COLUMN: South Side Homeowner Urges Support for Property Tax Relief Referendum

Hattie Knazze, a 77-year-old South Shore resident, faces a staggering 115% property tax hike, risking the home she’s lived in for 25 years. She is here with former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).& Hattie Knazze, a lifelong South Side Chicago resident, was taken aback when she opened her latest property tax bill.& With a staggering increase of 115%, jumping from $2,262 to over $6,300—Hattie felt overwhelmed about how she would manage to keep her home.& At 77, she’s been living in her home for 25 years, and the thought of losing it is fearsome, primarily because she also serves as the guardian for her disabled nephew. Hattie’s situation is not unique; neighborhoods like South Shore are grappling with similar challenges as property taxes soar.& She expresses concern about the assessment process, noting that many property transactions in her area are cash deals, which can distort actual property values.& “How can they justify such increases? Who’s checking these numbers?” she asks, highlighting the frustration many feel about the lack of transparency in the assessment process. Illinois has one of the highest property tax rates in the nation, second only to New Jersey.& Many people call for change, and...