Rickey Hendon urges freeze on property taxes and new regulations to address unjustified hikes

Former Senate leader Hendon urges Freeze on Property taxes, and proposes reforms during a press conference held at the Cook County Building on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Watch video of press conference below

Rickey Hendon, former Illinois State Senator and former Chairman of the Westside Black Elected Officials, called on the Illinois Legislature on Thursday to freeze property taxes statewide following the release of a devastating report on property tax unfairness by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

Hendon held his press conference in the lobby of the Cook County Building in front of the offices of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas whom he credited with identifying the outrageous patterns of property tax hikes in a recent study she released on Cook County Property Taxes.

“We want to begin by thanking Treasurer Maria Pappas for putting out this report, which we needed, and that lets us know what’s going on and how these property taxes have just gone through the roof. As you know, in her report, property taxes, especially on the West Side and in Englewood, have just gone absolutely crazy. People can’t afford to pay these taxes,” Hendon said.

“We wanna point out that we need solutions. Solutions to this problem is what this is all about.”

Rickey Hendon Press Conference Nov. 20, 2025 urging freeze on Property Taxes

Released on Monday, the Pappas Report details how property taxes have increased significantly throughout Cook County, as much as 100 percent higher in African American communities, Hendon said.

The report shows that the burden of property taxes was shifted from Loop buildings and corporations to neighborhood homeowners.

Hendon called on his former colleagues in the Illinois Legislature to step in and assist property owners by taking immediate action to prevent this “unjust, unfair and oppressive tax hike” on homeowners.

“In Washington the Republicans are giving income Tax breaks to Billionaires while cutting Snap food benefits to the poor and middle class,” Hendon said.
“In Cook County the politicians are giving property tax cuts to Billionaires while raising taxes on the poor and middle class. The people are being crushed by our own governments.

“It’s a damn shame. Homeowners are about to lose their homes, renters will be forced to pay rents they can’t afford or be homeless. We are calling for serious lasting reforms and we need it today not any more empty promises. We can’t blame Donald Trump for this mess, this is a home-grown problem.”
Hendon said, “Cook County has the second highest tax rate in America and collects the second most money from property owners. We deserve a break! We will be asking our Governor and Legislature to take action.”

Hendon outlined the following steps he believes can help homeowners:
1. Freeze all property taxes in the neighborhoods
2. Roll back assessments to their previous rates
3. Slash the interest rate for those who fall behind by
at least 50%
4. Establish reasonable payment plans and extend
the time to pay the taxes

Other Reforms are needed that will attract businesses to Chicago and help property owners survive these tough times we are living in.

Hendon was accompanied by six homeowners who brought their recent property tax bills and who showed the dramatic increases and the harsh impact these increases will have on their families and lives.

Rickey Hendon has a long history in public service, including: serving as: Secretary Treasurer Cook County Forest Preserves; 27th Ward Democratic Committeeman; 27th Ward Alderman; State Senator 5th District; Assistant Majority Leader of the Illinois State Senate; former Chairman of The Senate Black Caucus; and former Chairman of the Westside Black Elected Officials.