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* Jason Grotto…
From North Lawndale and Little Village to Calumet City and Melrose Park, residents in working-class neighborhoods were more likely to receive property tax bills that assumed their homes were worth more than their true market value, the Tribune found.
Meanwhile, many living in the county’s wealthier and mostly white communities — including Winnetka, Glencoe, Lakeview and the Gold Coast — caught a break because property taxes weren’t based on the full value of their homes.
As a result, people living in poorer areas tended to pay more in taxes as a percentage of their home’s value than residents in more affluent communities. Known as the effective tax rate, the percentage should be roughly the same for everyone living in a single taxing district.
But the Tribune’s analysis shows the rates became skewed in favor of wealthier residents.
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
“What the Chicago Tribune has revealed today is nothing less than an illicit enterprise that runs right through the Speaker’s office. The Chicago political machine has manufactured a property tax system designed to punish the poor and extort millions from taxpayers for their own benefit. Democratic candidates for Governor – J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy – have profited from this corrupt system. They all have some explaining to do.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
A bombshell three-part series released by the Chicago Tribune this morning documents how the Chicago political machine – Mike Madigan, Joe Berrios, and others involved in the property tax appeals business – have manufactured a property tax system that targets the poor and puts millions in their own pockets.
Some Key Highlights:
Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios has “resisted reforms and ignored industry standards”, creating a “staggering pattern of inequality.”
Berrios, whose “strongest allies” include Mike Madigan and Ald. Edward Burke, has “raised more than $5 million since 2009, more than have of which came from property tax attorneys and businesses associated with them” in his capacity as chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party.
“Some of the state’s most influential political families have been tied to the office or the industry of tax attorneys that has grown up around it; Madigan, Burke, Hynes and Cullerton are among the most prominent.”
They have created “a property tax system that harmed the poor and helped the rich.”
The Assessor’s office “would not say” what methodology is used to determine valuation adjustments.
Property tax appeals lawyer’s fees – lawyers like Mike Madigan and those used by J.B. Pritzker to get massive breaks on his “uninhabitable” mansion – have soared to $35 million per year.
The wealthy are able to get huge tax breaks through the appeals process and loopholes like those that claim properties are not inhabitable.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:18 am
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wait, where have I heard this information some days ago……
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:19 am
Just keep an eye on those Cook Suburbs with less than 20k residents who have been convinced to be Home Rule Communities. They voted for and received “the shaft”.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:25 am
Higher, as a percentage of the Tribs estimate of actual market value. Subtle differences but important.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:25 am
Shocking news that the property tax system in Chicago and Cook county overseen by Michael Madigan favors the wealthy and effectively lowers the standard of living for the poor and middle class.
Could it be that the poor and middle class residents property tax appeals are not as lucrative as the wealthy?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:26 am
Of course that is the case. Less likely to afford an attorney to file assessment appeal. And probably less likely to take off from work to complain to elected officials
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:28 am
TIL Michael Madigan oversees the property tax system in Cook County.
Comment by JPC Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:29 am
Oh, Lucky. How I wish we could blame structural racism on Mike Madigan. It would make fixing it so
much simpler.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:32 am
The Chicago Tribune…Can you trust anything from TRONC? Kass? Tribs editorial board? Take any of there reporting with a grain of salt.
Comment by DeseDemDose Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:36 am
Let’s just kindly ask Madigan & Getzendanner to do more pro bono work.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:37 am
How can that be?!?!
Those Republicans must have set up the system, back when they held the County Board President’s seat in ………….1969.
Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:37 am
Market value and assessed value are hard to sync, especially with just a 30 day window to protest the assessed value.
If your neighborhood homes are losing market value, the assessed value will be too high, unless you protest during the magic 30 day window.
If your neighborhood homes are appreciating in value, the assessed value will appear low.
When assessments are too high, it seems this just another symptom of what happens in stressed neighborhoods. They really have a unique set of problems brought on by lack of economic opportunities, crime, family frameworks.
(Appealing property taxes is not that hard. You don’t have to hire Mike Madigan’s firm to accomplish a reduction. You just have to be engaged in society and have a spirit of continuous learning. Everyone is sent their assessment document with instructions how to protest the assessment. The needed tweek would be to make that a continuous option, not just a 30 day window.)
