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John Harrell hosts taxpayer review workshops for residents, urges extension of appeals period and tax hike limits
8th Legislative District candidate Harrell calls for extension of property tax payment deadline, new laws to make it more difficult for homeowners to lose their properties because of property tax debts, and to limit how much property taxes can increase in any 10 year period or freeze property taxes until a home is actually sold.
Chicago, IL – Pastor John Harrell, the Democratic candidate seeking to succeed Illinois House of Representatives La Shawn Ford in the 8th District, will host the first of several property tax appeal workshops.
Founder of Black Men United and a community leader, Harrell also called on Cook County to extend the deadline to give property tax payers and homeowners more time to appeal “the unjustified dramatic increases in property taxes that have hit in homeowner.
The deadline to appeal property taxes ends on Monday Dec. 15, 2025. Harrell said the extension is justified because property tax bills were sent out to homeowners months late.
“We have a seen an obscene increase in property taxes that has severely burdened homeowners not just in the neighborhoods in the 8th Legislative District but throughout Cook County, and something needs to be done,” Harrell said.
“When I go to Springfield, I intend to make the issue of addressing the unfair burden of property taxes on homeowners a priority. Too many people are losing their homes because the property tax increases were far greater than the income they bring in to feed their families. Something needs to be done. I am starting by helping homeowners submit property tax appeals while also demanding that the appeal period be increased.”
Harrell said he has invited cook county officials familiar with the property tax and appeal process to the 8th District beginning on Saturday Dec. 13, with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, on Saturday Dec. 20, with Board of Appeals Commissioner Larry Rogers, and in January with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
“My focus isn’t on the politics. It is on the terrible burden that has been placed on homeowners. We have seen property taxes increase significantly in all communities and as much as 100 percent in the African American community,” Harrell said.
“We can’t allow this to happen again and we need to take action ot prevent these kinds of dramatic increases that force homeowners to sell their homes because the burden of the tax increases is so great. Property taxes are supposed to provide basic services to homeowners, not force them to live on the streets.”
Harrell has proposed four points he hopes to see changed in Illinois regarding property taxes in Cook County:
1 – Extend the Dec. 15 deadline to appeal property taxes
2 – make it more difficult for homeowners to lose their properties because of property tax debts
3 – limit how much property taxes can increase in any 10 year period or freeze property taxes until a home is actually sold
4 – require the county to ease appeal restrictions and make them more reasonable
Data shows that only 27 percent of homeowners appeal their property tax increase and only 30 percent of those appeals are actually adjusted, while more than 64 percent of businesses appeal their property taxes and approval is far higher.
Cook County Homeowners can appeal their property taxes either with the Office of the Assessor or with the Cook County Board of Review. The appeal deadline will end on Monday Dec. 15, 2025, making this issue urgent, Harrel argued.
The workshop with Kaegi will be held Saturday Dec. 13 at the Providence Baptist Church, 1116 S. 5th Avenue in Maywood beginning at 2:30 PM. Homeowners are asked to bring documentation to identify their properties, their most recent tax bills and identifications.
The workshop with Rogers will also be held at the PBC beginning at 1 PM Saturday, Dec. 20.
“We want to fight to give homeowners some relief and also fight to change the laws to limit property tax hikes, make it more difficult for homeowners to lose their homes because of property tax debts and liens, and ensure that property taxes accurately reflect the value of homes,” Harrell said.
“These are issues I intend to address when I am in Springfield representing the 8th Illinois House District.”
The workshop with Pappas will focus on property tax overpayments and assist in securing refunds. Pappas’ office has refunded more than $140 million to homeowners since 2018 and $544 million under a refund program she has promoted and brought to county neighborhoods in 2009.
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