[remote or in-person] Workforce, Housing & Community Development Committee
Cook County Board of Commissioners
Housing
Labor
Politics
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024
10:45 a.m. — 12:45 p.m. CDT
118 North Clark Street Chicago, IL (Directions)
Cook County Building Board Room
County Commissioners are elected officials who oversee county activities and work to ensure that citizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and county operations run smoothly. The Cook County Board of Commissioners is the governing board and legislative body of the county. It is comprised of 17 Commissioners, each serving a four-year term and is elected from single member districts. Each district represents approximately 300,000 residents. The Board also operates approximately 40 committees and subcommittees chaired by members of Board of Commissioners.
Remote meetings of the Cook County Board of Commissioners are live-streamed at https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedings
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Morley Musick
Alders hold a quarterly analysis of the Bureau of Human Resources’ hiring timeline showing the amount of time it takes to fill vacant positions.
Morley Musick
@MorleyMusick
Morning all, this is Morley reporting to you live for @CHIdocumenters from the beautiful Cook County Board Room. Today it's the "Workforce, Housing & Community Development Committee." Agenda here: chicago.documenters.org/documents/agen…
chicago.documenters.org/documents/agen…
10:47 AM Sep 18, 2024 CDT
Two main agenda items. First: "a quarterly analysis of the Bureau of Human Resources’ hiring timeline showing the amount of time it takes to fill vacant positions."
Second (IMPORTANT): "RESOLUTION CALLING FOR HEARING ON THE CREATION OF A PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FUND."
Looks like we're a bit behind schedule. A Transportation Committee hearing is ongoing.
There's an Trib op-ed arguing in favor of the proposed property tax relief fund today, written by Bridget Gainer, Cook County commissioner of the 10th District and founder and board chair of the Cook County Land Bank Authority.
Gainer says: "An analysis of tax bills by the treasurer for tax year 2023, billed this year, showed a median jump of nearly 20%, the largest increase in 29 years"
"In an area of study including the Logan Square, Irving Park and Avondale neighborhoods, 37% of senior homeowners paid more than 20% or more of their gross annual income for property taxes."
Gainer argues creating a property tax relief fund from the projected $100m in fees for taxes filed past deadline. Every year, Cook County collects interest payments on late property taxes.
Gainer argues: "reinvesting 10% or 20% of these collections to stabilize the very tax base we rely on would usher residents through a time of financial hardship."
A few public speakers are set to speak now about the proposed property tax relief fund.
Anthony Travis introduces himself as the Tax Doctor: We have to get schools and pension systems off the property tax system. We have 300b in pension liabilities. None of this makes goddamn sense (he gets chastised for swearing.)
If Wisconsin can have one state pension system, we should be doing the same thing. If the Assessor has an error in your system, then you shouldn't have to pay that instead of going to county to claw it back.
If assessor send s out a bill in error, then make them fix it before you pay.
Actually no. Moving to approve HR report on hiring timeline. Approved. Motion to receive and file proposed resolution for /hearing/ on creation of tax relief fund. Approved.
Witnesses are going to give their perspective on the property tax relief fund. Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Appeals is speaking at the moment and saying that Springfield moves to slow to provide immediate needed relief to increases in property taxes, particularly
in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. Tax increases disproportionately affect seniors. Some households have seen a 30% increase in tax increases.
We often hear that households should spend no more than 25-30% on households. We believe that property taxes should account for no more than 5% of income, but we hear of some homeowners paying 4x that rate.
Tonya Trice, ED of south shore chamber of commerce and south shore community development corporation. "Recent years escalating property taxes have posed a significant challenge. The situation threatens ability to maintain stable homes and achieve American dream of homeownership."
"High property taxes contribute to erosion of communities like south shore. The result is the hollowing out of middle income communities like south shore."
"It's unfair that homeowners shoulder the burden of tax increases while commercial real estate owners exploit loopholes on vacancy tax rates. Absentee landlords and out of state investors are fraudulently receiving this tax rate."
"These landlords often refuse to engage with local orgs. As you all consider tax reform, I implore you to prioritize local homeowners and not commercial real estate landlords."
Ivy Ellis, ED of Northwest Home Equity Insurance Program. She's here to discuss seniors. How can we leverage innovative financial tools to support aging population. "While many in this demographic have paid off their homes, tax increases pose a substantial burden."
NWest Home Equity Insurance Program runs a delinquent tax program. We must support seniors aging in place with security and dignity.
