Remember Illinois Review's first "Friends of Froehlich" story questioning the comments State Rep. Paul Froehlich (D-Schaumburg) wrote at the bottom of a Board of Review appeal report? Comments that suggested a quid pro quo for intervening on behalf of the Schaumburg Comfort Suites' owner?
The Daily Herald reported Friday that Froehlich -- who they seem to have avoided writing about -- has ties to some Schaumburg area assessment appeals that the Board of Review has suddenly reversed. One is the Comfort Suites:
The assessment for Comfort Suites Schaumburg, at 1100 E. Higgins Road, owned by Bimal Doshi, which the board had lowered from approximately $1.3 million for 2007 to $839,000 for last year, was increased to nearly $1.1 million.
The Chicago Tribune gives a little more information. It refers to a Cook County grand jury investigation concerning Froehlich, his political operative Victor Santana and their possible connections to Board of Review Commissioner (and Cook County Democratic Party Chairman) Joe Berrios.
County prosecutors conducting a grand jury investigation have subpoenaed files for 25 tax cases, including the four cases involving the properties the board increased. None of the property owners has been accused of any wrongdoing, and either they or their attorneys have said they did nothing improper.
Illinois Review recently pointed out that Rep. Froehlich, who told the Daily Herald he'll not seek re-election in 2010, hired criminal defense attorney firm Genson & Gillespie, paying them $25,000 out of his campaign fund.