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:44 am
===the property tax system in Chicago and Cook county overseen by Michael Madigan===
Michael Madigan is the Assesor?
Michael Madigan is the entire Board of Review?
Michael Madigan is the Assessor and the entire Board of Review?
That’s fun.
How’s about being honest to what’s going on here instead of projecting your own ridiculousness.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:47 am
Another indication that in Illinois in almost all taxing and fee collection favors the wealthy. Almost everything we tax is regressive and the poorer you are the more of your income goes to taxes and fee’s, its much harder to be poor.
Comment by independent Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:50 am
Again, Michael Madigan controls everything. This guy has some amazing super powers.
Oswego Willy…spot on.
Comment by Sideline Watcher Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:51 am
It would be nice if some downstate news organizations would conduct the same kind of analyses in their areas, my guess is they would find the same sort of skew.
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:52 am
There’s a big opening for an ambitious Cook County pol to run against Berrios next year. (Chris Kennedy has already laid out the platform.) The Dem primary for guv should fuel a higher turnout, which will lessen the already diminished influence of the “regulars.”
Will Boss Toni sour on her pal Joe?
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:52 am
We see you there Joe…
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:52 am
So keeping the methodology secret is a good idea or good government… Why?
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:54 am
Oswego Willy can you explain how the head of the Cook County Democratoc party Joe Berrios, who is also the Cook County Assessor got his position without the assistance and approval of the head of the Democratic Party in Illinois, Mike Madigan?
Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?
Move along folks nothing to see here
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 9:57 am
- Lucky Pierre -
If you wavy to go after Joe Berrios, have at it.
You want tongs after the Assessor’s Office, the Board of Review, have at that too.
Not everything is “because… Madigan”
It’s a lazy parroting that really ignores the serious issue addressed, as you are more concerned about playing “6 degrees”.
Your lack of honesty to anything except being a shill is your trademark.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:00 am
Ad valorem property taxes are the biggest scam of all time. Totally arbitrary, oft times political, and an increasing burden on a home owner who doesn’t realize any value from the assessed ‘ad valorem’ until the house is sold…usually because as home owners age they can’t afford to pay the cumulative outrageous taxes based on ‘assessments’.
Comment by Horst Cabal Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:03 am
If the problem is more acute in Cook County that elsewhere, then I would be inclined to agree with Lucky Pierre - I just don’t know. But if a similar problem exists somewhere like McLean County, a GOP stronghold for ages, then it’s a problem inherent in the property tax system.
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:04 am
Haven’t had a chance to read the Trib story yet.
Did they compare homeowner vs. homeowner, or did they just pick houses in different neighborhoods with similar valuations? Remember, homeowners get several exemptions (homestead, over 65) that renters do not qualify for, and that has a big impact on rates up front.
Also, the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette did a story (about 5 years ago) about differing assessments at the Champaign Country Club vs. the rest of the city. It was spearheaded by a local realtor who had noticed the differences and had become incensed over the assessment officer’s attitude.
Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:05 am
It really is worth the trouble to appeal. Years ago I went to a community meeting in which we were encouraged to look carefully at our property tax bills for errors, and it segued into a discussion of the appeal process, which really isn’t that difficult. We have appealed numerous times since and have usually gotten a reduction.
As to reforming the whole system? It’s Illinois.
A tough road.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:05 am
OW you forgot control of state level PTAB which was created by GOPies.
Mr/Ms LuckyP check the clips Tribbies tried all this in 2010. 16 month/5 staffer romp ended in total failure. No favors.no fixes. Now they might want to look at DopeyDuct’s 65 self admitted conflicts
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:10 am
Nice to see the Trib cribbing from Dan Proft’s work.
Comment by TheDopeFromHope Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:13 am
The Governor is tweeting about this story now. If anything, it makes the argument for a progressive taxation scheme on income.
Comment by JPC Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:14 am
Memo to Oswego Willy: the Cook County Assessor (Joe Berrios) is a key ally of Speaker Mike Madigan. Quit playing coy.
Comment by Say What? Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:17 am
===the Cook County Assessor (Joe Berrios) is a key ally of Speaker Mike Madigan.===
Again, if all you have is “because… Madigan” when the examples and process point to specific governmental issues, that are legitimate fair game, within the Assessor’s Office, the Board of Review, and as - Annonin’ - points out, PTAB…
If you want to be a simpleton with simple-minded thoughts instead of looking at a serious problem pointed out here, it speaks far more about you than me.
