider and zoning attorney Dean Maragos
3. Cynthia Santos wife of state rep Rich Bradley
VOTE GREEK
STOP THE MAVROS
"As strategists from different campaigns have been telling me for weeks, you have to keep things simple because people are simpletons."
Wow.
If that's really true, and I'm not saying it is, then how much more simple can it get than:
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
If the 'strategists' are correct, then we should see a wholesale ousting of incumbents in the February 5th Primary Election.
This may be the only time I've ever hoped that the 'strategists' are correct.
"Keep it simple. When in doubt, keep the incuments in, vote Berrios."
Thanks for making my point.
"...incuments..."?
Well, at least we know you are one of the simpletons.
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
Don't pretend to be simple-minded.
Explore the many, (to some, way too many), comments I've been generously allowed to post on this site, most identifiable by the inclusion of the HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT slogan, try thinking about the contents of same, and, then come back and post a comment worthy of your intelligence and, hopefully, honesty.
Larry Suffredin and Jan Shankowsky are corrupt and ward bosses.
Of course a list of politicians was read, asking if one's impressions were very favorable, etc. Daley & Todd Stroger were among those mentioned. Apparently, Daley's still racking up the positives, and Stroger's the guy everyone loves to hate.
Burke definitely wasn't mentioned, and I don't recall Madigan as being on the list. But Blagovich was.
Sounds like the Madigan-Burke aparatus was busy trolling for trends.
Or maybe Republicans, with cozy connections to the aforementioned Madigan-Burke 'civil union'.
Or even Daley's crew, trying to gauge the manpower needs leading up to the Primary.
All this attention being paid, to these past unknown offices, may very well indicate that the electorate is being seen as becoming more informed about the nature and effect these formerly obscure government functions have on the voters' lives.
A hearty thank you must be given, to Ben, Mick, the Reader's editors and every dedicated journalist, few as that number may be, who've done the impossible, namely, brought the truths of our dysfunctional city, county and state governments to the public, in a way that the public appears to, finally, understand.
Taxations, with dishonest misrepresentations.
The Chicago and Crook County Way.
He is the one who does assessments.
Berrios and co. appeal his bad assessments.
The Sun Times has his connections to the Roti family member made member of organized crime Fred Barabara.
"Internet Troll
January 29th - 3:31 p.m.
When in doubt, don't listen to a internet troll who spends all his waking hours posting the same crap."
Why, thank you.
I, for one, will take your advice and not 'listen' to the self-proclaimed 'Internet Troll' who posted the above, quoted comment.
You do, indeed, post 'the same crap'.
Perhaps that is because crap is all you've got to post.
-Documents a controversy where two of Joe Berrios’ employees lowered their own property taxes.
“Suit says heavyweight pol put his mistress on payroll.” Chicago Sun-Times. 1/30/2005. below
-A lawsuit filed by Edgar Lopez (a former friend a political associate of Joe Berrios) alleges that Berrios had a sexual relationship with his now estranged wife, Lillibeth Lopez, and then secured her jobs using his political position.
“Blagojevich criticizes Ryan for using firm; Owner at center of Metra probe.” Chicago Tribune. Rick Pearson and Ray Gibson. 08/02/2002. below
-Joe Berrios has paid almost $16,000 to a political research and mailing firm who was indicted in a bribery case.
“Voters make a list; enemies check it twice.” Chicago Sun-Times. Abdon Pallasch. 02/24/2007. below
-Joe Berrios and his Board of Review ally Shaw commit enormous amounts of man power in trying to discredit the election filings on their political opponents. Although technically not illegal, this process is clearly shaddy especially since the manpower is comprised of their employees who are taking “vacation time.”
“Reform plan: appoint tax board.” Chicago Sun-Times. Tim Novak. 01/31/2002. below
-Critics of the Board of Review say that campaign contributions from tax attorneys essentially amount to bribery. Joe Berrios is one of the worst offenders and uses the money to maintain a strangle hold on his post.
