Chicago: A sharp rise in property taxes in Cook County, Illinois, USA, is placing thousands of homeowners under financial distress. Particularly, Chicago’s West Side and South Side have seen unusually high tax increases. According to a report released by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’s office on November 17, 2025, the median property tax on homes increased by 133 percent in West Garfield Park, 99 percent in North Lawndale, and 82 percent in Englewood. These figures pertain to the 2024 tax year bills received in 2025. The annual tax increase for an average homeowner in West Garfield Park was approximately $2,000, and about $1,900 in North Lawndale. Across the entire city of Chicago, the median home tax bill rose by 16.7 percent, marking the largest percentage increase in the past thirty years.
A decline in the valuation of commercial buildings in Downtown Chicago coupled with rising home prices in certain neighborhoods has caused a significant portion of the tax burden to shift onto ordinary homeowners. Officials say that reduced tax revenue from commercial properties has resulted in greater liabilities being placed on residents in other parts of the city. Low-income families have been disproportionately affected by this shift. Due to the tax hikes, some homeowners are unable to pay their bills in full.
Another official study published in March 2026 found that the tax collection rate in West Garfield Park had decreased by 4.1 percentage points. Meanwhile, latest annual data released in August 2026 showed that Cook County’s total property tax liability increased again by $743.8 million, surpassing $19.9 billion. This represents a 3.9 percent increase compared to the previous year. Continuous property tax increases are raising concerns about challenges to maintaining home ownership and the financial security of low-income families. Homeowners have the opportunity to review their tax bills, ensure they are receiving all applicable exemptions, and legally appeal if there are errors in property valuations.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
