CFAT's major priority is an
Illinois Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).

TAX REFORM ISSUES

Con-Con in 2008

Background:

Article XIV of the 1970 Illinois Constitution provide, that the question of calling a constitutional convention (Con-Con) be placed before the voters every 20 years, unless the General Assembly calls for a vote on the question in the interim.

The last time the question was placed on the ballot was in November 1988. That means the next referendum is due in November 2008 asking voters whether to convene a constitutional convention.

What is a Con-Con?

A Constitutional Convention is one of three means our state constitution provides for proposing amendments to that document. Once the decision is made to call a Con-Con, voters elect the 118 convention delegates, with two from each of the 59 senatorial districts. Here's what happens next, according to the Constitution:

The Convention shall prepare such revision of or amendments to the Constitution as it deems necessary. Any proposed revision or amendments approved by a majority of the delegates elected shall be submitted to the electors (voters). Any proposed revision or amendments shall become effective, as the Convention provides, if approved by a majority of those voting on the question.

In short, voters are empowered throughout the process and have a check and balance against radical change by deciding three matters:

1. Whether to convene a convention in the first place
2. Whom to elect as delegates if a convention is called
3. Whether to approve of amendments proposed by the convention

Those who predict possible catastrophe if Con-Con is called don't trust the voters. They don't trust the voters to elect good convention delegates, and, in the unlikely event that Con-Con puts a crazy proposal on the ballot, they don't trust the voters to reject it.

About CFAT

For more than a decade, Citizens for Fair Assessments & Taxes (CFAT) has successfully advocated for important reforms to Cook County's tax assessment system. It's a big task. Cook County's 1.6 million parcels of real estate create the second largest tax assessment system in the nation! And in the past twenty years Cook County property taxes have increased 237%.

Help us pursue an open and fair property tax system by joining CFAT's fight for pro-consumer legislation, which would allow taxpayers to represent themselves, or to retain someone other than an attorney to represent them, before their local county tax review board.

CFAT is an organization run by volunteers. No political parties or candidates for office fund or direct the organization, or influence the contents of this website.

CFAT'S Property Tax Reform Action Plan

1. Adopt a uniform assessment level in Cook County, taxing all properties at 33% of their assessed valuation. The elimination of classification would dramatically reduce the state multiplier, which more than doubles initial assessments.
2. Reform the property tax appeal system. Place limits on Cook County's triennial reassessment increases to curtail the ever-growing number of tax appeals. Revise the state property tax code to state specifically that any person may file an appeal without hiring legal representation.
3. Safeguard the property tax system from politics by cutting off the flow of campaign contributions from lawyers and tax consultants. Alternatively, the elected Cook County assessor and commissioners of the Board of Review could be appointed to their positions.
4. Address statewide inequities of the tax system by adopting a graduated income tax in line with 45 other states. We seem to lack the leadership necessary for critical reforms of both Cook County's and Illinois' tax systems. In the last two state legislative sessions, lawmakers have failed to pass a constitutional amendment requiring the state to take greater responsibility for financing education. If the next two legislative sessions continue in political gridlock, the next constitutional convention in 2008 could be the last chance for meaningful reform for another 20 years!

Powerful special interests are lined up to defeat CFAT's tax reform legislation, which allows greater open access to your local property tax appeals process. We need to count not only on property owners but also citizens interested in fair and open government for support!

What You Can Do?

Citizens for Fair Assessments and Taxes (CFAT) has joined a growing coalition of neighborhood and civic groups, including Taxpayer Action, Tax Reform Action Coalition (TRAC), Lake View Citizen's Council (LVCC), North Center Lincoln Square, Network 21, and numerous others to advocate for Illinois property tax reform as our number one priority.

There are numerous property tax reform issues. Significant tax reform has not immerged from the Illinois legislature in more than 20 years. Taxpayers are fed-up with the political gridlock and have blocked a binding referendum to cap property taxes.

Join our Push for Binding & Advisory Referenda

Our citizens petition drive calls for the following:

1. Property Tax Assessment Limits

"Shall the Assessor adopt a 7% assessment cap per year which would not exceed a 21% triennial reassessment increase for all properties in Cook County?"

2. Taxpayer Advocate

"Shall a Taxpayer Advocate be created in Cook County to protect taxpayers and consumers?"

How many signatures are required?

You may circulate the binding petition in Cook County in order to add to our 250,000 signature requirement limit.

Important Note: We have two petitions which can be downloaded. One petition is an advisory that addresses the issue of filing property tax appeals without having to hire an attorney.

Be sure you have the binding Cook County wide petition! These public policy questions - to cap property tax assessments and create a Taxpayer's Advocate Office - will appear on the next election ballots countywide if we meet our goal! Link on to our website's petition page to download the binding referendum petition.

Become a Con-Con Delegate

If you are interested in becoming a Con-Con delegate, please provide a biographical background on yourself, including career information, volunteer and party affiliations, interests, contact information and your Illinois' Senatorial District. Include in your narrative at least three reasons why you'd like to serve as a delegate or elaborate on issues that you'd like a Constitutional Convention to address. Submit your entry by using CFAT's delegate submission page. Please limit submission to less than 300 words. If needed or desired, and in its sole discretion, CFAT may be able to publish your interest in whole or in part, including distribution through the media or on the internet.

Volunteer

Volunteer to help with CFAT's efforts to promote other property tax reform.

Get informed

Use CFAT's website to learn about tax issues that affect Cook County renters and property owners.

Contribute

Send us a contribution no matter how small! These contributions are not tax deductible.

Quick links:

Can non lawyers represent taxpayers in property assessment appeals?

Read the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board article in support of tax-reform legislation

Recent News

DEL VALLE: APPOINT COOK COUNTY TAX BOARD

CFAT WEBSITE RECEIVES AN AVERAGE I30 VISITORS PER DAY

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES INVESTIGATION EXPOSES CRONYISM IN BOARO OF TAX REVIEW

REASSESSMENT STATS CONTINUED

ILLINOIS: COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR ACCEPTS POSTMARK DATE FOR FILING TAX APPEALS BY MAIL

93% VOTE YES FOR AN OPEN PROPERTY TAX APPEAL PROCESS

LEARN HOW TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES AT COMMUNITY TAX TALKS!

TAX REFORM PUBLIC MEETING on MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2002, DRIVE TO CAP PROPERTY TAXES GETS A BOOST

FIXING THE SYSTEM

COOK COUNTY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY PASSES PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION ORDINANCE

NO NEED TO HIRE LAWYER TO FILE PROPERTY TAX APPEAL!