Making it about me isn’t addressing, the Assessor’s Office, Board of Review, or PTAB issues.
I know it makes you feel better, but if that’s your concern, instead of the problem… whew.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:25 am
Tax rates on lower valued areas are almost always higher than tax rates on higher valued areas. Comparing the rates in Calumet City and Winnetka is just silly and they are not even close to being in “a single taxing district” outside of the very few county wide property tax items. Appeals that result in reduction in Winnetka don’t have a practical impact on the people in Calumet City or Ford Heights tax bills.
There is no excuse to be updating the model on a regular basis, NONE.
Mass appraisal for residential properties isn’t perfect, but I don’t know of any other assessing jurisdiction that handles the amount of properties that Cook County does with the high quantity of sales that occur every year. Using 3 years of sales data as has been practice threw the whole process for a loop not just while the 2008 housing bubble burst, but for the next several years as many areas had a lot of conflicting sales data even on the same block.
Comment by Anonish Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:25 am
Dirty little secret (told to me by a former Assessor’s employee): Cook County residential properties are generally over assessed. In the event of a taxpayer appeal resulting in a reduction, the amount saved is only what was over assessed, so the game goes on exactly as planned. The lawyer donates to the Assessor or the Board of Review. The assessment is reduced and the lawyer gets paid a percentage of the savings. It is a rigged game.
Comment by Walter Concrete Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:25 am
@Say- what is your point? Berrios and Madigan collude to make non-rich people pay more? What planet do u live on? Do u know the neighborhood Madigan and Berrios represented are not rich areas?
@Lucky- until your boss Rauner presents a balanced budget everything you write is a pathetic attempt at deflecting your boss’s complete and epic failure as governor.
Comment by Illinois O'Malley Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:27 am
You know it is an obvious hot button issues when democrats like Chris Kennedy, Daniel Biss and Scott Drury are finally pointing out obvious chicanery.
It seems almost everyone except Dems in the GA and OW can admit the obvious conflicts of interest.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:28 am
===…OW can admit the obvious conflicts of interest.===
… and yet, multiple times above I address that these issues need to be addressed and pointed, directly pointed, to where solutions need to be found, and whom is responsible to find solutions to issues addressed here
If you vabt be honest in slam-dunk issues that, as you point out with Dems concerned about Process, but rather be “because… Madigan” first, last, and always… how are you thoughtful to any change you think is needed when you can’t honestly look at issues?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:32 am
@Oswego Willy:
Actually, I have dealt with each and every one of the offices that you defend so vigorously. When is the last time that you appealed a property tax assessment in Cook County?
Comment by Say What? Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:34 am
@Irish O’Malley:
Given the number of patronage workers in the 13th and 31st Wards, I doubt that there are as many of the residents complaining about big government since they are connected to the system.
Comment by Say What? Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:36 am
===Tax rates on lower valued areas are almost always higher than tax rates on higher valued areas. Comparing the rates in Calumet City and Winnetka is just silly and they are not even close to being in “a single taxing district” outside of the very few county wide property tax items.===
Except that’s not what the article says at all. The assessor’s office has nothing to do with the tax rates. The article argues that assessed values are lower in wealthier areas in relation to their true market value when compared to assessed values in poorer areas. It only presents a few examples, but the evidence is pretty damning if you ask me.
Comment by Sox Fan Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:36 am
Cook county residential properties are assessed at a way lower rate then the collar counties.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:38 am
===Actually, I have dealt with each and every one of the offices that you defend so vigorously. When is the last time that you appealed a property tax assessment in Cook County?===
Hmm. That’s a good question. Since I don’t live in Cook, you are either willfully ignorant to where Oswego is, or blissfully unaware as you breathe heavily thru your mouth.
Also, reading is fundamental…
===…multiple times above I address that these issues need to be addressed and pointed, directly pointed, to where solutions need to be found, and whom is responsible to find solutions to issues addressed here===
If you can’t read… what others comment, maybe you sit out a few plays and then comment once you read.
