Surprise Tax Break
- Embattled Ald. Edward Burke got property tax breaks on his home and office building last year that the newly elected Cook County assessor says he can’t explain.
The breaks, which saved the 14th Ward alderman more than $1,500 on his property tax bills, came as Burke was under federal investigation for suspicion of using the considerable powers of his office and Finance Committee chairmanship to leverage business for Klafter and Burke, his property tax appeals firm.
The firm filed appeals in 2015 and 2016 on the assessments of his Southwest Side house and a building he owns that is home to both his ward service operation and the local Democratic organization he runs. In every case, the appeals were rejected “due to lack of data having been submitted.”
But in 2017, Burke’s firm did get his assessments trimmed. Then-Assessor Joseph Berrios reduced the estimated market value of his home by more than $50,000, or 6.5 percent on a home that was originally valued at about $781,000. That saved him about $1,088 on his 2018 tax bill, lowering it to $14,787.
We know a whole bunch of people who could use a 6.5 percent break on already exorbitant taxes, starting with us. And especially in light of BJ the Hutt's proposed tax increases, Prickwrinkle's tax increases, the mayoral candidates proposed tax increases....and how many years without a Contact now?
Labels: corruption
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
55 Comments:
They were the "Mike MadAgain" tax incentives.
Kinda sorta like JB getting his assessment reduced cuzz the shitters were removed. Those DemocRats!
You're making money hand over fist, but that isn't enough, and you get stupid about $1,500 in property tax breaks.
I've got little sympathy for that kind of greed and arrogance.
Now that's interesting. I was being charged more tax then others with the same size property after having a property adjuster out it turns out the SQ footages is less then what it was stated. I was told my taxes would be reduced and a refund issued for 3 years back after submitting everything.
Funny how I then receive a bill stating the taxes went up more then they were prior to having the property adjuster out. Screw cook screw Chicago its nothing but a money grab
$1000 reduction is a shiny object for you to chase.
look elsewhere for the real story.
The chicago machine is just like the mob. The mob has you whacked if you get out of line. The machine taxes you to death. Send us your tired, hungry, poor, so we can turn you into good little tax paying robots who will suffer a slow painful death.
And the stupid fools keep voting Democratic and wonder how and why these things happen. Predict he will retail his job until they send him to jail.
Arrogance plain and simple. How many times has he raised taxes on the peons of Chicago? The city cries broke and this top power broker passes tax hike after tax hike without conscience. The middle class is squeezed via taxes to a lower notch on the economic ladder to a working poor status. Burke is worth millions and a couple thousands dollars wouldn't affect him. Shame on you Mr Burke, your just a big jerk.
And leave his wife out it. She is an Honorable Illinois Supreme Court Judge living at the poverty level barely making ends meet. Between Ed Burke and his wife, they are just a paycheck away from poverty like so many of the city's 9 to 5 lunch bucket type struggling middle class Joes. The 1% Burke types need re-distribute not deny more of their wealth to the government which has given them so much and continues to give them much more.
Don't forget every fee they raise or impose is jut another tax hidden behind a different name. Plus the fact you are forced to live in the shit hole called Chicago so you have no choice.
What is the rest of the 14k in taxes actually going to— anything legitimate or just pure BS; I doubt it is going to the pension
Funny how the "Rich" come up with scams on how to save money that they can clearly afford but yet lets fuck the ones at the poverty or middle class level....Keep voting democratic!
He is about to be tax free for the next 10 years. Dumb ass. 8 months on his phone. Wow
$1500?
Jeez, his shoes cost more than that. Which office do I go to to get my secret tax break?
Give him a break. Criminal defense lawyers are expensive.
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
Mendoza only pays 1 percent on a home purchased for 471k in 2014. Funny how that works. Rest of us are paying 1.25 - 2 on homes we’ve lived in for years.
it's tax time. the trump tax cuts and SALT caps will be in full effect.
it will be interesting how the ruling class democrats spin this.
will the elite street pretty face news readers be on board with the slew of tax hikes on the way?
they have one party to blame and they have been in the minority for a long long time.
shame that sinclair was not able to buy trib media.
As info, there are three different agencies you can appeal to every year for different property tax issues. The cook county tax assessor, cook county board of review, and the Illinois property tax appeal board (PTAB). This is why you constantly see junk mail for property tax reductions.
"Anonymous said...
And the stupid fools keep voting Democratic and wonder how and why these things happen. Predict he will retail his job until they send him to jail.
2/09/2019 03:36:00 AM"
Most of these people voting are tax parasites, Welfare recipients and LINK Card scammers living large off the taxpayers in public housing
It sends a message that taxes are too high. Think about it. The Alderman get an alderman's salary, he is a partner is a big time law firm, his wife is a Supreme Court Justice and he has off the books revenues streams. And the alderman cannot afford his own property taxes with all that fat cash rolling in!
