Cook County assessor faces angry questions from West Side homeowners over sharp property tax hikes

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Monday night's workshop was one of three being put on by the Cook County Assessor's Office this week in some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by property tax increases.

But even with some one-on-one guidance, for many, this year's bill is simply unaffordable.

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"I've made no changes in my place. And yet, I'm caught with a 400% increase," said West Garfield Park resident Michael Strode.

Holding onto their second installment property tax bills, dozens of people packed the basement of West Garfield Park's New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on Monday evening, looking for answers and anything that might explain their skyrocketing bills.

"They gave me a bill for $2,500," said Selestine Washington, another West Garfield Park resident. "Then, I'm going to turn around and get a bill in a couple more months."

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Monday night's event was, in equal parts, an informational session hosted by the Cook County Assessor's Office and a community rally.

On the one hand, county employees worked with residents to see if they might be missing out on any qualifying property tax exemptions. On the other, religious leaders and city council members representing the neighborhoods hardest hit by the latest reassessment rallied the crowd of angry homeowners.

"We need the same treatment that they have up north here on the West Side of Chicago," said 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin. "This is an error that has been perpetrated on us by the assessor's office."

The Cook County Treasurer's Office estimates the average residential bill in the city of Chicago increased by more than 16% this year. A slump in commercial real estate downtown is being blamed for the increases. But three of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods are seeing spikes that are hard to imagine.

In West Garfield Park, bills soared 133%. North Lawndale saw a 99% spike. And in Englewood, taxes climbed more than 80%.

"We're here to help people fight back. We've got to make noise," said Rev. Marshall Hatch with New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. "We need, really, those taxes to be frozen in last year's rate until we can figure out how to make this system fair and make this system make sense."

READ MORE | Chicago residents worry over Cook County property tax increases as payment due soon

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi faced many angry questions even as he tried to pass the blame onto others for the current predicament.

"There is a system of appeals, where reductions are being made and pushed onto us," Kaegi said.

Michael Strode said, in response, "I'm in the hood. I don't have the money to purchase a tax attorney to keep on retainer to get my property lower."

Cook County property tax bills are due Dec. 15. Those unable to pay on time will be able to sign up for a payment plan with the Cook County Treasurer's Office starting on Dec. 16.