My guess is your heavy mouth breathing fogged up your computer screen, but, I could be wrong.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:38 am
@Sox Fan:
The assessment is not the same as the tax rate, but it is a factor in determining how much someone will pay once tax rate is set.
Comment by Ward Heeler Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:41 am
@OW: Everybody knows where Oswego (Kendall County) is because you post off the wall comments on an ad nauseam basis.
To my point: you admit that you have zero firsthand experience about the internal workings of the Cook County Assessor’s Office or the Cook County Board of Review.
Take an aspirin, lie down and put a cold rag on your head.
Comment by Say What? Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:49 am
===Everybody knows where Oswego (Kendall County) is because you post off the wall comments on an ad nauseam===
… and yet you asked if I… Cook County.
That doesn’t reflect too well on you. Very well, willfully ignorant.
===you admit that you have zero firsthand experience about the internal workings of the Cook County Assessor’s Office or the Cook County Board of Review.===
… I may have family in Cook, I may have moved from Cook, I may through just politics “know” people in Cook that deal, work, whatever IN Cook and those bodies.
The fact you THINK you know is also willfully ignorant that your guess is not based on anything. Yikes, your grasp on things…lol
===Take an aspirin, lie down and put a cold rag on your head===
Actually, I’m fine.
I didn’t admit I’m willfully ignorant, or that I know you or your history in anything pertaining to anything and tried to sell that as fact, and I’m not hyperventilating so hard thru my mouth I can’t read through the moisture I’m costing my computer screen.
Plus, asprin isn’t for headaches anymore… lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 10:56 am
In Kankakee where I live, just over 17% on taxes on my assessed home value. The value is fair and I pay about $4000 in taxes, but less than six miles away in Bourbonnais houses valued twice the rate of mine have a lower percentage and pay less in taxes than I do a year. Mind you, the average income in Kankakee is way less - so I guess they are out after the little guy….
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:06 am
Illinois O Malley you are making the assumption the Speaker is more loyal to the mostly middle class and some poorer residents in his diistrict over the wealthy clients who provide a 7 figure income to the Speaker through his property tax appeal business.
The facts of the Tribune article dispute your thesis
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:09 am
Well, of course, the Cook County real estate tax scam is Madigan’s fault. He wrote the “Rules” for goodness sakes! Anyone who knows the system knows that. Defenders of Madigan are either: 1) Outside of Cook County and/or willfully ignorant; 2) Madigan explainers (ahem, Mr. Oswego); and/or 3) Those directly benefiting from this hustle … businesses/upper-crust types who hired Madigan, Cullerton, Burke, Banks, and their firms, or other plugged-in lawyers, to lower their assessment and thereby stick it to all others, as laid out in the Trib piece. #SuspendYourOwnDisbelief
Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:09 am
===I picture Oswego Willy as one of those know it all World War One era commanding generals (parodied to a fare thee well by Monty Python Flying Circus) safe and secure in splendid isolation, miles from the front lines, waving a pointer at a map and issuing troop movement orders without a clue about actual conditions in the trenches===
And yet, you can’t win on the merits of your own arguments.
That has to be embarrassing for you, not being able to make an argument against me, lol
Plus, I’d probably more Sgt. Bilko than any Monty Python skit character.
===Keep up the good work defending the indefensible (Madigan) while pretending to be a Republican (trashing Rauner).===
1) the issue isn’t Madigan, but the property taxes and issues that either all or some can be directly linked to the Assessor’s Office, Board of Review, and PTAB.
2) Rauner is not a Republican.
===He doesn’t suffer from migraines. He causes migraines===
Ive been known to get hay fever, if that makes you feel better, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:15 am
Y’all are making this too complicated. The less money you have, the more likely you are to be screwed. This isn’t something unique to Cook County/Madigan/Berrios. This isn’t a story about political power. This is a story about race and income inequality. I have no doubt this dynamic plays out throughout the country.
Could things be a little worse here? Sure. Are Madigan and the powers that be aiding/benefiting from this inequality? Yup. That doesn’t change the fact this situation is one example of many of how structural racism plays out.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:18 am
===Defenders of Madigan===
- Deft Wing -
Who is defending Madigan?
Pointing out that the Assessor’s Office, the Board of Review, even PTAB, where these issues need addressing isn’t good?
