About Commissioner Berrios
"..if you work hard enough, you can accomplish a lot of things in life"
Joseph Berrios moved into Cabrini Green on the north side of Chicago as a six year old in 1958. He talks often about where he lived, “ We lived in one of the highrises, one of the seven-story buildings. Our building was very unique because we had approximately sixty-five apartments and everybody knew each other and talked to one another.”
He continues, “It was a good experience for me. I’m one of seven kids. We first lived in a small two bedroom on Elm Street before we had the opportunity to move into Cabrini Green.My parents worked and didn’t make a lot of money, so moving into Cabrini was a step up for us. I had a very unique chance to be able to grow up within the Cabrini Green community and then move to where I live now. But I’ve always been able to relate to all people anywhere in Cook County because I grew up within Cabrini.”
He talks about his background before he became an elected official. “I started working when I was about thirteen years old. I started out as a dishwasher in the Tower Club. My aunt got me the job by telling them I was sixteen. I was sixteen for three years at that place. They kept asking me, “When are you going to be seventeen?” I kept saying, “Not yet, not yet.” It was a good experience. I worked as a dishwasher, then became a kitchen helper, then a bus boy, and finally a waiter. I went through the whole restaurant business. I worked there seven years. Right after school everyday I would go to work. That curtailed a lot of my sports activity.”
He goes on to talk about his education, “I was lucky. I was accepted at Lane Tech. There were five of us that took the test to get into Lane Tech. I was the only one accepted. It was a big deal back then. It was a good school. Later, I went to the University of Illinois. I was in the business department and received an accounting degree.” He says, “My parents were always trying to be sure that we got a little further than they did. It was mandatory for us to go to school. All my brothers and sisters finished high school. I not only had my parents but also people I met in politics telling me I had to finish school.”
Politics started at an early age for Joe. He says, “I got into politics when we moved to the Northwest Side during my junior year in high school. I got involved with a political organization through my precinct captain in my last year of high school. The funny part is that I never intended to go on to college. But everyone I met said, “You have to go to college.” I was graduating from high school and State Senator Ed Nedza came up and said “You gotta go to school.” I knew him pretty well and we’ve kept up a relationship throughout the years. My parents were also saying “Yeah, you’re going to school.” So, I had a double whammy. I got myself into college and made it through.”
Joe came to the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals (now the Board of Review) as Chief Clerk. He talks about his other political aspirations, “In 1982, I had the opportunity to run for state representative. I was elected three times to the legislature. When former Commissioner Harry Semrow passed away, I decided to take a chance and run for Commissioner of the Board of Tax Appeals, now called the Board of Review. I’ve been Commissioner since 1988.”
Joe Berrios was the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. More recently he became the first Hispanic elected to be Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party. He concludes by saying, “We’ll see what happens in the future. It is funny to reflect on my life and politics. When we were living in Cabrini Green, everybody would say you were going to reach a certain level and not go any further. I’ve always taken the attitude that you might not be successful all the time. You know, you are going to have your ups and downs. But if you fight hard enough, you can accomplish a lot of things in life.”
Joe has been elected Commissioner of the Board of Review 5 times.