BOMA/Chicago Advocates for Fairer Property Taxes
BOMA/Chicago has formally submitted public comments and recommendations to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) as part of the agency’s upcoming Property Tax System Study, required under Public Act 103 1002 and scheduled for release on July 1, 2026.
This study represents a significant opportunity to shape long-term improvements to the property tax system, including Cook County’s classification system, and we are ensuring that the voice of the commercial office industry is strongly represented.
Our recommendations reflect the concerns and experiences of our building members, and they emphasize the need for a fairer, more predictable, and more transparent system. We focused on four interconnected areas that directly affect commercial property owners and the broader economic health of Cook County:
- Managing levy growth and government spending, and reducing the system’s heavy reliance on property taxes to fund schools
- Reforming Cook County’s classification system to promote fairness and competitiveness
- Ensuring transparent, consistent, and data-driven assessment practices
- Strengthening the appeals process to ensure it remains a reliable safeguard for accurate valuations
BOMA/Chicago has a long history of working collaboratively with state and county officials on property tax issues, and we remain committed to that partnership as this study moves forward. While our recent comments focused on the challenges facing commercial buildings and the need for a fairer, more predictable system, they also reflect our broader goal: to advance constructive, practical solutions that support economic vitality, encourage investment, and create a more stable environment for all taxpayers.
This submission is part of BOMA/Chicago's ongoing advocacy to protect our members’ interests and advance a property tax system that is fair, predictable, and aligned with the realities of today’s commercial real estate market.