I am grateful to all our volunteers, donors and supporters that enabled us to file for candidacy in the race for the Cook County Assessor’s Office. With their commitment and courage in mind, it is unfortunate that I announce my withdrawal from the race for Cook County Assessor’s Office.

This decision was made for personal reasons, with the understanding of the challenges and expense of pending legal objections to our petitions.

I am mindful of what it takes to succeed public office and will be open and prepared for this in the future.

There is a growing awareness that at the center of the assessment and tax appeals process is money, power and politics in Illinois and especially in Cook County.

We must continue our vigilance to hold elected officials to high standards of conduct. Assessment officials must be accountable for administering our tax and appeal system with greater efficiency.

Our elected officials must work together to avoid unfair shifts in tax burdens, and implement responsible controls over ever escalating property taxes.

I am committed to continuing my property reform advocacy work

Sincerely, Andrea Raila

PS: Hope you can attend our FREE Volunteer Thanks Event Friday Nov 13, 2009 5:30-8:30 PM 676 N LaSalle Media Center 2nd Flr Chicago (limited free parking). Entertainment by Ben Hollis, host of Wild Chicago, in "What's It Like To Be You?" Willing audience members are interviewed about their lives...see http://www.wiltby.com/iWeb/WILTBY/Welcome.html

Don't Mess With Big Joe
Chicago Reader - Chicago,IL,USA
Two weeks ago, Andrea Raila was eagerly gathering signatures to her nominating petitions and talking about cleaning up our rancid property tax system once ...