The Side Jobs Of Top Cook County Democratic Bosses-The Property Tax Appeals Business

The Chicago Tribune has an editorial explaining the sleazy conflict of interests from some top Cook County Democratic bosses:

Joe Berrios is the chief lobbyist for the video poker industry. He's also one of three members of the Cook County property tax appeals board.

House Speaker Michael Madigan's law firm specializes in property tax appeals.

Senate President John Cullerton is also an attorney. He specializes in tax appeals too.

The fate of video poker largely rested in their hands.

Does anyone see a conflict of interest here?

Not Berrios: The proposal has been "out there for years;" he's lobbied "everyone" in Springfield and the video poker industry pays him only about $25,000 to $30,000 a year

Wouldn't you know,powerful Chicago Alderman Burke is also in the property tax appeals business and tried to cut Tony Rezko's taxes.