“Tax board ripoffs stick us with bill.” Chicago Sun-Times. 01/23/2002. below
-Editorial very critical of the tax appeal board. Political patronage and insider deals are rampant which means that everyday citizens and less connected business are stuck with the bill.
“Tax-cut clout is on the menu at Carson's.” Chicago Sun-Times. Tim Novak. 01/20/2002. below
-An example of how a small business are being assessed at a significantly higher level than larger ones strictly on the basis of political connections. Very in-depth analysis of how the Board reached its decision regarding Carson’s Ribs and Al’s Beef. The Sun-Times reported that in 2000, the board valued Al's Beef on Ontario at $181,000 while it valued the larger Carson's Ribs building across the street at $12,453. The three commissioners on the Board of Review received $35,000 in contributions from the attorneys representing Carson's.
“Contributions buy clout at tax review board.” Chicago Sun-Times. Raymond Coffey. 12/14/1999. below
-Article skeptical about the “coincidence” that those who have donated to Board of Review campaigns usually see significant reductions in return. A long time political foe, State Senator Miguel del Valle, of Berrios is introducing a bill which would make such campaign contributions illegal.
“Board has great financial appeal.” Chicago Sun-Times. Raymond Coffey. 11/09/1999. below
-Editorial critical of massive amount of money given to Board of Review members by tax attorneys even when elections are not close.
“COURT TOLD OF SANTIAGO GIFT TO BERRIOS.” Chicago Tribune. Matt O’Connor. 01/15/1999. below
-State Rep Miguel Santiago is accused of giving $11,000 to Joe Berrios at a time corresponding when he went on the County Treasurer payroll as an alleged ghost employee.
“Cook County treasurer pleads guilty in ghost payrolling case.” Associated Press. 11/26/1998. below
-Joe Berrios is implicated by Cook County Treasurer Chief Fugslang as having asked him to create a ghost position within the Treasury for a political ally of his.
“5 DIVERT CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO HELP PAY LEGAL EXPENSES.” Chicago Tribune. Ray Gibson and Rick Pearson. 08/01/1996. below
-Joe Berrios is one of five politicians to announce that he used campaign funds to pay legal fees for criminal charges against him
Hey, you got the slogan right.
Now all you have left to do is get your head out of your ass.
The Assessor and the Board of Appeals work hand in hand, behind closed doors, of course.
The Assessor inflates the values of all properties, and the Board of Appeals negates only the inflated values of those properties whose owners are 'in the know' or pay those who are 'in the know'.
The patent bullshit of an appraised value being too high by 'mistake', or one reduced because the Appeals Board agreed that the appellant 'made their case' conceals the fact that the fucking appraisals should be fair, honest and reasonable in the first place.
But that wouldn't manufacture the need for appeals lawyers to be hired.
And Berrios's arrogant statement that citizens should appeal their assessments, in effect, drumming up business for these legal leeches, shows us just how thoroughly corrupted the business of property assessments, appeals of same and the property taxation schemes are.
Our city and county governments are money sucking machines, and we are the source of their food.
How does it feel, citizens, to be the hosts of parasites?
Apparently, you've been sticking your head up a multitude of different asses, so many that you don't know whose ass you head is stuck up at any given moment.
I wonder how you manage to type?
A Braille keyboard, perhaps?
"I stick my head up asses!"
Yes, we already know that amusing fact about your life habits.
Tell us something we don't know.
"....you have to keep things simple because people are simpletons."
So they say.
What else do they say?
Well, we've all heard the saying, 'there are two things in life no one can avoid, death and taxes.'.
Let's take death first.
Most feel that death, though inevitable, is to be avoided for as long as possible.
Those whose lives are nearing there finales, know that, at some point, death will come as a welcome relief of their suffering.
