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Chicago Property Taxes Surge, Hitting Black Communities Hard

11/17/2025

31 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas reports property tax bills have risen sharply in Chicago, driven by reassessments that disproportionately affect Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
In West Garfield Park, tax bills rose 133%, and in North Lawndale they rose 99%.
The reassessment shift disproportionately burdens economically disadvantaged communities.
The overall tax levy increased.
Experts criticize the trend as poor public policy.

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Story summary

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas reports property tax bills have risen sharply in Chicago, driven by reassessments that disproportionately affect Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
In West Garfield Park, tax bills rose 133%, and in North Lawndale they rose 99%.
The reassessment shift disproportionately burdens economically disadvantaged communities.
The overall tax levy increased.
Experts criticize the trend as poor public policy.