The Tax Divide
Inequities and Errors Riddle Cook County’s Property Tax Assessments
For years, the Cook County assessor’s office overvalued low-priced properties while undervaluing high-priced ones. The deeply flawed system led to inequities in property taxes, punishing the poor and small business owners, while giving the wealthy unsanctioned tax breaks and lining the pockets of politically connected tax attorneys. Our series of stories is in partnership with the Chicago Tribune.