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BYLINE: Chicago Sun-Times 1/23/02 The Cook County property tax appeals system is a mess, and someone should grab a mop and get cleaning. Sun-Times staff reporter Tim Novak has documented a string of highly questionable judgments by the Cook County Board of Review, the quasi-judicial panel that evaluates property taxes: Breaks given to powerful politicians without filing of the usual documentation; board workers secretly lowering their own tax bills (two were fired for this in November), and an appeals system that appears based on hiring the right high-powered lawyer and contributing to the right re-election fund. A few years ago, retired Sun-Times columnist Ray Coffey wrote about the problems homeowners face in getting a fair shake from the board. The most recent egregious case was described by Novak in Sunday's Sun-Times; A tiny sandwich stand, Al's Beef, was assessed at nearly 15 times the value of the larger Carson's restaurant across the street. Carson's went the clout rout and got a $12,453 valuation. Al's made the mistake of believing the system is square and ended up with a valuation of $181,000. How long do taxpayers have to tolerate this? Property tax is not voluntary ? people are compelled to pay it or lose their homes and businesses. It is not enough for the three commissioners who make up the board ? Democrats Joseph Berrios and Robert Shaw and Republican Maureen Murphy ? to issue a statement claiming they were not influenced by the outside considerations that are all too clear in this case. The process should be transparent and fair, and there should be sound reasons for the board acting a certain way. Ideally we would be able to toss out this triumvirate and start again, but this year the voters won't even be given that chance. Berrios and Murphy are running unopposed, and Shaw's opponent, Steve Burris, likely does not have much chance against the Shaw machine. The Cook County Board, which has oversight over the appeals board, has remained silent, in effect abdicating its responsibility. If it doesn't step in, the General Assembly, which a few years ago increased the review panel from two members elected at large to three members elected from districts to better represent suburban taxpayers, should take another shot at reforming the agency. This is not an abstract issue. We all pay higher taxes to cover the special breaks handed out to political pals. This matter has been festering for too long. It's time to drag it into the open and fix it. CFAT News Source news@fairtaxes.net Tax Board Ripoffs |