That's a blessing, in the very real sense of the word, as there is a level of suffering that overcomes even the most fervent desire to keep breathing, that transforms the fear of leaving this world into the anticipation and eagerness to know, and experience, what lies beyond.
Taxes are a horse of an entirely different color.
No one genuinely wants to pay a penny in taxes.
No one.
Yet, one wonders why this is so.
A little thought on the subject reveals much to be considered.
In a very real sense, taxes are payment for services rendered, albeit often for services a given, individual taxpayer appears not to be receiving, or, in fact, does not personally receive.
What services, provided by our city, county, state and federal governments, from all their various departments, be they Executive, Judicial or Legislative branches of governments, can we discern are undeniably received by most all citizens?
Besides the obvious 'servicing' of their respective tax assessment and collection departments?
(With another quote in mind, from Mick, "As always, your feedback is welcome; as precedent has established, reason is encouraged but not expected.", I'll pose the questions and we'll see what answers are forthcoming.)
Which citizens are receiving what services?
Which services are being substantially paid for by those who receive the benefits of same?
Which services are clearly being received by those who are, substantially, not paying for them?
Which services are undeniably essential to the functioning of our society? And why are said services essential?
Which services are arguably not essential, nor even beneficial, to our society, as a whole, or even as they are portrayed to be?
To understand the elements that form the reasons for taxations, (a prerequisite to an intelligent, and reasonable, assessment of whether specific taxes, tax rates, and the 'services' said tax revenues are expended on, are, indeed, essential and beneficial to our society), one must examine the essential elements of the basics of living life.
Do we, as a society, live our lives by the 'Live and Let Live', or 'Live and Let Die', or 'Survival of the Fittest', or 'Do Unto Others As You Would Have Done Unto You', or 'An Eye For An Eye....', or 'Catch Me, If You Can', or 'You Can't Cheat An Honest Man', or 'Greed is GOOD', or 'What Goes Around, Comes Around', or, (feel free to put in your two-cents worth)?
And how do the principles we conduct ourselves by, be they conscious or ingrained, influence the extent to which we accept, embrace, or resist, the actions our elected officials engage in, relevant to taxations and the expending of same?
What part does our sense of fairness, and, conversely, unfairness, play, in our perceptions concerning the multitude of taxes assessed/imposed upon us, and the variety of ways 'our' governments find to spend said tax revenues?
The specific structure of our county property tax system, from the assessment of the 'fair market value' of our real property, the 'adjustments' to said assessments, (for those who appeal same), to the eventual proportioning of tax revenue requirements/requests, from those governments being financed by property tax revenues, is what we need to understand, to determine if, in fact, the system's structure is responsible for it's inherent, or apparent, fairness or unfairness, or, if, in fact, it is the application, or misapplication, of said system's structure.
Bottom line is, nobody wants to pay taxes, yet, everybody, to one degree or another, wants the services that tax revenues pay for.
I'll leave it to our 'reasonable' participants to decide whether or not to engage in a conversation on the above.
and, no, I won't be holding my breath.
(Just think, we haven't even begun to get into the 'misuses' of tax revenues, whether said 'misuses' are criminal in nature, or merely idiotic.)
I'm thoroughly confused. If I vote Berrios out who is the best candidate to replace him?
I'm all ears, actually eyes.
Thanks
Thanks, good question.
That's why I inquired as to whether there are going to be any other candidates for this office running in the General Election.
Keep in mind, the election on February 5th is a Primary Election, and that Primary Elections are held to determine which candidates, from each political party holding a primary, will be competing in the November General Election, said general election being where the electoral buck stops.
Whoever wins their respective primary contests still faces however many candidates are standing for election in the General.
Usually, it's only a Democrat and a Republican, but, lately, we've been seeing more and more 'minor' party candidates, as well as 'independents', running for some elected offices.
Since those citizens regularly participating in our electoral processes usually confine themselves to voting either for a Democrat or a Republican, it's up to the citizens who've not regularly participated to start participating, if other political parties and independents are to make inroads into the running of our governments.
