North Cook News

State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) has introduced legislation he argues will more equitably distribute resources among the three members of the Cook County Board of Review.  

“Resources have not been equally allocated,” Morrison told the North Cook News. “On behalf of taxpayers we want to make sure that problem is adequately addressed.”

House Bill 354 would ensure that the two Democrats and one Republican now comprising the board all get their fair share of funds and staffing resources, completely doing away with the current system in which just two members have been allowed to absorb most of the benefits.

“The bill is completely straightforward in the way resources are allocated, and the needs of all the members are addressed and met,” Morrison added of the legislation that now sits in the House Rules Committee. “No good can come from keeping the status quo in place as it is. For instance, property taxes are one of the greatest concerns across the entire state, with more residents now interested in appealing evaluations, and we need to make sure we have enough analysts spread across all areas to be able to review these matters in a timely manner for the benefit of taxpayers.”

Representing the 54th District, Morrison held onto his seat by defeating Maggie Trevor of Rolling Meadows, a Democrat, by a slender 37 votes in November's general election. In a statement released after all the votes were tallied, he vowed “to work on reforms to address the migration of people out of Illinois, high property taxes and growing state and local debt.”

The 54th District includes portions of Arlington Heights, Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and South Barrington.