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Press Statements & Op-Eds
Statements, commentary, and coverage on property taxes, housing affordability, and Cook County governance.
Op-Eds & Commentary
Turning the Page for Taxpayers
Crain’s editorial (03/2026) regarding property taxes is to the point and its suggestions are much needed. Cook County, specifically Chicago, needs, albeit demands, responsible property tax policy. At the Cook County Board of Review, my fellow commissioners and I are focused on...
March 1, 2026
Budget Tricks Won't Fix a Broken Tax System
While families battle July’s heat and prep their kids for school, a deeper pressure is boiling beneath the surface: property taxes. City Hall’s latest flirtation with tax hikes, brought to light in Crain’s July 25 editorial, is more than just political posturing — it’s a red...
July 29, 2025
We Don't Need a Grocery Tax. We Need a Smarter City Hall.
Mayor Brandon Johnson at City Hall on June 11, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
July 1, 2025
Kaegi's Claims Miss the Real Causes of Homeowners' Tax Pain
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi's May 20 press release attacking the Cook County Board of Review (BOR) and referenced in a Crain’s report significantly misrepresents the BOR’s role in valuations and the property tax system. The press release asserts that the BOR shifts the...
May 27, 2025
Property Tax Burden Has Shifted to Homeowners, but Businesses Are Still in Distress
George Cardenas: Property tax burden has shifted to homeowners, but businesses are still in distress
May 9, 2025
City Council Must Protect Taxpayers from Mayor Johnson's Latest Borrowing Plan
George Cardenas: City Council must protect taxpayers from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s latest borrowing plan
February 18, 2025
When Reimagining Downtown Chicago, Don't Forget the Power of Taxes
George Cardenas: When reimagining downtown Chicago, don’t forget the power of taxes
January 27, 2025
Chicago Must Create a Relief Mechanism for Property Taxpayers
The Chicago skyline just before sunrise at Montrose Harbor on Dec. 12, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
January 9, 2025
Taxpayers Work Too. Let's Protect Them as Well.
As Chicago faces yet another year of fiscal uncertainty and piecemeal solutions, it's time to acknowledge a hard truth: we are staring down the barrel of a wide range of tax increases and public service cuts. This is not just about balancing numbers on a spreadsheet—it's about...
November 27, 2024
We Need to Be Honest With Taxpayers About What's Driving Their Property Taxes
George Cardenas: We need to be honest with taxpayers about what’s driving their property taxes so high
November 12, 2024
Op-Ed: How Property Tax Circuit Breakers Can Safeguard Housing Affordability
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue across the nation. As a Commissioner for the Cook County Board of Review, I am acutely aware of the financial burden property taxes impose on families. The recent findings by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)...
January 1, 2024
Circuit Breaker: A Way Forward (Revised)
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue across the nation. As a Commissioner for the Cook County Board of Review, I am acutely aware of the financial burden property taxes impose on families. Recent findings by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)...
January 1, 2024
Op-Ed: Circuit Breaker Legislation for Illinois
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue across the nation, and as a Commissioner for the Cook County Board of Review, I am acutely aware of the financial burdens property taxes can impose on families. The recent findings by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy...
January 1, 2024
Press Releases
Commissioner Cardenas Press Conference: CPS Financial Crisis
As we speak members of the Chicago Public Schools Board have turned in their resignations—they were forced out, plain and simple—to make way for rubber-stamp replacements who will do nothing more than carry out the wishes of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the leadership of the...
October 1, 2024
Commissioner Cardenas Urges West Chicago Township Residents to Appeal Property Assessments
Commissioner George Cardenas Urges West Chicago Township Residents to Appeal Property Assessments Amid Significant Increases
August 27, 2024
Press Statement: West Chicago Township Property Assessments
Contact: Office of Commissioner Cardenas Cook County Board of Review Phone: 773-523-8250, George.cardenas@cookcountyil.gov
August 1, 2024
Commissioner Cardenas on Illinois Equalization Factor Bringing Stability to Cook County
Commissioner Cardenas Congratulates the Illinois Department of Revenue on Equalization Factor Bringing Stability to Cook County Taxpayers
May 21, 2024
Statement on Recent Actions by Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi
In light of recent actions taken by Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi concerning the reassessment of mixed-use properties, I am calling for immediate and clear actions to address the impact on affected property owners.
March 1, 2024
In the News
Voters Just Sent a Message on Property Taxes. Now Comes the Hard Part.
Editorial: Voters just sent a message on property taxes. Now comes the hard part.
March 20, 2026
South and West Side Clergy Seek Relief from 'Sinful' Property Tax Spikes
Faith leaders gather outside Trump Tower and call on county officials to roll back tax assessments and request lawmakers in Springfield to enact caps on the amount property taxes can be raised year over year.
January 5, 2026
Brace for Impact: Tax Hikes Loom for South, West Side Homeowners
By A.D. Quig | aquig@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune and Alex Nitkin | Illinois Answers Project
September 21, 2025
Reassessments Are Done. Many Chicago Homeowners Will See Hefty Tax Increases This Fall.
Editorial: Reassessments are done. Many Chicago homeowners will see hefty tax increases this fall.
May 29, 2025
Homeowners Will Shoulder Bigger Share of Chicago Property Taxes This Year
Chicago homeowners will pick up more of the local property tax tab than commercial landlords in the city when bills come out later this year, even though recent numbers from Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi suggested the opposite would happen.
May 23, 2025
'Broken System' of Property Tax Appeals Put Extra $2 Billion on Cook County Homeowners
'Broken system' of property tax appeals put extra $2 billion on Cook County homeowners, treasurer says
May 5, 2025