Fight Lyons Township Tax Assessment Hikes: County Official

LA GRANGE, IL – Residents in Lyons Township should fight recent increases in tax assessments and appeal them to the Cook County Board of Review, an official said Thursday.

Board of Review member George Cardenas said he and his colleagues are aware of a recent ABC7 report about big increases in property tax assessments.

"As your Commissioner at the Cook County Board of Review, I am deeply concerned about the impact these increases may have on our residents and their ability to afford their homes," Cardenas, who represents District 1, said in a news release.

ABC7 found at least one Lyons Township resident saw a 643 percent increase in his assessment.

A Board of Review analysis found that more than 1,000 properties in Lyons Township saw their assessed land values double, Cardenas said. More than 100 property owners experienced hikes of at least 400 percent.

Overall in Lyons Township, assessed values rose 39 percent and residential values 32 percent, Cardenas said.

"We understand the anxiety and frustration that come with seeing your property taxes more than double, as has been the case for some residents," he said.

He said it was the board's responsibility to prevent any undue financial burden because of inaccurate property tax assessments.

A general increase in assessed values does not translate into public bodies getting more money. The county assessor's assessments determine each taxpayer's share of the tax burden.

Each government body sets a tax levy every year. Increases are limited by the rate of inflation up to 5 percent.