I feel sorry for those on fixed incomes, those on S.S.I. disability, residents without documentation, single mothers, those who cannot afford healthcare, those on LINK/SNAP assistance, those afforded Title VII protections, senior citizens, democrat voters and those persons struggling to pay the light utilities, those choosing to pay heat utility bills assistance through Heat Energy Assistance Programs, Obama phone deductibles, those who can no longer afford booze/cigarettes/lottery tickets and those just making it by with "affordable" cut-rate Comcast unlimited internet bills. Mr. Burke where is your compassion when so many people are suffering and you have the means to "sacrifice" to help your democrat base by paying your fair share. But this is the reality we live in.
Meanwhile, Preckwinkle is doing her damnedest to come up with new taxes to pay for more nonsense like this.
The sheep continue to place Burke signs on their lawns.
How is this even a story? I appeal my property taxes every year. Some years I get it reduced some I don't. Wow he saved a whole grand! I hope he doesn't spend it all in one place.
I don't know why but the 6.5 reminds me of 9.5
old friends scratch each other's back
This cheap money loving asshole deserves everything he gets and well deserved.all the money he made and didnt want to pay full taxes. I sure hope the 14th ward voters know this.
Hire a law firm.
Very common practice. The system is set up to fund these half ass tax firms for basically pulling up 3 comps of a building similar to your own.
They usually tax 1 year out 3 of the tax savings as payment.
When is the city breaking ground for the new casino? Enjoy your retro!
Speaking of contract is there still a sight with a retro calculator?
Ig wants him terminated but before don’t give this pos exempt pensions dip either last rank for this over promoted moron:
Accused of having his officers baby-sit his son, Chicago police commander said it was really a secret study
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-police-commander-babysit-20190208-story.html
Suprise? No.
2/09/2019 02:19:00 AM, you just outed yourself as a renter, at best.a Russian troll at worst, or is that second best. Here is why. In illinois, there IS NO refunds from errant property tax bills paid. Ever. For Anything. You can get an adjustment done for cause by disputing assessment, and you can also get a reduction of various kinds going forward(like construction ongoing for example) but there literally is no means by which the property tax authority can issue you a refund. That entity is a one way street homie, money IN and it dont ever go out back the way it came.
So the question becomes, then, why lie so blatantly?
Pssst, i overpaid for several years based on a clerical error so i speak from direct experience. I contested, they even AGREED i was correct on the substance during the hearing (something you didnt mention cuz yer lying yer ass off) but the rub was that there ARE NO REFUNDS from the property tax man, ever. It just doesnt work that way and actual tax PAYERS know it if they have had to contest their property tax assessment for any reason.
Try truth homie. It works better.
He paid $14000 homeowners. Story not worth the print. Ward office too, not a fan of Burke’s antics but the whole property tax thing is sad. Everyone in this county is getting raped. The property tax system is a total scam. What should be simple is convoluted on purpose. Smoke and mirrors like all these candidates running for Mayor and not one is attacking Preckwinkle’s Kim Fox for a complete dismantling of our justice system here, which we can tell you is, allowing repeat offenders out to terrorize our as they put it “77 communities.” No, just blame the police who now are expected to get bitten, kicked in the groin, broken bones, spit on etc.... with the asa’s office to refuse to prosecute. If safety was #1 priority they would be setting there eyes on the States Attorneys office. Oh but wait for it...... Training more training. Deescalate!!!!! Please be careful. Don’t fall prey to these wolfs. Camera on and be that girl or boy scout they want us to be.
newly constructed property in Cook County is taxed at 2.5%. It looks like Burke got more then one tax break from Berrios.
Much ado about nothing. Assessor Joseph Berrios was just doing his friend, 'a solid'.
Berrios likely figured that now, more than ever, Burke can use the extra $1,088, like for his Criminal Defense Attorney Fee. Or... to put into his Commissary Account of the Federal Prison he'll be moving to for the foreseeable future. :-)
“Embattled Ald. Edward Burke got property tax breaks on his home and office building last year that the newly elected Cook County assessor says he can’t explain.”
Can’t explain? Really? How long has the “newly elected Cook County assessor” lived in Chicago? There are probably elementary school kids who could “explain” it.
More likely - “WON’T” explain. After all, the obvious answer is that Aldercrook Burke got property tax breaks as part of a quid pro quo with the assessor and various other city and county officials. Oh, and totally illegal - just in case the new assessor can’t firgure that out themselves.
Snaggletooth louie also had lower than most real estate taxes. He played dumb. Maybe paid a fine. His daughter bought a house set aside for low income. Flipped it. Put a few $100k in her pockets. No story Maybe solis wire taps tapes are causing his high blood pressure.
If you want a break on your real estate taxes, you have to ask for one. A surprisingly high percentage of such requests are granted, especially where the home owner has done their home work and can show why they should get a break.
If you remember during the election for governor the only candidate talking about this unjust/archaic tax system was Kennedy.
The “I Dunno” all over again.
Berrios isn’t obligated to talk so why bother. It’s family and friends Corruption 101.
I still think the Fed is more interested in Trump Tower and these jagoff Democrats as vile and cooperative as they are going to be can’t be trusted.
Every reassessment cycle I sort through a hundred similar properties to find comparables to lower my property value for a scant 4-6%.
Which basically is crumbs at amount to $2-300 a year.
