Berrios Lands Latino Endorsement

By Kevin Robinson in News on Oct 5, 2010 2:30PM

Joe Berrios, who is running for Cook County Assessor, announced in a press release that he received the "Nod From Latino Elected Officials," yesterday. "Joe Berrios has spent his career in public service working to level the playing field for the minority communities," said 4th District Congressman Luis Gutierrez. "He will continue that work when he becomes Cook County's next assessor, making sure that everyone is treated equally, no matter their color or income level."

Berrios has come under fire recently from challenger Forrest Claypool, who is running for the seat himself as an independent, for the appearance of a conflict of interest. Critics of Berrios charge that he has accepted millions of dollars in campaign contributions from property tax lawyers that have appeals before the county board of review, on which Berrios sits.

Meanwhile, Claypool has landed the endorsement of the Tribune. Whether the endorsement of Chicago's major conservative daily will counteract the organizational strength of Cook County's ethnic and Democratic political organization remains to be seen.