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News from the Assessor's Office |
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Watch ABC7’s I-Team unpack property taxes and explain how Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has made residential assessments more accurate. University of Chicago Professor Christopher Berry, a nationally recognized researcher who has exposed past issues with property assessments, commends Assessor Kaegi for his "substantial improvements over the last few years and correcting the issue of regressivity.”
But what did Assessor Kaegi do differently? Here are some key points:
- Brought in a Data Science team to create more accurate assessments than in the past.
- Reduced regressivity in assessments, which can cause black and brown communities to be unfairly assessed.
- Made data accessible to the public by publishing assessment information.
- Increased outreach efforts across the county to help homeowners understand their reassessment.
- Proposed legislation to help homeowners whose tax bills spike by 25% or more from one year to the next. Homeowners should contact their state representatives to support this.
Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are forms of housing usually known as coach houses or granny flats. In other major cities across the nation, property owners are allowed to build ADUs on their property, but Chicago has long made it difficult or illegal. They can help reduce housing shortages and offer affordable housing solutions. Recently, the City of Chicago proposed an ordinance to allow for the construction of ADUs.
Assessor Kaegi endorses the ordinance to allow for citywide construction of ADUs.
“This legislation encourages the construction of more affordable rental units, an urgent need as we fight the ongoing affordability crisis that threatens to drive many long-time residents out of their neighborhoods,” said Assessor Kaegi.
“It would also grow the city’s property tax base, which can help drive down the tax rate for everybody.”
The proposed legislation would expand an existing pilot program that the city initiated in 2021. Since then, around 400 new rental units have been built through this program.
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The Cook County Assessor’s Office won three 2025 Achievement Awards from the National Association for Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for home and business owners in Cook County. The CCAO won for the following initiatives:
1. Explaining the property tax system using plain language and inclusive communication strategies
The CCAO began a project to use more plain language when communicating with the public, particularly for non-English speakers. Over several years, the office redesigned many of its forms and mailings. It also translated them into English, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, and Simplified Chinese. Please take a look at our brochures offered in multiple languages.
2. Empowering homeowners through community engagement and trust
The CCAO’s six-member Residential Outreach team travels throughout Cook County to share information about assessments and the property tax system with homeowners. In 2024, they attended 217 events, a new record. View upcoming events in your neighborhood.
3. Building partnerships with the local business community and commercial industry
The CCAO launched a robust outreach campaign to reach commercial property owners and the local business community. The CCAO also began to publish extensive data on its website that explains the methodology used in commercial assessments.
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2025 Assessment & Appeal Calendar
 Properties located in the north suburbs of Cook County are undergoing reassessment this year. When a township "opens," property owners receive a Reassessment Notice in the mail that contains important information, including the new estimated market value of their property, or how much it could sell for today. A property owner has until the date listed under "last file date" to file an appeal if they choose to do so. You can watch virtual appeal seminars for each township in English and Spanish.
The following townships are being reassessed and are now open for appeal.
Properties in the City of Chicago and south & west suburbs are not scheduled to be reassessed this year, but property owners still have an opportunity to file an appeal once a year with the Assessor's Office.
The following townships are not scheduled for reassessment this year, but are now open for appeal.
| West Chicago Township |
Open until 8/20/2025 |
| Bremen Township |
Open until 8/21/2025 |
| Lemont Township |
Open until 9/2/2025 |
| Calumet Township |
Open until 9/11/2025 |
| Hyde Park Township |
Open until 9/16/2025 |
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 Last month we celebrated National Intern Day. This day recognizes the contributions of interns in the workplace. Here at the Assessor’s Office, we are proud to partner with local schools and organizations to provide internship opportunities based on the student's educational and career interests.
Our Communications intern, Julie, worked on creating videos for social media to celebrate the day. Meet some of our interns and hear from Assessor Kaegi on why internships are essential for the workforce.
If you or someone you know is interested in an internship or job opportunity at the Assessor's Office, please contact our Human Resources Department.
In the Community
Assessor Kaegi and team had a blast this weekend at the 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade handing out school supplies and sharing important information with homeowners. A staple of Chicago’s South Side, this parade marks the back to school season with dancing, music, and community. We spotted the Assessor's high school alma mater, Kenwood Academy marching and leading the way. Go Broncos!
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Download the 2023 Annual Report that features the reassessment of the South & West Suburbs of Cook County. Within this report, you’ll find an explanation of Cook County’s property tax system, the role of the Assessor’s Office, and information about assessment fairness, exemptions, and our outreach efforts.
Most importantly, this report contains extensive data on the South Triad reassessment including new assessed value by major property type, metrics for appeals and exemptions, and a comparison of the Assessor's assessments to real estate sales.
Stay tuned for the 2024 Annual Report highlighting the reassessment of the City of Chicago.
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