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Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin introduced the following resolution at the County Board Meeting on April 6, 2005. The resolution, which aims to have the Cook County Assessor review the status of tax exempt real property on a more regular and consistent basis was referred to the Tax and Revenue Subcommittee of the County Board's Finance Committee.

RESOLUTION

Sponsored by

THE HONORABLE LARRY SUFFREDIN, COUNTY COMMISSIONER


WHEREAS, 88,000 parcels (excluding religious exemptions) of all Cook County real estate tax parcels have been declared tax exempt by Illinois Law;

WHEREAS, there is no uniform method for reviewing the basis for such tax exemption after it is initially granted;

WHEREAS, the Cook County Assessor annually reviews the owners' affidavit of exempt property which states the actual use of the land;

WHEREAS, there should be a more detailed review periodically to protect Cook County taxpayers from tax exemptions where they are no longer warranted by the manner in which the land is being used;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Assessor shall for all exempt property at least every 5 years review the basis for all exemptions granted to real estate property owners to determine if the basis for the exemption is still in existence;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Assessor shall require every 5 years any property owner claiming an exemption to file certified information that proves the continuing basis for an exemption exists;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the Assessor finds from the evidence presented by the property owner that the basis for the exemption no longer exists, the Assessor shall return the property to the tax rolls and the Assessor shall refer the evidence to the Illinois Department of Revenue and the States Attorney of Cook County for appropriate action.