Story posted Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Patlak Offers Republican Balance In County Gov't
By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
Dan Patlak, Wheeling Township assessor, is taking on one challenger in the Republican primary for the right to face the Democratic incumbent for the First Dist. seat on the Cook County Board of Review.
Patlak has an additional incentive in the election; incumbent Brendan Houlihan defeated Patlak's former boss, Maureen Murphy, for the seat in 2006.
Patlak worked as an analyst for Murphy for eight years beginning in 1999. He was also involved in a citizens' group against government waste and served on the board of East Maine School Dist. 63. He was elected to the assessor position in 2005 and re-elected in 2009.
"I have a tremendous amount of experience working appeals and helping taxpayers get reductions on their taxes," Patlak explained. "As township assessor, you help aggrieved taxpayers that believe their taxes are too high," he said. Part of that assistance is helping them with appeals to the Cook County Board of Review.
The Board of Review is the second level of appeals for property taxes. Reductions can be made in property taxes based on proper evidence of nearby property. The county assessor sets the valuation on real estate for tax purposes and has its own review process. Property owners can appeal to the assessor and then again to the board or wait and appeal directly to the board.
Patlak explained that currently, all three commissioners on the board are Democrats. "I'm going to be a watchdog from the other party," he said. Patlak added that all the county offices regarding taxation, the clerk, the treasurer, and the assessor, are held by Democrats. "It's government that has no checks and balances," he said. "I intend to be a check and balance for the taxpayers of Cook County once I get in there."
Patlak explained there was an earlier Republican challenger to the position, Maureen Murphy's son Shaun Murphy. Maureen died in 2008 and her son tried to challenge for his mother's old position. However, Patlak and the younger Murphy participated in a meeting of Cook County Republican committeemen in August. Patlak got 69% of the vote for the position and Murphy withdrew from the race.
Patlak is being challenged by Shawn Morrison, a resident of Palos Park who Patlak calls a "19th Ward Chicago Democrat." Patlak said Morrison, who is running as a Republican, formerly lived in the 19th ward and took a Democratic primary ballot in five of the last seven primaries. "He has never taken a Republican primary ballot," Patlak charged.
In addition, Patlak claimed Morrison has made many contributions to the 19th Ward Democratic organization and contributions to a Democratic aldermanic candidate.
Patlak or Morrison will face Houlihan in the November election.
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.