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* Greg Hinz…
In a blockbuster report with huge political implications, an outside consultant concluded that Cook County’s residential property tax system is stacked against the little guy, with assessments far more variable and “much more regressive” than they should be, especially in the city of Chicago.
The problem starts with proposed assessments issued by Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, and actually gets worse as some homeowners, generally those well-off enough to hire a lawyer, appeal to the Board of Review. And in the end, the owners of relatively low-priced homes, many of them African-American and Latino, end up paying more than they should, with a relative break given to owners of more expensive properties, many of them owned by whites. […]
If the report is accurate, it’s striking how far the system is from performing as it should. For instance, by the coefficient of dispersion (COD) measure used by assessors, most homes should be valued within 5 percent to 15 percent of their true market value. In the county as a whole, that standard barely has been met, the report found. But in Chicago, the average COD was 25—almost five times the low end of the recommended variability range. […]
In the South township of the city, the average COD found was 21. In Hyde Park Township, it was 30; in Lake Township on the West Side, 44; and in south suburban Calumet, almost 50. The population in all of those is predominantly black.
In comparison, the CODs in the north lakefront’s North and Lake View Township were 13 and 11, respectively. And in suburban Elk Grove, Palatine and Orland, the CODs all were 8 or less.
Man. Just… Man.
The full report is here.
* From Clem Balanoff, chairman of Our Revolution Illinois/Chicago…
“The Civic Consulting Alliance today released a scathing report confirming that Assessor Joe Berrios runs a regressive residential assessment process. The report, which Joe Berrios has been relying on to save his failed tenure as Assessor, reinforces what many have been saying for months: Berrios runs a corrupt, pay-to-play office that overtaxes working and middle-class families in order to reward his campaign donors.
It has been 254 days since the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica exposed Joe Berrios’s corrupt assessment process. Since then, another cycle of assessments has passed, forcing many residents to pay more than their fair share in property taxes, including costs passed on to renters, while billionaires like Donald Trump get millions in tax breaks.
Joe Berrios faces $41,000 in fines from the Board of Ethics for accepting illegal contributions from property tax lawyers doing business with his office. His actions have also led to a major lawsuit against Cook County by community organizations seeking to correct the unjust system.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Tribune…
Democrat Andrea Raila’s bid to run for Cook County assessor suffered a serious blow Thursday, when county election officials kicked her off the March 20 primary ballot.
Raila, though, said she will appeal in court. If a judicial ruling doesn’t reverse Cook County Electoral Board’s decision, the Democratic primary will feature a one-on-one matchup between two-term incumbent Joe Berrios and asset manager Fritz Kaegi.
The Electoral Board signed off on a recommendation made last week by hearing officer Christopher Agrella, who found a “pattern of fraud” within the Raila campaign’s collection of petition signatures to run for office. That alleged fraud wiped out thousands of signatures, putting her below the threshold needed to get on the ballot.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Following is a statement from Fritz Kaegi, the progressive Democrat running against incumbent Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios in the March 2018 primary election, in response to the newly released Civic Consulting Alliance (CCA) property tax assessment report commissioned by the Cook County Board.
“Today’s CCA report is the latest in a mountain of expert analysis that over the years all point to one indisputable conclusion: Assessor Berrios has failed the taxpayers of Cook County.
“Berrios campaigned on a promise to fix property tax regressivity in 2010–but during his tenure as Assessor, he has focused on filling his own campaign coffers and serving the interests of clouted property tax attorneys and wealthy property owners.
“Under Joe Berrios, wide swaths of the South Side, West Side and Southland have suffered greatly under a property tax assessment system that leads to tremendous inequity. It’s time to give Cook County taxpayers the property tax assessment system that they deserve and expect.
“As Assessor, I will bring integrity, fairness and transparency to the Assessor’s office and end the nepotism, corruption and pay-to-play politics that have come to define Berrios’s tenure.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Chris Kennedy…
Today’s report proves that Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios knowingly gutted the economic future of so many homeowners, particularly in African-American and Latino communities, while our schools are underfunded, so that his wealthy and well-connected friends could save money. He’s been unapologetic and shameless throughout this investigation.
His tenure as assessor is a complete complete disgrace, and it’s exactly what’s wrong with the political establishment in Illinois. I called on Joe Berrios to resign months ago and today I renew that call. JB Pritzker took 48 hours to criticize the way Speaker Madigan handled a sexual harassment complaint and has been silent for months on Joe Berrios’ corrupt property tax system. With the evidence outlined in today’s study, he has no choice but to denounce Berrios and join my call for him to resign.