So far in 4 attempts I’m 2 for 4 and though they lower the value we, as in all property owners above $250k, continue to see property taxes rise for the benefit of a continual failing, overspending CPS and other entitlement disbursements, like the General budget and Park District obama lieberry funding yet to come.
Berrios was quick to blame his bloated staff, none of which were under him or his nepotistic command?
Good he lost re-election, a family successor would have held the position after an indictment because it looks like he’s in the Fed crosshairs too.
FOP Lodge 7 last month endorsed Ed Burke for reelection.
What kind of,and how many years of legal experience did the Mrs have before becoming a Supreme Court Justice? If this isnt surprising, nothing else should be either.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
If you want a break on your real estate taxes, you have to ask for one. A surprisingly high percentage of such requests are granted, especially where the home owner has done their home work and can show why they should get a break.
Not anymore All changed with the last reassessment which occurred after Berrios was voted out. Each year I did what you said and was successful. But this year things changed. My building reassessment and value went up 120%. Not a typo. I hired one of those property tax lawyers and got a reduction of 2% and am currently waiting to hear from the Board of Review. More than doubled.
FOP Lodge 7 last month endorsed Ed Burke for reelection.
Thats ok..No need to worry...Kevin Graham will be out soon enough as well! Hey Kev, I think Popeyes is hiring.
They endorsed him you got to be kidding. Wonder what material items or favors changed hands. The rank and file should have a no confidence vote against the FOP. Your fools.
Just a warning about your property taxes. If you think they are high now, and they are, wait until next election is over. You can expect a 50% increase in all the taxes and fees you are currently paying, in addition
to a new 4% city payroll tax and taxes on pensions. Live out of city but work in city rejoice they have a head tax for you as well.
Sad thing is he will get reelected. The Democratic voters just can't help themselves. Stupid is as stupid does.
Joe Berrios is caught up in the feds investigation too. Hes toast!
11:46:00 AM, Louis
Kinda like Hillary Clinon with cattle futures.
Bitch got the tip, did some rehab, then the oh-so-
trendy flip where morons otherwise umemployable
turn a buck in a rising housing market.
Lazy, ignorant, arrogant fucking bastards.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
FOP Lodge 7 last month endorsed Ed Burke for reelection.
Thats ok..No need to worry...Kevin Graham will be out soon enough as well! Hey Kev, I think Popeyes is hiring.
And did you hear their reasoning? Innocent before assumed guilty in the media. Really? Tsk tsk.
Burke is a $ multi-millionaire and he stills tries to stiff the tax payers for chump change. Hope this arsehole goes to prison. Probably not.
JujuEach year I did what you said and was successful. But this year things changed. My building reassessment and value went up 120%. Not a typo. I hired one of those property tax lawyers and got a reduction of 2% and am currently waiting to hear from the Board of Review. More than doubled.
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Chances are there in your assessment is fair. It's supposed to be based on what your property is actually worth. Since Trump took over property values have gone up in most areas by quite a bit. You also have to remember that the way property taxes work just because your assessment goes down does not mean the amount of taxes you pay will go down. All the taxing districts decide how much money they want and that amount gets divvied up amongst all the taxpayers based on their assessments.
It has to kill him to have to pay those high Criminal Defence fees.
Oh Assessor, Where art thou. Todays Tribune has a photo of the Alderman's home and recent articles listed it at being 5,600 sq. ft. The home is 3 stories with a roof deck and side bricked wall attachment. It is hard to believe that the assessors ruler was working correctly. May have had a better ruler by using the 5 ft. squares for the sidewalk in front of the house. But maybe they need to be measured as well.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Just a warning about your property taxes. If you think they are high now, and they are, wait until next election is over. You can expect a 50% increase in all the taxes and fees you are currently paying, in addition
to a new 4% city payroll tax and taxes on pensions. Live out of city but work in city rejoice they have a head tax for you as well.
2/09/2019 08:50:00 PM
City can’t institute a city income or payroll tax, even under home rule. The Illinois Constitutuon does not allow it
These constitutional revisions "drastically altered the balance of power between [Illinois] state and local governments, giving local governments greater autonomy."[8] Indeed, the Illinois Supreme Court has explained that these provisions were "drafted with the intent to give home rule units the broadest power possible under the constitution."[9] Nonetheless, the three most meaningful limitations on home rule units contained in the constitution are that home rule units may not license for revenue, impose income taxes, or impose occupation taxes without the explicit grant of authority from the General Assembly.
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Chances are there in your assessment is fair. It's supposed to be based on what your property is actually worth. Since Trump took over property values have gone up in most areas by quite a bit. You also have to remember that the way property taxes work just because your assessment goes down does not mean the amount of taxes you pay will go down. All the taxing districts decide how much money they want and that amount gets divvied up amongst all the taxpayers based on their assessments.
2/10/2019 09:22:00 AM
You are full of crap and have no idea if what you are talking about. How does a home that has had no changes go up 120% in one reassessment. Has any neighborhood gone up 120%? The asinine statement about if assessment goes down doesn’t mean your taxes will go down just proves if your assessment goes up your taxes will also go up. You sound like a fool.
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