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

COOK COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) -- Some Cook County homeowners are panicking as the deadline to pay property taxes approaches. Some living in Chicago's West and South Side communities are especially concerned.

A North Lawndale retiree explained he's had to take on a rideshare job to pay his higher property tax.

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"It's got to change. We cannot go on like this. You will not tax us out of the community; we are here to stay," North Lawndale resident Abraham House-El said.

Some West Side residents and pastors held a press conference Monday morning, pleading for help, as the Cook County property taxes are due in two weeks. They fear the higher bills could lead to vacant buildings and homelessness.

"The people who can least afford to pay are given the highest bills; it means get out of town. We don't want you in this city," said the Rev. Marshall Hatch, with New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.

Treasurer Maria Pappas reports a sharp drop in the value of downtown commercial buildings, paying about $129 million less this cycle because of higher vacancy rates over the years.

Conversely some Black and brown communities on the South and West sides had been undervalued.

So for instance, in West Garfield Park, bills soared 133%.

North Lawndale saw a 99% spike, and in Englewood, taxes climbed more than 80%.

The nonprofit Sankofa Cultural Arts and Business Center in Austin uses two property IDs, and its property taxes went up $10,000 for this billing cycle.

"I'm supposed to come up with this money by the 15th, and then March the first I'm going to get another bill for the same thing. No how we as business owners are going to be able to service our community," said Malcolm Crawford, with Sankofa Cultural Arts and Business Center.

Property owners can have their current bills adjusted by the assessor's office if they are not getting the exemptions for which they qualify, like homeowner and senior exemptions.

"It's a zero-sum game. So when one group pays less everyone else picks up the tab," said Angelina Romero chief communications officer for the Cook County Assessor's Office.

Property owners can appeal with the Board of Review, but any adjustment would not be reflected until the next year's bill.

"Everyone should have a fair system, a fair shot at proper assessments," Cook County Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas said.

The system that created this disparity will likely not be fixed in the next two weeks.

In the meantime, homeowners may set up a payment plan or appeal their assessment for future bills with the Board of Review.