Mary Gonzalez next to speak. A Pilsen resident, member of We the People campaign. "I moved to Pilsen in 1958 and lived there. In 1958 you could easily buy a home for 7, 8k." Talking about how homes in Pilsen are more than 100 years old. It was a port of entry neighborhood.
It was an eastern european, than a mexican neighborhood. In '68, the neighborhood fought against slum clearance in Pilsen. We fought it and we won. But gentrification happened year after year.
"We are losing the fight against gentrification. Here's the problem - a little old lady in the 70s for 10k now has to contend with his. Her property values have increased by 200%. Her taxes are too high."
"What do we do about this? I have solutions but it's gonna take courage. She's citing the Tax Doctor now. She says Illinois has too many units of government. Why do we have 9,000 units of government?"
She wants to consolidate units of government. "You should give property tax stability and assistance to people who have paid taxes for over 20 years."
"You should simplify the tax system. No one understands it. You should give tax breaks to homeowners who offer affordable rents. Last of all, get the schools off the property tax system."
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner of the First District speaking now: "As a commissioner I have seen firsthand the devastating effect of property tax increases on constituents."
"The creation of a property tax relief fund will help keep families in their homes." "Pilsen is an example of what will happen to many communities that travel down this treacherous road." He's in favor of a circuit-breaker proposal in addition to property tax relief proposal
Diane Limas now speaking, volunteer for Communities United. I own a 2-4 flat in Albany Park, and lived there for 30 years. What attracted me to neighborhood was diversity, one of most diverse in the nation.
In 2013, the 2 flat was sold for 213k, deconverted and made into a mansion, sold for 700k. We saw our property taxes increases.
It is extremely hard for a senior like me on a fixed income to maintain my building. 13% of seniors pay more than 20% of our income on property taxes. In 2020 I paid 5k, in 2021, I paid 10k. Double what I paid year before.
Studies have shown that property taxes account for 16% of housing costs on avg. Cost of maintaining my building doubled. Speculators are targeting seniors living in 2-4 flat buildings. I get 3-4 offers from speculators on my building.
I don't want to get kicked out of my neighborhood. I don't want to stop fishing in the river. I don't want to stop going to church of my choice. I don't want to stop going to Garcia's every Friday for a margarita. I don't want to leave.
If my property tax continues to go up and my income stays the same I'll have to leave.
Aisha Butler CEO from R.A.G.E. (Resident Association of Greater Englewood) - "I am a homeowner in Englewood. I bought my home for 125k. I've seen my taxes go up. When I first purchased 27% of us were homeowners. Now we're down to 23%."
"Chicago is a working class neighborhood. We know that gentrification is coming for us. We look at Philly, at NYC, it's coming for us. People who bought vacant land and turned it into gardens are gonna be kicked out."
Juana Ramirez (in spanish) - I have 8 kids. I was able to purchase a home in suburbs. I lost one of the homes I purchased because my husband got sick."
"I'm scared of filing bankruptcy again. I have to choose btw eating and paying taxes. Pls do anything you can to stop taxes going up. My kids help me but they can't support me entirely. Whatever you can do to lower taxes, please lower them."
Michael Rohrbeck, ED of Voice of the People in Uptown. "We mostly work with low income people. Newsflash, property taxes are a huge issue. Our org has helped create a few 1000 units. We fought displacement, and fought for development without displacement."
Tara Baker (SP?) a HUD certified housing counsellor from South Suburbs: Various south suburbs with some of the highest tax rates in the state. Many of the low income homeowners I work with are facing unaffordable increases and they face losing their homes.
"If you don't have money to pay your taxes, something else is gonna go. I'm talking with people who face losing their homes and becoming homeless."
Malik Bater speaking now, a resident of Pilsen. I've built many businesses, made big movies, ran record store businesses. He's railing against Fritz Kaegi. "I've got a lot of properties. I got a letter from Fritz saying you have to raise rents.
"I'm renting out a 3BR unit for $800 in a place I could sell for $2k per month. Fritz is doing it wrong. How can you asses me like a millionaire just because they live next to me? My assessed values went from 50k to 100k."
"I keep going to appeals and I come back and get nothing. The assessor is a bad guy. Not the guy building a big beautiful $4m house. Kaegi is forcing me to kick out people."
This is turning into a roast of County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, more than a demand for the property tax relief fund. Jody Schulman now speaking, identifying discrepancies between values of surrounding properties and what her property was assessed at.
I feel my condo is worth much less than other condos in my building. Kaegi is assessing me at more than my house is worth. I am diabetic, I have problems with my eye. I need help.
