* Property tax appeals lawyer and Joe Berrios ally who is supporting Toni Preckwinkle for mayor files legislation to make the Cook County Assessor an appointed office. What could possibly go wrong?…
An ally of Toni Preckwinkle got into a shouting match with Lori Lightfoot on Monday after Lightfoot accused Preckwinkle of being behind a “power grab” aimed at turning the Cook County’s elected assessor into an appointed office.
State Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is a property tax appeals attorney and longtime family friend of former Cook County Assessor Berrios who was a campaign surrogate during Berrios’ failed re-election campaign.
Martwick also happens to be the 38th Ward Democratic committeeman who has endorsed Preckwinkle for mayor.
On Friday, Martwick filed a bill in Springfield that would dramatically change the way Cook County assessor is chosen.
Starting in 2022, after newly-elected assessor Fritz Kaegi completes his first term, the assessor would be appointed by the county board president and confirmed by the Cook County board.
Rep. Martwick (D-Chicago) is developing a habit of doing stuff like this. Remember his progressive income tax proposal that would’ve raised state tax rates on people making just $17,500 a year? The right wing had a field day with that one a couple of years ago, and it is still bringing it up to this day.
* As before, Martwick said he’s just “trying to start a conversation.” And, as before, he didn’t come off looking all that great…
If Martwick was serious about reforming the system, Lightfoot said, he should have included Kaegi in that discussion rather than filing a bill to take Kaegi off the ballot after one term. “You could have called him at any point. You could have called him during his transition period to have that discussion,” she said. “Instead, what you did is you dropped the bill on a Friday afternoon and you called him afterward. That smacks of cronyism.”
“You’re a Joe Berrios surrogate,” Lightfoot added. “You were a Joe Berrios surrogate through the entire campaign. You filed this bill to profit yourself. Who benefits from a system that’s not changed?” […]
Martwick, himself a tax appeal lawyer, said he introduced the bill simply as a way to “start a conversation” about the way assessments are conducted in Cook County. Martwick noted many Illinois counties appoint their assessors. “Shouldn’t we be having discussions about the best way to move forward and reform those systems?” he said.
“Why are we not having that discussion?” Martwick said.
* The furor was so intense that Preckwinkle had to issue a statement denouncing the bill…
* Also, here’s a hint: When somebody accuses you of not being credible, don’t admit it…
“You’re not credible,” Lightfoot told him.
“Well, neither are you Lori. If you intend to govern the city of Chicago like this, this is exactly why you’re not prepared to be mayor of the city of Chicago,” Martwick replied.
“This is Rob Martwick, Exhibit A of the broken and corrupt political system,” Lightfoot said as she turned toward cameras and pointed at the state representative standing just feet away from her.
“Thank you, that’s very nice,” Martwick said.
Oy.
Click here to read Martwick’s full statement.
- Independent - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 9:53 am:
Lightfoot destroyed Martwick. Preckwinkle must be thinking “with friends like these…”. Next Tuesday can’t come quickly enough for her.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 9:56 am:
I don’t think “what the heck is Martwick thinking?” is the conversation he is looking to start, but here we are.
- StellaRauner - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 9:57 am:
Martwick should focus on being a backbencher do nothing Chicago Rep…
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:00 am:
Martwick filed a bill to make Cook County’s assessor an appointed position but voted last year to make Lake County’s assessor elected.
Odd, don’t you think?
- regular democrat - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:01 am:
Lightfoot must be cutting in to Preckwinkle s numbers. This is the only ally she has in NW side of city and its doing more harm than good. Not surprising considering what company Martwick keeps
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:15 am:
Lightfoot’s kind of on a roll.
- GetOverIt - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:16 am:
Big mistake by Martwick. He’s my rep and I hope he gets a primary opponent or two next election. That he claims to be a progressive is rather interesting at well…progressive at doing nothing I suppose, ugh…
- Anonchalant - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:16 am:
What’s wrong with this guy? How could he think this is a good idea? The bills is dumb. Will never pass. And paints him as defending a broke system. He’s also the sponsor of the elected school board bill.
Also, why did he go to Lori’s press conference? How did he think this would end?
I liked Martwick when he first came down. I’m not sure what he’s doing now.
Also, he just lost all credibility as the sponsor of the ELECTED school board bill.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:20 am:
All he did was give Lightfoot free press while Toni has been going radio-silent ahead of the last stretch.
On another note, a legislator shouldn’t be introducing legislation to “start a conversation.” Put forward legislation you support and back it. This whole look is just ridiculous and should give his constituents pause about what he can actually get done.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:21 am:
“Also, he just lost all credibility as the sponsor of the ELECTED school board bill.“ and he voted to make the Lake County Assessor elected. Hmmm.
Essentially he’s saying, “Democracy is great for thee but not for me.”
Oy.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:21 am:
“after newly-elected assessor Fritz Kaegi completes his first term, the assessor would be appointed by the county board president and confirmed by the Cook County board.”
Someone should’ve told Fritz before he loaned his campaign $2 million. I suppose he has 3 years to pay himself back.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:25 am:
Safe for all viewers and work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03JXTuFGYWE
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:41 am:
It all about protecting the Property Tax appeal racket in Cook County that can generate 7 figure incomes for powerful state legislators at the expense of working families
http://www.fmctaxlaw.com/firm.php
- low level - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:48 am:
Tactics are dumb, but lets look at the merits of this bill. Under his plan, the CC Board President would be accountable for the appointment.
