Assessor Candidates On Defense In Debate
CHICAGO (WBBM) - The two major candidates for Cook County Assessor both found themselves on the defensive during a televised debate Monday night.
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Democrat Joe Berrios defended having several relatives on the county payroll.
Berrios is currently a commissioner in the Cook County Board of Review, which handles property tax appeals.
Last night, during a debate with Independent candidate Forrest Claypool on WTTW-TV, Berrios defended having relatives working at both the Board of Review and in the assessors office.
He said that, if his brothers or other family members want to work in government, they should be allowed to do so.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Berrios' sister, sister in law, son and daughter work for the county with annual salaries from $48,000 to $86,000.
Claypool criticized Berrios and called hiring relatives in government a throwback to another era which needs to come to an end.
For his part, Claypool confirmed he failed to vote in the February primary election. "It was one of those crazy, crazy days, like we all have," he said.
Also running for county assessor are are Republican Sharon Strobeck-Eckersall and Green Party candidate Robert Grota.