Roberto Casas, I'm here on behalf of my mother who is disabled. I got a letter saying that her property taxes are going up 138%. This isn't payment shock. This is payment devastation. The rent roll for second floor: $495. Second tenant, Vietnam war vet. His rent is $595.
Carlos is third tenant. His tenant is $500. It breaks my heart that I'll have to displace these people because the cook county assessor via fiat changed the classification of my home.
Now George Blakemore up: The classic Dog and Pony show remark. I'm laughing at ya! You deserve the government you get. You voted him in! You got democrats. You deserve the govt you get. How arrogant you are.
Blakemore complaining about people going over 3 mins. You put the democrats in power and now you getting what you deserve. You are all the problem, not the solution.
Commissioner John Daley: Contrary to last speaker (Blakemore) I am not happy when people lose their homes. I commend the individual trying to keep rents affordable. We can resolve this crisis. Daley is wondering where we can make cuts to county. Interesting.
Commissioner 1st District Tara Stamps speaking: "I'm from Cabrini green so I know gentrification. I'm new to this and so I cry when people come into office and people say they are getting displaced. If we don't solve this housing crisis, then all the other places we spend money
is for naught. If you don't get housing right, all the other money you spend on healthcare, services, is money down the drain. We thought this was only happening to people in the projects. This is everyone now though."
County Commissioner Kevin Morrison to speak next: "I recognize that our appeals process is not perfect. But you can get free assistance in appealing assessor." Morrison speaking in spanish to say you can get free spanish assistance for appealing assessments.
Commissioner Anthony Quezada speaking, signalling progressive credentials. Applauds ald. progressive council for their work on housing. We need to make sure we're preventing loss of naturally affordable housing. We can't reduce everything to a single silver bullet solution
I want to make sure that we have an orchestra of diff solutions, maintaining naturally affordable housing, maintaining a fair appeals process, maintaining predictable tax increases.
An interesting question: "He's questioning the use of late fees to fund the property tax relief system. Is that the best, most equitable way to fund this?" He's calling for an analysis of the income levels of late tax payers.
Bridget Gainer replies: This is specifically a /short-term/ solution for tax increase. There are two time-frames here - we need a legislative solution. This is an urgent crisis that needs a fix this year and next year. People can't wait a year and a half for long term reform.
Quezada has more questions. Gainer cuts it short - "You'll get all the details you need. We need to hear from every commissioner."
Commissioner Bridget Degnen: "Our tax system is antiquated. If we want to tax people on income, then the way we are taxing property is not that. We need to find a better way."
Commissioner Donna Miller, talking about 700k population of south suburbs. We haven't seen such high rates in 20 years. Taxes up 19.9% and more in s. suburbs. Hardest hit prop. owners are from some of the most cash-strapped communities in the county. Some contending with up to
122% tax rate increase. Donna Miller gives a shoutout to the Tax Doctor. These meetings are packed with individuals.
Commissioner Maggie Trevor: This isn't a new problem. I grew up in the community I represent, in Palatine. I remember during the inflation of the 70s and 80s, a relative owned a farm. I know this is a problem that's been going on for decades.
Trevor is talking about property taxes being tied to original value - a solution that California locked in. "This ended up starving local govts." She points to California having graduated income tax, that that is much better.
Commissioner Bill Lowry speaking: "We've had two town halls and the clear, if not singular message is that property taxes are too high. We also need to know from the assessor what % of appeals to property taxes goes through."
Commissioner Monica Gordon: My own family is placing blame on me for higher taxes. Yes we need tax reform, but we also need to fund schools. We need economic opportunity in south land, logistics and manufacturing. We don't have anything to offset tax base of economic decline.
Commissioner Briton speaking now: Effective property tax rate in Winnetka is substantially lower than parts of south side. They shouldn't be getting such a good deal.
Gainer closes it off. Thanks everyone for coming. It's a deeply dysfunctional system and disproportionate impact on low income communities.
Agency Information
Cook County Board of Commissioners
County Commissioners are elected officials who oversee county activities and work to ensure that citizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and county operations run smoothly. The Cook County Board of Commissioners is the governing board and legislative body of the county. It is comprised of 17 Commissioners, each serving a four-year term and is elected from single member districts. Each district represents approximately 300,000 residents. The Board also operates approximately 40 committees and subcommittees chaired by members of Board of Commissioners.
Remote meetings of the Cook County Board of Commissioners are live-streamed at https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedings
Learn more or share your own tips about the Cook County Board of Commissioners on the Documenters message board here.