Chicago Newsroom 10/05/17 PART 1 - Dan Mihalopoulos

Published on Oct 5, 2017

Ken Davis is joined by Sun-Times columnist Dan Mihalopoulos to discuss his recent column revealing a possible financial conflict for Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, who has been leading the push to repeal the County’s Sweetened Beverage Tax.

Mihalopoulos reported that Boykin, an employee of the national law firm Barnes and Thornberg, has been a paid lobbyist for PepsiCo and the School Nutrition Association, which receives funding from PepsiCo. In that capacity he has advocated against efforts to pass “soda taxes” in Illinois and other states. Boykin says that he has sent a letter to the firm instructing them that he does not wish to receive any proceeds as part of his share as a partner, from PepsiCo or Coca-Cola. This program was produced by Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV).