A Resolution to the Cook County Tax Assessor Lawsuit

Two years ago, Chicago Lawyers' Committee filed a lawsuit on behalf of community organizations to challenge the Cook County Assessor's office, then directed by Joseph Berrios, for conducting assessments that systematically and illegally discriminated against people of color and low-income taxpayers. 

After we filed our complaint, a new Assessor was elected to office promising to deliver reforms that would address these inequities. While there is room for improvement, we believe Fritz Kaegi is following through. Significant reforms have improved the accuracy and uniformity of the assessment model, and have made the system more transparent.

On November 6, we entered an agreement resolving the lawsuit. The order recognizes these reforms and the shared commitment to goals of fairness and equity, and comes with a commitment by Mr. Kaegi for regular meetings with each of the plaintiff organizations to hear their concerns and explore ways to work together in the future to address housing affordability and stability in their communities.

We are grateful to our member firms Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, and Miner, Barnhill & Galland for their partnership, and our outstanding community plaintiffs at Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, and South Suburban Housing Center.

Although it will take some time for the system to correct for its historic disparities, we believe Cook County is on the path to a more fair and equitable property tax assessment system.