Electoral Board Sets Stage For 2-Way Cook County Assessor's Race

CHICAGO — The Democratic primary race for Cook County Assessor could come down to just two candidates, as a hearing officer for the county's electoral board Monday recommended that one of incumbent Joseph Berrios' two opponents be disqualified from consideration. If the finding is upheld, property tax appeal consultant Andrea Raila would see her name removed from the March 20 ballot and Oak Park asset manager Fritz Kaegi would be the sole challenger.

Alleging a "pattern of fraud" among several notaries, including the candidate herself, Hearing Officer Christopher Agrella called for the removal of nearly 6,500 of Raila's signatures after more than 10 days of hearings, The Chicago Tribune reported. If the county agrees with his recommendation, Raila would be about 3,500 signatures short of the number required.

Frank Avila, Raila's attorney, acknowledged that "mistakes were made" and denied that any fraud took place, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. They accused Agrella of being biased in Kaegi's favor.

“There was no intent for fraud,” Raila said after the hearing, according to the Tribune. “This is nothing but a kangaroo court.”

Raila told supporters Tuesday that the "machine playbook" has been brought out in an "unprecedented" and "biased" process intended to bully her into dropping out of the race. She said she was proud of gathering 23,500 signatures and suggested it was inappropriate the county requires more signatures to run for assessor than the state does for governor or attorney general.

"Every single time a woman is stepping into the race she has double the problems to try to get recognition from the mainstream media," Raila said. "I will not drop out of the race. I will persevere."

She plans to appeal to the Cook County Electoral Board, which is expected to meet Friday. Because Cook County Clerk David Orr has endorsed Kaegi, the normally three-member board will consist only of the Circuit Court Clerk and State's Attorney, the Sun-Times reports.

“The Cook County Electoral Board conducted a professional, thorough and fair process that culminated in the decision this morning, based on what they viewed as ‘clear and convincing evidence,’” Kaegi's campaign manager said after the hearing, according to the Tribune.

Berrios, who is also chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, is running for a third term as assessor. A joint report last year from ProPublica Illinois and The Chicago Tribune finding his office's assessments have for years improperly favored the rich at the expense of those who are less wealthy and politically connected has made his position more vulnerable.

» Read more from the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune