Patch Criticized By Center Cass Tax Hike Backers

DARIEN, IL – Supporters of a proposed tax increase in Center Cass School District 66 are criticizing Patch's coverage of the issue.

Elizabeth Uribe, co-chairwoman of the Save Center Cass School District 66 committee, is among the critics.

In a recent Nextdoor post, she said Patch's local reporter, David Giuliani, has not quoted her properly or used most of the information she has provided him, including the direct source for one of the campaign flyers.

"His 'journalism' is not even close to professional or accurate," Uribe said.

Also on Nextdoor, resident Steve Shanks said the reporter has repeatedly turned down requests to get more information on the conditions of the schools.

The reporter also has not come to any board meetings or even watched remotely, even though he has been asked, Shanks said.

"His articles are all from quite the biased perspective that he is trying to stir up controversy and earn more clicks rather than an actual desire to share the situation of the school systems," Shanks said. "This isn't what journalism looks like. It's more like the type of reporting in the gossip magazines by the register when you buy groceries. All flash, and no substance."

Other online commenters have pointed to the reporter's former employment as an example of his bias. For a few months in 2015, the reporter worked for the Chicago-based Illinois Policy Institute, a conservative think tank.

In the Nov. 8 election, Center Cass voters will decide on a nearly 20 percent increase in the district's portion of the property tax bill.