Berrios hit with $41k in fines for violating ethics rules

Kaegi camp: Berrios continues to use office as a cash cow for campaign coffers

COOK COUNTY (January 10, 2018) – Following is a statement from Rebecca Reynolds, campaign manager for progressive Democrat Fritz Kaegi, in response to reports that incumbent Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, Kaegi’s opponent in the March primary, has been fined $41,000 by the Board of Ethics for failing to return unlawful campaign contributions from property tax lawyers:

“As usual, Joe Berrios is flouting ethics rules. By refusing to comply with a Board of Ethics rule that limits contributions from property tax lawyers that do business with his office, Berrios has turned the Assessor’s Office into a cash cow for his campaign coffers. Berrios continues to shamelessly defend his pay-to-play schemes that lead to massive property tax breaks for his wealthy donors while ordinary homeowners and small businesses are left with soaring and unfair property tax bills.

“The latest Berrios violation serves as another reminder that voters deserve new, honest leadership in the Assessor’s Office. Fritz Kaegi has been clear from day one: he will never accept campaign contributions from anyone doing business with the Assessor’s Office. It’s time to put an end to corruption, nepotism and pay-to-play.”