The goal, however implausible it mat seem now, is to remove the politicians from politics.
This can only be accomplished by citizens not yet brainwashed into accepting 'politics as usual'.
Are you one of those citizens not yet brainwashed?
Assessor donates $190,000 to candidate for seat on tax appeal panel
Assessor donated $190,000 to candidate
By Hal Dardick
Tribune reporter
February 3, 2008
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, Commissioner Brendan Houlihan, no relation to the assessor, won after getting nearly $72,000 from Houlihan's campaign fund.
In Tuesday's Democratic primary, Deratany is taking on Commissioner Joseph Berrios -- a 20-year incumbent backed by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has clashed with Assessor Houlihan over the form of property tax relief.
The review board hears appeals of property tax assessments made by Houlihan's office. Its decisions can be further appealed to the state Property Tax Appeals Board, whose executive director, Ronald Messina, is a former top aide to James Houlihan. The state board's decisions can be appealed in court.
"What he is trying to do is control the entire assessment process in Cook County," said Berrios, 55, a former state legislator. "I guess he doesn't want whomever to challenge his assessments. ... We're supposed to be an independent board."
Houlihan said he is not trying to increase his power but aims to reform a system he says is slanted toward the commercial property owner.
"Joe [Berrios] is not of a like mind; that is what elections are about," Houlihan said. "I'm trying to elect people who will work on making the system better."
Berrios, the county Democratic chairman and the 31st Ward committeeman, also lobbies in Springfield, where connections to powerful politicians like Madigan are important. Madigan's law firm argues tax assessment appeals in front of Berrios' board.
Deratany, a 45-year-old civil litigator, criticized Berrios for taking campaign contributions from lawyers who argue cases before the board and for what he says is a bias toward lowering assessments for businesses to the detriment of homeowners.
Berrios noted thousands of cases go to the board, saying he doesn't know "at any one time" which are pending and which lawyers are handling them. And Berrios said he judges each case on its merits. "We are more homeowner-friendly than the assessor's office," he said.
Deratany said he and James Houlihan agree on legislative priorities like the specifics of a 7 percent cap on homeowners' tax assessment increases. Despite Houlihan's campaign contributions, Deratany claims he'll be "completely and totally independent" in judging Houlihan's assessments.
Last week, Deratany aired an attack ad that tied Berrios to County Board President Todd Stroger and ended with animated FBI agents chasing Berrios. The Board of Review was the subject of a federal ghost-payrolling investigation in the 1990s. Berrios was not charged.
-----------
hdardick@tribune.com
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
In Florida Clinton also won the Hispanic vote for the Democratic nomination over Obama. In the Republican primary John McCain won the Hispanic vote in Florida which won Florida for him over John McCain. The knock on Obama in Florida besides voting to build a wall on the Mexican border is he has no experience with the Hispanic community.
Jesse Jackson Jr here in Chicago talks about a Black/Brown alliance but it is only Browns supporting Blacks and never the other way around at least not for Jesse Jr or most of the other official Black leadership (with some exceptions). There was much ado about billboards with Congressman Luis Gutierrez for now Judge Joy Cunningham over the slated white candidate and a Black/Brown alliance but there was no corresponding Black support for Brown only Brown support for Black.
Some interesting notes are that:
1. There are NO Hispanics elected Statewide at large. NONE, ZIP, ZILCH, ZIPPO, ZEROE.
Never a Governor, Treasurer, Lite Governor, Comptroller or Secretary of State. African Americans have had Roland Burris and Jesse White.
There has never been a major Hispanic candidate supported by the Democratic party for these offices.
The Countywide offices also have no Hispanic elected office holder except for Commissioner Frank Avila of the MWRDGC which is an important but relatively obscure office. Only 1. The African American community has representation in the County Board President (even if it is controlled by John Daley), the Recorder of Deeds, and Clerk of the Circuit Court out of the major offices and two of the 9 MWRDGC Commissioners. There are no Hispanics in any of the major posts and only 1 Hispanic at the MWRDGC.
