Here’s something you don’t see every day: A politician providing excruciating details on tax increases.
It’s a report from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas titled “20 years of Property Taxes in Cook County.” Her press release is here.
It’s ugly.
Among its findings:
While the cost of living has risen just 36 percent over 20 years,
- In all of Cook County, total taxes billed increased 99 percent, from $7.85 billion to $15.58 billion
- In Chicago, total taxes on residential properties skyrocketed 164 percent, from $1.33 billion to $3.51 billion
- In Chicago, total taxes on commercial properties rose 81 percent, from $1.92 billion to $3.48 billion
- In suburban Cook County, total taxes on residential properties jumped 116 percent, from $2.45 billion to $5.29 billion
- In suburban Cook County, total taxes on commercial properties rose 53 percent, from $2.15 billion to $3.30 billion
But those are just averages; some communities fared far worse. “I was shocked, you gotta be kidding,” Pappas told WGN. “The third Ward is 431%, the 27th ward is 322%…it was already bad really bad.” A breakdown by particular communities is in the report.
You can search the 20-year history on your home or any particular property here.
We’ve earlier praised Pappas for the unusual level of transparency and professionalism in her office. When we’ve asked for information they’ve provided it promptly and accurately.
Bravo.
-Mark Glennon
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
What is missing in this conversation is you pay the increase every year. The gain on the value (if there really is one) is once you sell. It may be to your advantage if the value always rises. Many cities are dropping yet the property taxes are not.
30,000 Six-Figure Illinois Educators Cost Taxpayers $3.7 Billion
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2018/06/04/the-exclusive-100000-club-meet-30000-members-at-the-illinois-teachers-retirement-system-trs/#646fbefc6129
Reason for the huge increase?
Cops, teachers and firemen pay has gone up so much only a huge tax increase could pay for it. And that still is not enough, pension costs are going to the moon or farther.
You have not seen anything yet, the best is yet to come.
And it never ends. The dumbass voters in my school district 87 passed a $105MM bond issue that will ultimately cost $150MM to tear down perfectly good schools and build new. Of course, the dumbass school board says it’s for the kids who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
They are tomorrow’s leaders but in another state as they are leaving in large numbers for greener pastors.
Wonder why Illinois has an out migration?
Wonder no more.
You haven’t seen anything yet. The pace of out migration is going to increase at an increasing rate. No one likes to be gouged and that is what the State of Illinois is doing to the poor honest hard working taxpayer and their families.
The only workers getting a real increase in earnings work for the Government, not for the taxpayer.
Maria Pappas is the only straight-shooting “politician” left in Chicago/Crook County. Kind of reminds me of Judy Barr Topinka.
The fun has just begun. Taxes will double every 5 years from now on for generations to come.
Multi-million dollar pensions will be paid from by increased taxes, 100% for sure.
The good life costs lots of taxpayers money.
Remember “Shut up and pay your taxes” is the rally cry of the greedy government worker.
In Nevada, there is a 3% cap on property tax increases. Democratic Machine is crushing wealth, and with Covid policy crushing lives.
But, but, but, we need more revenue, we have budget deficits. If we just had more revenue all of our problems would be solved. If the rich paid their fair share, all of problems would be solved. Give me more money.
Ms Pappas just made a career limiting move by publishing this report. STOP SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY!.
What is missing here are the property values over 20 years. I checked my sister’s home in Lincoln Square and her home value almost tripled (2.8x) during that time. Her tax increase was 160%. My friends former home a few blocks away tax’s increased by 360% but the value more than tripled so his tax’s are over $9K on a $525K home. Here in Rockford home values during that time went down but tax rates went up except for the last 2 years yet our tax’s almost doubled on a declining value. That stinks! Chicago has nothing to complain about… Read more »
Home values downstate haven’t risen in 20 years. Taxes skyrocketed. Buying a home in Illinois is the worst financial decisions you can make.
tax’s?
What is “tax’s”? ?
I live in northern suburbs and my property has gone up 30% and taxes doubled so don’t tell me Chicago area has nothing to complain about
Curious. What is the percentage of tax to value. That is a good indicator. Are you at 4 or 5% of value like we are and have been? Here in Rockford we were at 5%+ of value for a few years now around 4.2% which is/was up to 4 times higher than the City of Chicago with little or no appreciation. Property tax is higher than the mortgage. Many homes in Chicago for years the tax was around 1% of value now 2% and people complain. I was referring to Chicago only. Cook county should be under Ptell but Chicago… Read more »
Property taxes of two percent of property value is still a considerably higher rate than most of the rest of the country. For example, 2% is 100 percent higher than 1% and 33% higher than 1.5%. Sorry for sounding condescending, but I’m amazed how many adults in our country have a math proficiency level of third or fourth grade. Also, you and many others in the Chicago area have drunk way too much of the Kool-Aid. A two percent PT rate is too high, and the rates in Rockford are off the chart. So, it’s not that Chicago isn’t paying… Read more »
No
No what?
Whadda ya got ??
I have nothing. I say no to drugs. ?
I’ve been following the Cook County property tax scene for over 20 years and have never seen anything like her report before. Bravo to Maria Pappas!
It is time for a taxpayer revolt. It is long over due.
I believe her comment was that there are 500 governmental units in Crook County. Ouch!