There is a mismatch between David Orr’s views on reforms for Cook County’s property tax system and the accompanying photograph of protesting Pilsen residents. The tax increases many Pilsen residents experienced are likely the result of how Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s assessment model works in gentrifying communities. Orr does not address this.
Our home assessment increased 37% because our modest old home is in an area of Irving Park with a relatively high median home price. This price reflects vigorous sales of rehabbed and new construction homes. It pushed our small un-rehabbed home into the assessor’s “high” price category for Jefferson Township, where assessments start at $380,000. The assessments of many old housing stock homes have been inflated in this way.
