On Feb. 24, the Tribune published its primary election endorsements for the Cook County Board. Depending on where they live, Cook County voters also will encounter these contested races on March 19:
Cook County Board of Review, District 3: Robert Shaw’s tenure on the board, which weighs property tax appeals, has been dogged by questions about whether the board hands down political and patronage favors rather than unquestionably fair decisions about assessments. Steven Burris, a data analyst for the Chicago Transit Authority (and a relative of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roland Burris), is a better pick in the Democratic primary. Burris, who has an MBA from Lewis University, has good ideas for making the appeals process less arcane, and would bring a higher degree of professionalism to the office. One of his proposals: allowing certified tax consultants, rather than more costly lawyers, to represent taxpayers before the board.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District: Three seats will be filled in the November general election. In recent years, the nine elected board members of the water reclamation district have been criticized for abdicating too much of their responsibility to unelected staff members.
Incumbent Democrat Kathleen Therese Meany is endorsed, though with encouragement to show more independence from the staff and from board leadership. Challenger Derrick David Stinson, who has worked his way up from lab assistant to wastewater treatment plant operator at the district, appears likeliest to bring new ideas to the board–including his call for a citizens’ advisory group to guide the board on such issues as the selling or leasing of surplus district land to the Cook County Forest Preserve District. M. Frank Avila, a civil engineer experienced in sewer design and flood control issues, would be another strong addition. Meany, Stinson and Avila are endorsed in the Democratic primary.
Regional Superintendent of Schools: For a decade, educators and public officials have debated whether there is a need for the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education, or whether its duties should be handed to the Illinois State Board of Education. That said, Robert Ingraffia, currently the deputy superintendent, shows a willingness to increase efforts to make it easier for people who leave other careers to become teachers. He is endorsed in the Republican primary over Candy V. Cash, the assistant regional superintendent.
