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.
Featured
How the Cook County Assessor Failed Taxpayers
Joseph Berrios' error-ridden commercial and industrial assessments punish property owners, benefit lawyers.
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ProPublica Illinois a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting
The series is the first Pulitzer Prize finalist for ProPublica Illinois, a nonprofit newsroom that launched just six months ago as ProPublica’s first regional, state-based unit.
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios’ Defeat Opens the Door to Reform
Democratic primary winner Fritz Kaegi pledged change, but delivering it won’t be easy.
Flawed Assessments Caused $2 Billion Shift in Property Taxes, Study Finds
Under Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios, assessment system shaved $1 billion from Chicago’s most expensive homes, while owners of lower-valued homes picked up the tab.
Cook County’s Residential Property Tax Assessments Deeply Unfair, Independent Study Confirms
Findings that assessments were error-ridden and burdened the poor undermine Assessor Joseph Berrios’ claims that he properly valued residential property.
As March Primary Nears, Study on Cook County Property Tax System Still Under Wraps
Initial mid-December deadline for review gives way to new release date: late February.
Rauner Takes Aim at State Lawmakers Who Appeal Property Taxes
But the Illinois governor's effort may have little impact on the system.
Ethics Board Fines Cook County Assessor Over Campaign Contributions
Rulings add to controversy surrounding Assessor Joseph Berrios, though Berrios’ lawyers say contribution limits are unconstitutional.
Cook County Assessor’s Old-School Politics Come With a Price for Taxpayers
As Berrios’ court fight drags on, critics and others fear patronage hurts the office’s property tax work.
Watchdog Group Calls for Reform to Cook County Assessor’s Office
Pressure continues to mount for greater transparency and oversight of the office.
Lawsuit Targets Berrios Over Unfair, Error-Riddled Assessments
Attorneys are asking a judge to force Berrios to adopt reforms and are seeking a monitor to oversee the process.
I Spent Years Reporting on Chicago’s Property Tax System. Here’s What Got Me Out of the Weeds.
Behind all the technical terms and the statistics is a story about the simple concept of fairness.
How We Analyzed Commercial and Industrial Property Assessments in Chicago and Cook County
An in-depth analysis of hundreds of thousands of property tax records under Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios.
Cook County Assessor: Office Cuts Make It Tough to Get Tax Bills Out On Time
Embattled assessor Joseph Berrios said he has already saved the county millions.