Do you want changes or just “because… Madigan!”?
As for scammers, Rauner’s three homeowners exemptions are fun. Would you call that scamming, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:20 am
The Trib article isn’t wrong, and provides useful facts, but its plain silly to suggest that under assessment in a wealthy suburb has any material affect on taxes or services in Ford Heights, or Hazel Crest, or any low property value suburb. It affects the allocation of county wide taxes (Cook County and Forest Preserve), but otherwise has virtually no effect on the amount that the high assessed value property pays versus the low assessed value property to support shared government services. What it (unrealistically high assessment values) does do is allow the low value (south and near west) suburbs and school districts to get local property tax dollars to support their missions to serve local residents. The problem here is not that high value suburbs and property owners being underassessed or have lower property taxes than they should. The problem is the lack of sufficient local revenue to provide a reasonable level of local government services in the low assessed value units of government.
but otherwise Trib, great job there.
Comment by Lycurgus Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:36 am
So they overassess (or inaccurately asses) some areas in order to ’support’ them basically? That is an interesting thought… I am sure glad the Cook County property tax assessment system is focused on making life better in SD 149 (Dolton, Calumet City) and not on accurately reflecting the value of property in those areas.
So these folks are paying more than their ‘fair share’ of taxes to the county, it is fundamentally for their own good.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 11:48 am
Lycurgus
makes a great point and the issue is because of the lack of manufacturing, retail in many of these areas the residents have to pay a high rate, and because of the high rate no business is willing to move in.
Comment by 51stward Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 12:09 pm
hi…real questions: How does a proposed property tax freeze address the issues raised in Trib article? What happens after the freeze? Do unfair assessments keep happening and we all have massive sticker shock at the end of the freeze?
thanks
Comment by Dozer Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 12:17 pm
Anybody who doesn’t see that a large part of this problem is the residents of poorer neighborhoods (of any race) having less money for access to lawyers and less understanding of/access into the tax bill appeals process than the wealthy and connected is not looking very hard.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 12:17 pm
Lycurgus: there is no precise connection btw where tax dollars are collected and where they are spent. A higher assessment in Ford Heights does not mean more spending in that area, it means these residents are paying more than they should compared with residents in Wilmette.
By taxing poor areas at a higher rate, you sheild wealthy (powerful) residents from your financial mistakes, and sheild yourself from the political consequences. If wealthy taxpayers had to pay their fair share, the political consequences would push for tax rates to be lower for everyone, forcing gov. reforms.
I know a family with a 3 bed 4 bath at the top of the Hamcock, their apt is worth $2-$2.5M, they pay taxes on a $600k apartment. The Cook County system violates the property rights of more than half its population. This is a major legal catastrophy waiting to happen.
Comment by KAY-ro Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Worked in local gov in both Illinois and California (CA has prop tax limits, very strong ones).
I thought getting through a budget in Illinois was tough. Residents gripe about the levy increase, municipalities gripe about labor contract increases, cost of services etc. At the end of the day, the levy was raised and life went on.
Here in California, completely different. If you can’t find a way to cut costs (under practically the same if not less favorable labor-management rules) you either go bankrupt or become hollowed out. City of San Bernardino a few years back literally didn’t have money to put gas in police cars.
It’s really two different worlds. I see the problem in Illinois where it’s just so easy to raise the levy. Eventually, you get ridiculously high property taxes relative to other states. In California, the governments that can make it run into the ground. If only there was a middle ground!
Comment by California Guy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 12:28 pm
@Say What, so now you’re accusing the citizens of two wards being corrupt, great analysis
@Lucky, no Rauner budget= Lucky and friends fail.
Comment by Illinois O'Malley Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 12:37 pm
Kay-Ro,
you don’t understand how the property tax system works.
Comment by Lycurgus Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 12:50 pm
Kay-Ro,
I should not have said that. I apologize. If you are only talking about the effect that under assessment of high value parcels within a single taxing district has upon lower value parcels within the same single taxing district (City of Chicago and CPS in your Hancock building condo example), then you are correct. What is incorrect is to extend that comparison (as the Trib did) to the assessment of property that is not within the same taxing districts (other than the 2 county-wide - Cook County and the Cook County Forest Preserve that all cook county taxpayers contribute to).
