Cook County Democrat Chairman Shows the Chicago Way

Crain's Chicago Business reports:

For those who hoped that the Blagojevich affair and similar scandals might finally prompt a cleanup of Illinois' pay-to-play culture, Monday's announcement that Joe Berrios is running for Cook County assessor ought to be revealing.

What it reveals is that not much has changed.

Mr. Berrios is chairman of the Cook County Regular Democratic Organization, aka the machine. He and his daughter, state Rep. Maria "Toni" Berrios, owe their careers to campaign contributions from the property tax lawyers Mr. Berrios deals with in his day job, as a member of the county's Board of (Property Tax) Review.

The Cook County state's attorney is investigating tax breaks Mr. Berrios reviewed for state Rep. Paul Froehlich, D-Schaumburg, who recently announced that he won't seek a new term.

You'll want to read the whole thing.