Had Preckwinkle appointed Berrios, heck, maybe she would have had an opponent last year. That ought to give opponents of Preckwinkle some pause- maybe this bill is better than you think.
(Personally Im not advocating one way or the other. Adding to Bob’s conversation.)
- Rahm's Middle Finger - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:49 am:
You can’t tell me Toni didn’t have something to do with this. She has been messing with Fritz since the day after the primary. Martwick is also best friends with Scott Cisek, Toni’s lobbyist and campaign manager. There is no doubt in my mind that Toni’s team wasn’t aware of this.
Martwick is a State Rep because his dad was a Democratic committeeman. He is the perfect example of why the machine is falling apart.
Also, as was said before, why did he go to her press conference? His attack that this is “Trump-style” is ridiculous and embarrassing. I hope the newly elected Assessor uses some of his millions and political credibility to go after Martwick next cycle. This ridiculous “conversation starter” should start a conversation about why his constituents should elect a new representative.
- Rahm's Middle Finger - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 10:53 am:
Low Level-
You’re kidding right? All the other County offices are elected. This one shouldn’t be because the incumbent wants to change the system that Martwick profits off of? The same system that has been found to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the poor?
Also, I’m guessing the Speaker isn’t too happy about this. The Burke indictment already shined a bright light on this awful system. Now Martwick is doing what he can to make that light even brighter.
Also, Low Level, keep in mind this is the guy advocating for an elected school board. How does your argument hold up once you consider that?
- Perrid - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:10 am:
The whole thing just seems funky. I don’t get how having an appointed position makes it less likely for abuse, it almost sounds like he is saying the voters can’t be trusted to pick the right person for the job? I’m putting a few words in his mouth there but that’s the only way I can wrap my head around it.
- Rockford Robby - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:15 am:
There is steep, steep competition but Martwick may be the dumbest legislator in Illinois.
- Flat Bed Ford - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:15 am:
Martwick feeling left out of the corrupt Cook county assessment process?
- qualified someone nobody sent - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:20 am:
Assessor Kaegi fired Martwick’s sister on day one!
Anyone see a connection?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:32 am:
He’s got a post on FB now, either explaining himself or digging the hole deeper, and honestly I’m not sure which it is.
- Truthseeker - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:34 am:
While this move was ill advised and boneheaded, there is a lengthy line on both sides of the isle of Legislators less intelligent than Martwick.
- Same old, same old - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:36 am:
‘Qualified’ hits it on the head. Martwick saw this as a two-fer, Kaegi payback and helping Toni. Toni repaid him by throwing him directly under the bus, or SUV as the case may be. His read and timing could not have been worse.
- low level - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:40 am:
-Rahms Middle Finger-
Not kidding at all. So you dont like the idea of potentially being able to campaign saying “Preckwinkle appointed Berrios”?
Seems like you missed the point before. This bill would be fantastic for Preckwinkle haters.
- @Truthseeker - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 11:50 am:
I believe it’s “aisle”
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 12:04 pm:
The most ironic part about this is that no one would have covered Lightfoot’s presser if it wasn’t for Martwick’s stunt. Dumb.
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 12:09 pm:
Watch the video. It’s quite something.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 12:14 pm:
“Martwick is also best friends with Scott Cisek”
and
“His attack that this is “Trump-style” is ridiculous and embarrassing.”
Anyone that knows Cisek knows attacking her as “Trump-style” sounds exactly like Scott. Exactly. This whole thing sounded like him from the get go.
- lakeside - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 12:30 pm:
I’m not sure why this is being framed in both papers as ‘Lightfoot has with Martwick’ (more so in the Tribune; the Sun-Times headline is better). He appears to have crashed her presser and caused a scene, and she held her own.
And I’ll second or third the suggestion that this sounds like Cisek.
- QuickDraw - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 12:32 pm:
Poor judgement. You can’t teach judgement. And this will definitely hurt Toni, when she really doesn’t need it.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 12:36 pm:
“crashed her presser” is a little (only a little) unfair; he waited until she was done and then addressed the press, said he’d take questions, which she wasn’t having, and it devolved.
- lakeside - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 12:53 pm:
I suppose. Though it’s fairly unusual for someone aligned (whether formally a surrogate or not) with another campaign to offer to take questions at someone else’s presser. (I hear you about waiting until she was done speaking though; I didn’t mean to suggest he grabbed the mic from her hands.)
I think he showed up looking for an argument, got one, but the papers are moving the causation towards Lightfoot because she held her own. My gripe is with the framing; there wouldn’t have been an argument if he hadn’t shown up.
Regardless, this is extremely to the benefit of Lightfoot, so well played, Rep. Martwick.
- Eric Zorn - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 4:48 pm:
I simply couldn’t resist writing a column about one of the most spectacular political own-goals I’ve ever seen. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-lightfoot-martwick-berrios-preckwinkle-argument-0220-20190219-story.html
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Feb 19, 19 @ 7:49 pm:
Martwick is my rep. You want to start a conversation Rob? Congrats. Here’s the convo. “I think Rep. Martwick is showing his true colors. What do you think?”
You just lost my vote, Mr. Martwick. Your day in the sun is over. Cya.