Commissioner Avila endorsed Barack Obama and has made calls to California for Barack Obama.
However, Senator Ricky Hendon is supporting two candidates one black and one white and targetting him for defeat uniquely so if Senator Hendon is successful there will be no Hispanics on the MWRDGC board and none at all at any post countywide in Cook County. None.
Similiarly, Congressman Danny Davis (who has received Hispanic support) is not supporting any Hispanics and has a separate almost all Black slate. There is a Soul Slate that is all Black.
Professor Starks has an all Black slate. Congressman Jackson is not supporting any Hispanics and is even targetting for defeat Commissioner Jose Berrios of the Tax Board of Appeals and Commissioner Avila of the MWRDGC.
If Jose Berrios and Frank Avila were to lose there would be NO representation of Hispanics at any level of government. The Assessor who is targetting Jose Berrios for defeat (Jose Berrios appeals his tax assessments) has almost no Hispanics working in his office with estimates from 1 to 3% while the population is 20 to 25% in the city and growing.
Judge Jesse Reyes (the only slated Hispanic judicial candidate) is not getting the commensurate Black support that now Judge Joy Cunningham got from the Latino community. There has NEVER been a Judge elected Countywide at large who is Hispanic. Out of the 200 or so judges in Cook County only 8 are Hispanic. Where is Jesse Jackson or Danny Davis or Ricky Hendon to elect a Hispanic Judge for judicial diversity or fairness.
Jose Berrios is the only elected official from a district that is 1/3 of the County that employs Hispanics in any great numbers in his office. Hispanics are non existent in County government with less than 4% and with 1 or 0 (NONE) in some areas. Hispanics supported John and Todd Stroger but minority only means Black to them and there is no diversity for other minorities.
If Jose Berrios loses there will be no Hispanic representation on issues dealing with property taxes and dozens of Hispanic men and women who lose jobs.
Commissioner Frank Avila is an interesting example of lack of reciprocity to the extent you can vote for THREE in the MWRDGC rotating Board member race.
So Commissioner Avila a licensed Engineer and the only Hispanic in the race or on that Board is not even on the top three of the supposedly liberal and committed to diversity Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky or Commissioner and leading in the polls candidate for State's Attorney Larry Suffredin.
The Cook County States Attorney has very few Hispanic attorneys and deals with Hispanics and some say heavy handedly yet Larry Suffredin is not supporting a slated, qualified, and sole Hispanic--not even when he has three choices. Hispanics have given significant Republican votes in past national elections and McCain has a Hispanic following yet Shakowsky is trying as a national leader and Democratic leader and Congresswoman to in one election to eliminate ALL HIspanic representation. NONE. No Hispanics allowed in Cook County.
Congressman Jackson, who wanted to be Mayor of a City that is 25% Hispanic and growing is also oppossing every Hispanic running for office and two Hispanic incumbents one who supported him on his races and his allies (Commissioner Avila)
Anita Alvarez (a non slated non incumbent) is not getting any support by even her fellow Hispanics despite her arguably superior credentials (she has been a prosecutor even longer than Bob Milan) She is considered an outstanding attorney and comptetent prosecutor without scandal and came in after the Area 2 scandals. She is the only female running. She is the only Hispanic running. It seems that being female only counts when you are trying to get into office without credentials for a MWRDGC seat or a Judge seat. It seems that diversity does not include Hispanics. Anita Alvarez is uniquely qualified but there is no Brown slate, or Spanish slate corresponding to the Rev. Sampson Soul Slate.
How can Congressmans Jan Shakowsky and Jesse Jackson be national leaders and attempt to eliminate any Hispanic elected officials???
This is not leadership and if it were against groups they more closely identify with it would be racism and anti-semitism. But being against Hispanics is OK and the media doesn't care.
