North Cook News

Illinois state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) is preparing to host two property tax appeal seminars that she hopes will go a long way in aiding residents of her 47th District in keeping rising levies under control.

Mazzochi, who was recently installed by Republican House leader Jim Durkin (Western Springs) to serve on a bipartisan Property Tax Task Force looking to bring about reforms, has long argued change is way overdue in the way she sees the state overburdening far too many of its residents.

“For decades, the legislature has had property tax task forces that went nowhere,” Mazzochi said in a press release. “We need solutions that will achieve meaningful property tax relief for suburban homeowners. Everything that generates a property tax requires scrutiny. We can start with school and local government funding and levies.”

The forums hosted by Mazzochi are scheduled for Aug. 27 and Aug. 29 in Elmhurst and Hinsdale, with both events beginning at 6 p.m. Mazzochi will be joined as co-host for both forums by York Township Assessor Deanna Wilkins and Downers Grove Township Assessor Greg Boltz.

Mazzochi said looking at the numbers and studying the tax rates is only half of the battle in finally getting the system back under control.

“We must also bring to an end the army of lawyers that feed off a system that directs incredible wealth and power to a politically connected few,” she said in the release. “I look forward to examining the root causes of record high property taxes in communities across the state and recommending how to make our system more fair, transparent, and accountable.”

Mazzochi is encouraging residents to submit their ideas for improvements or reforms to her office.

“I am hosting these seminars in Elmhurst and Hinsdale because Illinoisans face the highest property taxes in the region, and suburbanites are hit especially hard with punishing taxes,” she said. “Illinois’ property tax structure continues to make it difficult for more families to plan for their futures in their homes and can have punishing effects on seniors. These seminars will give homeowners the tools they need to lower their property taxes when they feel they are being overcharged.”

The bipartisan Task Force is required to submit a report to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the General Assembly within three months, with a final report due by the end of the year.