Two-term incumbent faces party’s pick in Cook County assessor primary

Incumbent Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi is facing a primary challenge from current Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes Tuesday.

First elected in 2018, Kaegi has generally been seen as an outsider among Cook County Democrats. In this election, the county Democratic Party endorsed Hynes.

It’s the job of the assessor to determine the taxable value of the roughly 1.9 million parcels in Cook County.

Hynes has major backing from many Chicago-based Democrats, while Kaegi’s party allies are generally from the suburbs.

Hynes is touting endorsements from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Meanwhile, Kaegi’s endorsements include both of Illinois’ U.S. senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, as well as most of the Democratic congressional delegation.

Kaegi has attacked Hynes for taking campaign funds from lawyers handling property tax appeals along with others who work in the appeal process “with gusto.” He cites inspector general reports that call the practice a “crucial vulnerability” to the office.

“It diminishes the repute of the system,” he said at a recent appearance before the Daily Herald editorial board.

Hynes has attacked Kaegi for skyrocketing residential property assessments and property tax shifts that have hurt homeowners.

“What is happening right now is not working for anyone,” he said of the assessment process.

Kaegi blames rising residential property tax bills on the taxing bodies and the county’s board of review, which he says has given bigger breaks to commercial property owners than homeowners. He contends his office’s commercial assessments were getting knocked down 26% on average by the board of review. Those breaks shift the burden onto residential property owners.

Hynes also complained that some parcels aren’t being assessed or taxed at all under Kaegi’s watch. Kaegi countered that he’s still fixing issues left by the previous assessor more than eight years ago and dealing with hostile partners in other elected countywide offices.

“Is there more to do? Yes, we’ve acknowledged that,” Kaegi said.

The winner of Tuesday’s contest will likely run unopposed in November. No Republican filed to run for the office. It’s possible the county GOP could slate someone at a later date, though.