Steele-Kaegi match for Cook County assessor revolves around calls for, reform, transparency, fairness

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, right, said the reforms he has helped implement are on the line in his primary election against Democrat Kari Steele, left, the president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. (Pat Nabong; Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file)

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi contends voters should give him a second term to preserve the reforms he’s made to protect beleaguered homeowners — but Democratic primary challenger Kari Steele argues Kaegi should be ousted to ease the suffering of small “mom-and-pop” business owners.

The two Democrats both see property owners as eager for reform — but they disagree who can deliver it and how.