JB has spent $50 million in this campaign upping his profile but that money hasn’t bought any courage to stand up to the political insiders who are hurting the people of Illinois.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Andrea Raila…
In a much anticipated decision, the Cook County election board upheld the decision to remove Andrea Raila’s name from the March 20 primary ballot after thousands of military ballots with Andrea Raila for Cook County Assessor have already been mailed.
By refusing to drop his challenge, Frederick “Fritz” Kaegi continues his efforts to keep a qualified woman off the ballot because of technicalities, which have allowed other candidates on the ballot, but are called a pattern of fraud in Raila’s case.
“The inconsistencies of this board’s decisions is an embarrassment to the democratic process. 14,500 voters—supporters who signed Raila’s petitions lost today. Today was an example of the typical good ole boys sticking together,” said Raila.
Raila said, “The decision amplifies the disenfranchisement of women and minorities who are working so hard to gain access to the democratic process. It is unAmerican.”
In the year of the Woman, we are witnessing a man running for office under the banner of a Progressive, but using old school democratic tactics to knock the first Democratic woman to run for this office in 85 years off the ballot.
“My election attorney was not even allowed to present witnesses and affidavits that show Frederick “Fritz” Kaegi’s name on petitions that were circulated before the legal date allowed.” Raila added.
In the bowels of the board of elections, some twenty plus women clutching the special Newsweek edition SHE PERSISTED, gasped when the ruling announced and shouted. ‘SHAME ON YOU!” We will prevail!
*** UPDATE 5 *** Biss…
Today, Daniel Biss released the following statement in response to the release of an independent study reviewing Cook County’s property tax assessment process.
“Middle-class families like mine don’t need a study or high-priced consultant to tell us property taxes are stacked against us, and neither do wealthy homeowners like JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy who have, for years, exploited the system for six figures in tax breaks. We all understand that the system is rigged, but that’s where the similarities end: I have a personal stake in fixing the system while my opponents benefit from its continuation. That’s why I’ve worked with ordinary homeowners, advocacy groups, and my colleagues in the legislature to find ways to root our corruption and hold wealthy homeowners accountable for paying their fair share. I was proud to introduce the HOME Act in June to bring transparency and fairness to our property tax system and will continue fighting for progressive reforms when I’m governor.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:36 pm
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Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:43 pm
He’s toast, I give him +250 to win the primary
Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:47 pm
Press release from Berrios will say that the CCA is highly inaccurate and bias. Watch.
Comment by Lady Lefty Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:47 pm
He might have a family member say that.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:03 pm
Preckwinkle is hilarious, “But we’ve only been here for 8 years”
Comment by Rutro Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:04 pm
==Preckwinkle is hilarious==
How on earth is this related to Preckwinkle?
Comment by PJ Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:07 pm
Fioretti is tweeting that Preckwinkle is under investigation for improper campaign contributions. Anyone know what he is talking about?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:10 pm
https://mobile.twitter.com/BobForCook/status/964147768888524800
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:12 pm
The report indicates how regressive the assessments get after tax appeals. What the report states is that higher end properties (read wealthy people) appeal more often that lower end properties (read poorer people). There is nothing illegal here and quite honestly probably happens in all jurisdictions. This is a simple fact that wealthy people have access to lawyers to appeal their assessments. Unfortunately the system is set up this way. This will make it into the Governor’s race but for the wrong reasons. If Rauner really wanted to make this an issue he would call on the Speaker to help lead a revamp of the assessment process. One that doesn’t favor the wealthy over the poor.
Comment by Baggs McCoy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:35 pm
==How on earth is this related to Preckwinkle?==
She protected and defended Joe. This report should be cover to part ways with him if she’s smart. If she chooses not to, she’ll share the blame.
Comment by Well Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:36 pm
Read trib. Piece, also why does report have “embargo until 2/15”?
Comment by @pj Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:37 pm
You go Chris,
Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:48 pm
–Read trib. Piece, also why does report have “embargo until 2/15”?–
Because they couldn’t get away with “embargo until 3/21?” /s
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:52 pm
You don’t want to fix something, it doesn’t get fixed.
Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 5:07 pm
Berrios is gone.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 5:30 pm
I am starting to think Wordslinger is right. The drumbeat against Joe is starting to sound a lot like what we heard for Anita Alvarez. And this one could bring Preckwinkle down as well.
Comment by Tominchicago Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 5:38 pm
Strong response by Kennedy. Where are Pritzker and Biss?
Comment by Anon18 Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 5:41 pm
strong response from Kennedy because he was on this….and spot on on this….months ago. Toni is strongly linked to Berrios,sickening. both of them must go.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 6:08 pm
Joe was too busy hiring relatives to notice.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 6:58 pm
Baggs McCoy, no, it “doesn’t happen everywhere.” That’s the point you missed. Are you on Berrios’ payroll or just thick?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 7:05 pm
Arther Anderson:
I’m assuming assuming you didn’t understand what I was trying to convey or I didn’t convey it properly. When I said ‘it isn’t illegal and probably happens everywhere’ I was referencing he previous sentence discussion how rich people use lawyers to reduce heir appeals. So yes that happens everywhere. Indeed rich people use lawyers because…well they are wealthy and have the money to afford one. They also have more time to pay attention to these things. They can probably take the time off work to go talk to the lawyer. Like I said, the system is stacked against those of lesser means.
Comment by Baggs McCoy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 8:21 pm
I am literally writing this from stats class.
So here’s the thing: The coefficient of dispersion (COD) is based on a percentage of the home value. That makes the targets really small for low-priced houses, while you have some margin for error for higher-priced houses. That means you’ll expect a greater COD in poor neighborhoods.
Think about it.
Consider this 3-bed, 1-bath house in Calumet City, which sold for 22,000 last August. Now, if the assessor comes in and assesses it for 25,000, that’s off by 3,000 — a COD of 13.6. That’s barely within the recommended range — even though the house had actually been put on the market for $25,500 — which means that a local realtor thought it was within the realm of possibility.
Now consider this 3-bed, 1.1. bath in Palatine, which is on the market for $250,000. If the assessor comes in at 240,000, that’s a $10,000 error — but that’s a COD of 4.
Low prices make a higher COD more likely. That doesn’t mean that the study isn’t useful, but put the percentages in perspective.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 8:32 pm
Madigan has had a very tough week.
Comment by Yikes Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 8:38 pm
Let me see if I understand: The Cook County Circuit Clerk is corrupt and incompetent. The Cook County Assessor is corrupt and incompetent. How many corrupt and incompetent elected officials can Cook County withstand before we get smart?
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 8:45 pm
Soccermom,
COD is about the quality of the assessment. How close is the assessment to the legally mandated level. In your example while you cite a Lower value, the divination from the sale price is greater than the higher prices example you use. This is all simple mathematics. In the study above the bad number for Berrios is he price related differential. This is a mathematical equation that tells an assessor if they are over valuing lower priced homes versus higher prices homes.
Comment by Baggs McCoy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 8:55 pm
what, Tommy Jaconnetty did not manage this? great ghost of Tom Keane what will they do?
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:38 pm
Baggs, now I see your point. Thanks for restating.
I would agree with you that the while the CoD is nothing to write home about, the price-related differential is the more problematic set of results in the report.
PS: Mom, you have my sympathies.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:44 pm
If Ms. Raila thinks that in a challenge filed against her her attorney should be allowed to present evidence against Kaegi’s petitions instead of filing a challenge against him, maybe it’s a good thing she won’t get a chance to assess our property.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:51 pm
2009. Divulgado dentro de: 26 com outubro a 2010. http://za2.us/sexoaovivo57584
Comment by http://za2.us/ Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 12:25 am
When Berrios loses will he resign from Cook County Dems or fight it?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 12:31 am
Berrios has surrounded himself with advisors that are neither the best or the brightest. He will soon pay the price.
Comment by Jeff Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 5:45 am
Voting against both Prekwinkle and Berrios in the primary
Comment by Ron Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 6:18 am
AA — Obviously I am no champion of Berrios, but I do think we need to remember that percentages are a bit deceiving when we are comparing really small denominators to really big denominators.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:12 am
Soccermom,
What you are talking about is the appearance of smaller values versus larger values not the actual deviation that the statistics are equating. In your example above the actual deviation from your sale price of the lower values home is larger than the deviation of the higher priced home therefore the COD is larger. This deviation statistic is exactly what the COD measures.
Comment by Baggs McCoy Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:45 am