Property Tax Reform Group

In October 2023, the Office of the President published "Property Taxes in Cook County: Introduction to Reform" written by the Cook County Property Tax (PTAX) Reform Group. 

The PTAX Reform Group is the first working group of its kind in Cook County. Built across key County offices, the PTAX Reform Group has taken an in-depth look at the way an antiquated and siloed system has affected taxpayers and the communities that need services to thrive.

The report discusses how the property tax system works, identifies challenges we face, and begins to look at key areas for reform. 

In December 2024, The PTAX Reform Group, in collaboration with Josh Myers Valuation Solutions, released a comprehensive study on commercial property valuation practices in Cook County. The study focused on the processes, practices and outcomes of commercial valuation by both the Cook County Assessor’s Office (CCAO) and the Cook County Board of Review (BOR) and includes a Sales Ratio Study to measure the current system to industry standards. This study highlights significant issues with current property tax assessment practices and offers actionable recommendations to improve equity, fairness and predictability in the Cook County property tax system. 

Cook County Commercial Valuation Study

In 2023, CMAP and the UIC Government Finance Research Center, on behalf of the Cook County Property Tax Reform Group and with support from the Cook County Office of the President, analyzed homestead exemptions to understand their impacts across the county. This work offers insights on how exemptions can affect taxpayers and taxing districts differently as well as options to mitigate some unwanted effects and enhance homeowners’ savings. To learn more, click here. To read the full report, click here.