Berrios gets backing from African-American elected officials

 

 Chicago, IL –  A coalition of African-American elected officials from throughout Chicago and Cook County came together to endorse Joe Berrios, the Democratic nominee for assessor.

 “Joe Berrios is a true product of Chicago. He grew up in public housing, worked hard, and broke barriers in Springfield as the first Latino legislator. Now, we’re ready for him to stand up for people across Cook County as our next assessor,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

Berrios, who won the Democratic primary in February, was honored to be endorsed by the group during a press conference at the Allegro Hotel.

 “I am thrilled to receive the endorsement from such a prominent group of people,” Berrios said. “Their support of my candidacy means a great deal.”

If elected, Berrios, currently a commissioner on the Cook County Board of Review, would be the first minority Assessor. He was the first Hispanic state legislator when he became a member of the Illinois House of Representatives in 1982, where he served three terms. He is also the first Hispanic to serve as chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party.

“There is no question that Joe Berrios is the right person for the job,” Congressman Danny K. Davis said. “He has the experience to improve and make the assessor’s office more transparent. More importantly, he will treat each property owner with the attention and respect they deserve.

Democratic nominee for Cook County board president and Chicago Ald. Toni Preckwinkle could not attend Monday’s press conference, but she praised Berrios for opening doors as chairman of the county’s Democratic Party.

 “When Joe came in, for the first time, African-Americans, Latinos, women had a real opportunity for leadership in the party and had a real opportunity to be slated by the party,” said Preckwinkle, the 4th Ward’s alderman and Democratic committeeman.”He will bring that same level of fairness to the assessor’s office.”

Also endorsing Berrios on Monday were: Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene (Gene) Moore, Illinois Senator Rickey Hendon, Illinois Rep. Marlow Colvin, Rep. Ken Dunkin, Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, Rep. Art Turner, Ald. Carrie Austin, Ald. Anthony Beale, Ald. Howard Brookins Jr., Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., Ald. Willie Cochran, Ald. Pat Dowell, Ald. Leslie Hairston, Ald. Freddrenna Lyle, Ald. Emma Mitts, Ald. JoAnn Thompson; Ald. Latasha Thomas, Cook County Commissioner Bill Beavers, Commissioner Earlene Collins, and Commissioner Deborah Sims.

 For more information about the Berrios campaign, visit www.electjoeberrios.com.