* Another much-needed, but piecemeal contribution ban…
Saying he is out to restore “the integrity of the state” and take on those who are “afraid” of House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross Tuesday presented a package of bills he called the Cook County Property Owners’ Bill of Rights and aimed specifically at undercutting the power of Democratic leaders Madigan and Joseph Berrios.
The bills would bar contributions to the Cook assessor or any commissioner on the Board of Review or the County Board by anyone with a pending assessment appeal, and also would ban those county officials from working as registered lobbyists on behalf of other entities.
More…
Mr. Cross also proposes that both offices maintain a public log of ex parte (unofficial) communications, disclose all decisions within 48 hours and establish a Web site that allows searches by law firm, size of appeals granted and other categories.
“Illinois residents don’t believe that politicians are always acting in their best interest,” Mr. Cross said. “We need to put rules in place to create an environment where the public can again trust elected officials.”
* The proposal is aimed right at House Speaker Michael Madigan and Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Joe Berrios. The two have a wonderful little relationship. Madigan has clients at the Board of Review. Berrios is a Springfield lobbyist. Madigan put Berrios in charge of the Cook County Democratic Party. Berrios, making perhaps the biggest mistake of his entire life, is now running for county assessor.
Forrest Claypool, Berrios’ independent opponent, responds…
“The proposals released today by House Minority Leader Tom Cross and the House GOP caucus are strong ideas. They take dead aim at the outrageous conflicts of interest that raise our taxes and undermine the integrity of our property assessment system. As a candidate, I have refused contributions from property tax appeal attorneys. As Assessor, I will implement transparency initiatives on the office web site so that citizens can see clearly how the process is operating, and for whom. I will also travel to Springfield to advocate for passage of these reforms so that voters in Cook County can have their faith in government restored,” said Claypool.
Cross’ complete press release can be read by clicking here. Despite the nature of the event, the Cross proposals received scant coverage in the Chicago media and only rated passing mention by the Tribune editorial page today. The reason? Everybody figures this ain’t going anywhere. Senate President John Cullerton also handles property tax appeals.
Can you say “Dead”?…
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown questioned the timing of the proposals - in midsummer, after the regular legislative session has ended, and three months before the general election.
“If it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck, it must be a political stunt,” Brown said, adding that newspaper investigations have turned up no evidence of preferential treatment for Madigan’s clients.
* Related…
* Dems Balk at GOP Reforms to Property Tax Appeal System
* Former Blagojevich/Quinn cabinet member registers as lobbyist: Barry Maram, former director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, joined Chicago-based Shefsky & Froelich Ltd., a law firm that represents a major drug company, lottery vendors and riverboat gambling ventures, according to the filing with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.
* Illinois GOP Leaders Hosting Glenn Beck, Andrew Breitbart At Conservative ‘Right Nation’ Event
- Ghost - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:26 am:
it is a political stunt…
it is also not a bad idea….
- Luke - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:29 am:
Hopefully, this will begin the debate about real reform in Illinois. The tax and lobbying issue wouldn’t be as big of a problem if there were term limits on all politicians. Anyone who gets a government payroll check should be unable to be a lobbyist. I realize that Illinois isn’t close to enacting any major reforms to limit the power of powerful politicians.
- Ahoy - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:39 am:
Political stunt or not, it’s good policy and should be given a vote. If it walks like a good policy and talks like a good policy, maybe it’s a good policy?
- The Doc - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:43 am:
Touche, Ghost.
Steve Brown doesn’t attack the proposed reform with any substantive argument. I’d like to hear a credible defense of the status quo, Steve.
- just sayin' - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:44 am:
“Saying he is out to restore ‘the integrity of the state’…..” If Cross is sending this out via email which I assume he is, then that’s my vote for “weirdest chain political e-mail ever in the history of the universe” in thread above.
- CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 12:14 pm:
If the “reform” was so good then StateWideTOm will accept an amendment to make his plan statewide. That way Tax Lawyers in Kendall and DuPage can see a little disclosure too.
BTW a quick search shows no instances where contributors were given special or improper treatment.
Of course the largest laugh was StateWideTom “forgot” to drag the GOP assessor candidate to his stunt.
And of course he stepped on the “news” with his invitiation to the Beck-Breitbart cross burning.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 12:15 pm:
The role of opposition is to offer real alternatives. This is nice: how about a budget?
- Gregor - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 12:47 pm:
Illinois is burning, and Cross is playing this useless game with Madigan? Really? Aim higher, Tom.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 1:35 pm:
I like Maria Pappas’ reaction to the property tax “reforms” signed into law by Quinn. Pure anger and astonishment.
- Capitol View - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 2:20 pm:
Barry Maram was a respected health care field attorney and consultant before he became director of a state agency. State public policy will be improved by his continued involvement.
If a law were to be enacted that prohibited state officials or even employees from future lobbying, someone as good as Maram might never have taken his state post to begin with.
Lobbying covers a great deal of activities, including advocacy to state agencies on behalf of a client. Many consultants would be wary of public service if such a ban would foolishly pass under the rhubric of ethics reform…
- Park - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 2:27 pm:
All you who complain about the R’s not coming in with their own revenue ideas, go back and read this section again.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 3:08 pm:
“If it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck, it is something we ought to roast.”
- bwana - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 7:46 pm:
how can Cross continue to lead with this agenda? PUULLEEEZZ have a “no confidence” vote and oust this frat boy….Durkin, Rose, Tryon hello!
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:28 pm:
Capitol View,
Couldn’t agree with you more. Maram’s a class act and the lobbying registration threshold in IL is actually quite low. There are plenty of gaps in our lobbying laws, but the trigger is not one of them.