|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
On November 7, 2000, on ballots in north, south, west, and lakefront precincts across the city, an overwhelming 93% of votes cast said yes to the following public policy question: "Should taxpayers be allowed to represent themselves, or retain someone other than an attorney to represent them in a property tax appeal before the Cook County Boar of (Tax) Review?" Property owners throughout Chicago continue to receive huge real estate reassessment increases. This year's 200 triennial township reassessments have sparked an explosion of tax appeals but also a clear call from taxpayers (by a 9 to 1 margin) for changing the present tax appeal process. In the last legislative session, reflecting strong taxpayer and bipartisan support, the Illinois Senate voted in favor of this tax reform issue by an 80% margin. Debate on this issue centers on the fact that lawyers do not have a monopoly on real estate valuation and assessment equity expertise. A fast growing coalition of supporters ? taxpayers, businesses, affordable housing developers and community groups, the International Association of Assessing Officers, the Illinois CPA Society and the Illinois Paralegal Association ? will continue to support and lobby lawmakers in the next session. Whether taxpayers can represent themselves or hire someone other than an attorney in property tax appeal matters will be placed on Cook County suburban ballots at the April municipal elections next year. Organizers of this tax reform campaign will not rest until lawmakers pass legislation ensuring that all Cook County businesses and homeowners have an accessible, affordable, nonpolitical property tax appeal process. Check the CFAT petition page to download a suburban petition for this next drive. OTHER PROPERTY TAX REFORM ISSUES PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY ON NOVEMBER 7! Chicago lawmakers, Senator del Valle, Senator Hendon & Representative Delgado spearheaded another tax reform advisory referendum which appeared on November 7 stating: "Shall the Cook County Board exercise its authority under the Longtime Owner-Occupant Property Tax Relief Act to grant an exemption that will reduce property taxes for longtime homeowners faced with substantial assessment as a consequence of new development in the community?" Chicago voters in these wards voted 90% in favor of this tax reform measure. With the exorbitant increase in Chicago's real estate tax assessments and explosion of tax appeals at both the Assessor's Office and Board of Review, no wonder this important public policy question passed by a 9 to 1 margin. Taxpayers have seen property taxes increase 85% in the past 10 years. Political gridlock has kept property tax reform on the backburners for too long. Voters have sent a clear message to their state and county legislators that long overdue property tax reform should be the 2001 legislative tax reform priority. CFAT News Source news@fairtaxes.net 93% VOTE YES FOR AN OPEN PROPERTY TAX APPEALS PROCESS |
