Cook County Assessor Candidate Forum Hosted By Union League Club of Chicago

Yesterday the Union League Club of Chicago’s Public Affairs Committee, through its external relations subcommittee chair, Chicago attorney Robert Kreisman, hosted the Cook County Assessor Forum Candidate in conjunction with the Henry George School of Social Science. The candidates included Raymond Figueroa, Democrat; Robert Shaw, Democrat; Robert Grota, Green; and Sharon Strobeck-Eckersall, Republican. The other democratic party candidate, Joseph Berrios, chose not to attend the forum.

The event was hosted by moderator Andy Shaw, Executive Director of the Better Government Association. Mr. Shaw, an award-winning Chicago journalist, spent 35 years covering politics, business, education and the day-to-day news of the City’s news bureau.

Each candidate was given several minutes to state his or her position, credentials, experience and why they wanted the post of Cook County Assessor. In addition, Andy Shaw asked the candidates several questions, which were taken around the room.

Based on their responses, it appears that Robert Grota and Sharon Strobeck-Eckersall are the only two candidates of the group who do not have any political background. However, both candidates have valuable work experiences that apply to the position of Cook County Assessor. Robert Grota is a Chicago area assessor who has lots of experience as a consultant to municipalities and as developer of assessment software. Sharon Strobeck-Eckersall, is a real estate broker and Evanston resident who served Evanston Township Assessor.

Raymond Figueroa has served as a Circuit Court Judge, a staff attorney for the Assessor’s Office, and now has his own private law practice. Robert Shaw, who arrived late to the program, was a Chicago alderman as well as a commissioner of the Cook County Assessor’s Office. Joseph Berrios, the absent candidate, is the Cook County Democratic Party Committeeman.

Overall, the spirited discussions were informative and generally well received by the audience. The audience was given an opportunity to present its own questions to the candidate, some of which focused on the environment and how the candidates could best serve the Assessor’s Office.

Chicago personal injury attorney Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been practicing Illinois personal injury law for over 30 years, serving those areas in and around Cook County, including Park Ridge, Brookfield, Northbrook, and Calumet City.