Democrat Chris Kennedy Withdrew Property Tax Appeal After Scrutiny Of Assessment System

KENILWORTH, IL — Describing the system of property tax assessments and appeal as "rigged," "extortion" and a "racket", Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy has proposed reducing property taxes and replacing lost revenue with a progressive income tax.

He has also called for banning elected officials from working as property tax lawyers and preventing local assessors from taking campaign donations from property tax lawyers or letting their former staff members work as paid lobbyists.

But according to Politico, Kennedy was himself appealing his property tax, seeking a 20 percent reduction of taxes on his Kenilworth mansion. Kennedy's campaign said it was the second time he has appealed for lower property taxes on the property but not intentional. (Sign up for the latest breaking news alerts and daily newsletters from Wilmette, or your local community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Politico reported Kennedy retracted the appeal request in a letter dated May 19, just a day after a Chicago Sun-Times investigation found that one of Kennedy's opponents in the race for Democratic nomination, J.B. Pritzker, had saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in property taxes by declaring one of his Gold Coast mansions uninhabitable after buying it for $3.7 million.

Kennedy retained the law firm of former Cook County Assessor Thomas Tully to appeal his personal taxes, the same firm that represented Kennedy and his partners when they successfully saved more than a $1.5 million in property taxes by appealing the assessment of a commercial property near the Merchandise Mart, according to a joint investigation between Crain’s Chicago Business and the Better Government Association.

Tully & Associates has donated at least $60,000 to members of the property tax appeal board, according to Politico.

The Kennedy campaign issued the following statement to Politico with regard to his Kenilworth appeal:

In the 18 years he’s owned his home, Chris has only appealed his property taxes once. His initial appeal on the assessment was granted, which was still an increase over the previously assessed value. As a matter of routine, a further appeal was subsequently made by counsel to [Property Tax Appeal Board]...This was not Chris's intention and once he learned of it, he directed that it be withdrawn. As Chris has said since he announced his candidacy, the property tax system is broken and needs reform. He is the only candidate who has outlined common sense reforms to restore integrity back to the system.

» Video: Chris Kennedy describes the property tax system as broken and outlines some suggestions for reforms.

Top photo: Chris Kennedy's Kenilworth property | Cook County Assessor