Pilsen Neighbors leadership started organizing with our community after the increase in the Pilsen property taxes, which has affected multiple Pilsen home and business property owners, leaving many of them with the fear of losing their long-time homes and business, by not being able to make the payments of this new increase in their property taxes.
Seeing this issue affecting our community, Pilsen Neighbors started a campaign against this tax increase, and find a solution for the benefit of our community.
The first step after the increase was to organize a Public Meeting organized by Pilsen Neighbors Community Council and its partners, where members of the Cook County Tax Assessor’s office were present and heard from our community their demands.
Public Meeting with Cook County Tax Assessor’s office
Courtesy of Univisión
Public Meeting with Cook County Tax Assessor’s office
Courtesy of Telemundo
The repercussion of this actions in the media were immediate. Different broadcasting channels and radio stations started to inform about this issue.
Our community leader Teresa Fraga was interviewed by WBEZ about this issue. You can listen to the interview HERE.
After having no response for the Cook County Tax Assessor’s Office, on January 12th Pilsen residents protested outside their downtown offices and demanded a solution for this issue. Below you will find media coverage for this action.
Pilsen resident’s protest outside Cook County Tax Assessor’s office
Courtesy of ABC7 Chicago
Pilsen resident’s protest outside Cook County Tax Assessor’s office
Courtesy of Telemundo
The outcome of this protest was that Fritz Kaegi’s office is currently in contact with Pilsen leadership to schedule a date for a Public Meeting (TBA) IN pilsen with Pilsen property owners to fix this issue that has affected our community.
The second demand made by the Pilsen community was also an important one: Set a moratorium period to avoid any late fee charges, and most importantly, avoid those properties who have not paid their taxes to go on the scavenger list.
For new updates about this campaign, keep an eye on our website and Facebook Page.