Sen Ricky Hendon is making racist and religiously bigotted statements against an American of Indian (east) descent yet the media says nothing. Silence on lies and explicit racist statements. Ricky Hendon is trying to eliminate Hispanics at the MWRDGC and the Tax Board of Appeals but that is not considered racist.
The Democratic Leadership may not worry about the Hispanic sleeping giant because they repeat the apparently accurate mantra that Hispanics don't vote, that the people don't care, and their leaders are bought off. If you make an anti-Black or anti-Jewish statment or opposse their candidates than that is bad and makes a front page story--but being anti-Hispanic is the last allowable racism and discrimination in America.
Barack Obama could lose the nomination because of lack of reaching out to Hispanics.
The Democratic Party may have a shock without any Hispanic elected officials.
The so called liberals like Shakowsky and Suffedin who supposedly believe in diversity do not include Hispanics in that Diversity.
The Rainbow of Jesse Jackson Jr is only Black unless you have Green (money) and than you can buy your way in like Larry Suffedin did.
The Hispanics running Countywide are:
Anita Alvarez for State's Attorney
Frank Avila for MWRDGC (slated and incumbent)
Jesse Reyes for Judge (sitting associate judge and slated for Countywide seat)
Many people are trying to get all three to lose. Even the incumbents and slated candidates.
Jose Berrios represents a District that is 1/3 the County and is the only Hispanic involved in the issue of taxation.
If the Cong Shakowsky, Cong Jackson, Sen Ricky Hendon cabal plan works---There will be NO (NONE, ZILCH, ZIP, ZERO) Hispanics in any political offices at all in Cook County NONE. That is racism pure and simple. That is also stupid politics--maybe not now--but in the future.
The white and Black political power mongers don't want Latinos in any positions of governmental authority.
Not in the Legislative Branch, nor the Judicial Branch and certainly not in the Executive Branch.
Why?
Because Hispanics cannot be depended upon to kiss their asses.
Why?
Because the Latino community is not as stupid as the respective White and Black communities.
Why?
Because, as far as the White and Black communities are concerned, all Hispanics are a threat to both the White and the Black political manipulation machines.
Ebonics aside, the fact that the Hispanic community consists of many individuals, citizens and not yet citizens alike, who are bilingual, and who don't accept being treated like shit, (albeit who have been treated like shit, by White and Black political manipulators), is why waiting for the White and Black political machines to voluntarily 'share' political power and influence with the Hispanic community is a losing proposition.
Latinos have, for too long, made the mistake of considering only whether a candidate is Hispanic, assuming that a member of La Raza will, automatically, have the Latino community's best interests at heart.
Reality has proven this to be a false assumption, at best.
Hispanics have the numbers, of citizens eligible to vote, to seriously affect the outcomes of many political contests, not only the ones within their communities.
If the Latino communities are to ever have a voice, they must reject the typical political divisions of Mexicano, Puerto Ricano, Cubano, etc., stop thinking like the White and Black political power mongers want them to think, and realize that they do not need the Democratic Machine to get on the ballot and to get elected.
Latinos are not Whites, nor Blacks, nor destined to be manipulated by the Whites and Blacks.
The White and Black politicians are finding it more and more difficult to manipulate their own constituencies, as good an opportunity as any for Hispanics to seize the moment and use their votes to deny reelection to those White and Black power mongers who've proven their contempt for the Latino community.
Incumbent White and Black political power mongers are the problem, denying them reelection is the beginning of the solution to Hispanic disenfranchisement.
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
-Documents a controversy where two of Joe Berrios’ employees lowered their own property taxes.
“Suit says heavyweight pol put his mistress on payroll.” Chicago Sun-Times. 1/30/2005. below
-A lawsuit filed by Edgar Lopez (a former friend a political associate of Joe Berrios) alleges that Berrios had a sexual relationship with his now estranged wife, Lillibeth Lopez, and then secured her jobs using his political position.