Whether an individual assessment in a north suburban taxing district is fair or unfair has virtually no effect on what a south suburban property is assessed or what the owner of that property will pay in taxes, outside of the tiny slice of their tax bill that goes to the county-wide taxing agencies.
this is not to say over-assessment is not a problem, but over-assessment is simply a way of covering up the problem of property value impoverished taxing districts that do not have adequate revenue to provide a decent level of government service absent the ability to tax over-assessed local property owners.
Comment by Lycurgus Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 1:10 pm
One more reason school funding needs to be changed yesterday.
Comment by Shemp Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 1:13 pm
It’s funny to read the comments of people who didn’t bother to read the article.
@Dozer - Yes. Part 2 (out of 3) of the story is dedicated to the major methodology problems that date back to the 80s and 90s. Berrios has been reluctant to make the necessary changes to provide more accurate assessments, even when Houlihan hired Harris School Professors do all the work for them.
So regardless of what happens with the property tax rates, the assessments are so statistically off that you’re going to see massive fluctuations until they implement a more accurate system.
To the post, anyone defending the Cook Co Assessors office while maintaining that the Democrats “are going to make the rich pay their fair share” is deluding themselves.
Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 1:17 pm
Lot’s of talk here about Berrios’ ties to Madigan — totally legit.
But Toni Preckwinkle is also a big protector/enabler of the Cook County Assessor. Would like to hear her thoughts on this.
Comment by Tommy S. Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 1:51 pm
My friend Willy is a Chicagoan through and through like Saul Bellow.
I have known him my whole life.
I last saw “Oswego Willy” years ago when he was working at Riverview Park in the dunk tanks. His job was to insult the yokels so they would line up to throw baseballs at the target in an effort to dunk him. He was a great shill back in the day and he made a lot of money.
Now, go and get your shinebox!
Comment by Stewed Prunes Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 2:01 pm
- Stewed Prunes -
Carny Folk?
That’s the best you got? You waited and typed and re-read and giggled and hit “say it!”… for Carny Folk.
Meh, I’ve been called worse.
Now, if you took all that precious mouth-breathing time trying to refute my thoughts or position to make an argument, well, that would impress me more.
I still think my Sgt. Bilko was pretty good.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 2:05 pm
Governor could fix this. Dept. of Revenue has the authority to mandate assessments meet certain quality standards and can order a re-assessment if those standards are not met. Maybe time to do something rather that just making political points.
Comment by zdfg Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 2:12 pm
- Stewed Prunes -
For the record,
I took your comment not as snark, but mocking the Saul Bellow who later faced more criticism for a leftist tilt, fair or unfair.
So, I went to simplicity, I went to the carny folk vision ya gave me and ran with it.
Hope that clears that up, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 2:27 pm
This fits with academic work on property taxes I read back in the day. Basically that poorer communities have to jack up property taxes just to provide the minimal services that they can afford, while communities with higher property values have lower taxes. Then with less services those poorer communities continue to be unappealing places to live, holding values down, forcing taxes up, and on and on.
Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 2:42 pm
The maps in the article say it all. You appeal to Madigans firm (or some other politically connected firm) and you get a break. Don’t have enough cash, time, or know-how to appeal? You’re stuck. It’s a cog in the wheel of the Chicago political machine.
@Stewed Prunes plz help OW get back to that job. If you don’t, well all continue to suffer through comments in nearly every post about how “governor’s own” and “because Madigan” comparisons.
Comment by BKbro Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 3:33 pm
Oh - BK bro -
It’s summer, 80+ degrees, you need to lighten up… or have better arguments, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 3:37 pm
The top 1% gets 25% of all IL personal income. So it matters bigly that their overall state and local tax rate is less than half what most taxpayers carry.
Comment by X-prof Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 4:08 pm
Maybe someone can answer where the money comes from to make up for deferred prop taxes via the Cook County Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program. The Cook County Treasurer’s website says the money comes from the county and state. How is that possible considering their fiscal situation?
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 4:10 pm
=Market value and assessed value are hard to sync, especially with just a 30 day window to protest the assessed value.=
You are not wrong, and I agree with your post.
Get out and file a protest if you think you are over assessed (and have proof) if not you have no reason to complain. Kind of like term limits- we have them just go vote.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jun 7, 17 @ 6:50 pm