Conflict of interest 
on Board of Review

Larry Rogers Jr. is running for his sixth term on the Cook County Board of Review, a tax appeal panel. He has collected more than $800,000 from property tax attorneys, appraisers and consulting firms in the last 10 years.

“While the contributions are legal, accepting money from people with business before the board has long been criticized as an inherent conflict of interest.” (“Tax official’s donors scrutinized,” Chicago Tribune, Feb. 15, p. 1)

At every level of government, politicians taking money — especially big contributions — from those with business before them is an inherent conflict of interest whether the contributions come from gun, pharmaceutical, insurance, financial, fossil fuel, corporate or labor interests.

Replacing big contributions with public funding of election campaigns has worked well at the state, county and city level. One way to do it is to match small contributions with some multiple of public funds. It is the best way to reduce conflict of interest and favoritism and get government that is efficient and works for everyone.

Richard Barsanti

Western Springs