“Blagojevich criticizes Ryan for using firm; Owner at center of Metra probe.” Chicago Tribune. Rick Pearson and Ray Gibson. 08/02/2002. below
-Joe Berrios has paid almost $16,000 to a political research and mailing firm who was indicted in a bribery case.
“Voters make a list; enemies check it twice.” Chicago Sun-Times. Abdon Pallasch. 02/24/2007. below
-Joe Berrios and his Board of Review ally Shaw commit enormous amounts of man power in trying to discredit the election filings on their political opponents. Although technically not illegal, this process is clearly shaddy especially since the manpower is comprised of their employees who are taking “vacation time.”
“Reform plan: appoint tax board.” Chicago Sun-Times. Tim Novak. 01/31/2002. below
-Critics of the Board of Review say that campaign contributions from tax attorneys essentially amount to bribery. Joe Berrios is one of the worst offenders and uses the money to maintain a strangle hold on his post.
“Tax board ripoffs stick us with bill.” Chicago Sun-Times. 01/23/2002. below
-Editorial very critical of the tax appeal board. Political patronage and insider deals are rampant which means that everyday citizens and less connected business are stuck with the bill.
“Tax-cut clout is on the menu at Carson's.” Chicago Sun-Times. Tim Novak. 01/20/2002. below
-An example of how a small business are being assessed at a significantly higher level than larger ones strictly on the basis of political connections. Very in-depth analysis of how the Board reached its decision regarding Carson’s Ribs and Al’s Beef. The Sun-Times reported that in 2000, the board valued Al's Beef on Ontario at $181,000 while it valued the larger Carson's Ribs building across the street at $12,453. The three commissioners on the Board of Review received $35,000 in contributions from the attorneys representing Carson's.
“Contributions buy clout at tax review board.” Chicago Sun-Times. Raymond Coffey. 12/14/1999. below
-Article skeptical about the “coincidence” that those who have donated to Board of Review campaigns usually see significant reductions in return. A long time political foe, State Senator Miguel del Valle, of Berrios is introducing a bill which would make such campaign contributions illegal.
“Board has great financial appeal.” Chicago Sun-Times. Raymond Coffey. 11/09/1999. below
-Editorial critical of massive amount of money given to Board of Review members by tax attorneys even when elections are not close.
“COURT TOLD OF SANTIAGO GIFT TO BERRIOS.” Chicago Tribune. Matt O’Connor. 01/15/1999. below
-State Rep Miguel Santiago is accused of giving $11,000 to Joe Berrios at a time corresponding when he went on the County Treasurer payroll as an alleged ghost employee.
“Cook County treasurer pleads guilty in ghost payrolling case.” Associated Press. 11/26/1998. below
-Joe Berrios is implicated by Cook County Treasurer Chief Fugslang as having asked him to create a ghost position within the Treasury for a political ally of his.
“5 DIVERT CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO HELP PAY LEGAL EXPENSES.” Chicago Tribune. Ray Gibson and Rick Pearson. 08/01/1996. below
-Joe Berrios is one of five politicians to announce that he used campaign funds to pay legal fees for criminal charges against him
Hispanics don't care how Berrios got elected, nor how he'll get reelected, nor do those who benefit from his being one of three voices on this review board.
What the rest of us care about is Houlihan, being in control of the Assessor's office, having his hand picked flunkie, that would be Deratany, influencing the very body that exists to review what Houlihan does, namely, set the value of real property, said value determining how much tax is imposed upon the owners of same.
Whoever wins this Democratic Primary contest will face whatever candidates are seeking this office in the General Election.
The voters will have the chance to reject the Democratic candidate for this office, whoever it turns out to be.
It's up to the voters for enough of them to have enough brains to see that incest isn't only harmful when it produces offspring through sexual means.
"Joe Berrios is a dog with no integrity!"
Why, because he forgot to tip you? Or didn't tip you enough?
Or is it that Jay Paul did?