Kaegi Fights for Political Survival as Democrats Back Hynes

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi faces the political fight of his career against Democratic Party-backed challenger Patrick Hynes, as voter anger over property tax bills threatens to end his tenure after two controversial terms.

The Cook County Democratic Party threw its full weight behind Hynes, the current Lyons Township Assessor and nephew of former Cook County Assessor Tom Hynes. The party endorsement signals significant discontent within Democratic ranks over Kaegi’s handling of property assessments since taking office in 2018.

Kaegi won his first term by defeating longtime incumbent Joe Berrios in a campaign focused on reforming what critics called a corrupt and inequitable assessment system. His victory represented a rare successful challenge to the county’s Democratic establishment.

But six years later, that same establishment is working to remove him. Property owners across Cook County have bombarded local officials with complaints about assessment increases, particularly in neighborhoods that saw dramatic jumps in home values during the pandemic housing boom.

“The phones haven’t stopped ringing with angry taxpayers wondering why their bills went up 20, 30, sometimes 40 percent,” said a spokesperson for one suburban township. “People want accountability.”

Hynes brings significant name recognition to the race. His uncle Tom Hynes served as Cook County Assessor from 1986 to 2010 and remains a powerful figure in local Democratic politics. The family connection gives Patrick Hynes instant credibility with party regulars who never warmed to Kaegi’s reform agenda.

The challenger also benefits from his current role as Lyons Township Assessor, where he oversees property assessments in parts of Cook County’s western suburbs. That experience allows him to argue he understands both the technical aspects of assessment work and the political pressures that come with the job.

Kaegi’s supporters argue he inherited a broken system that unfairly benefited wealthy property owners at the expense of working families. They point to studies showing his reforms reduced assessment disparities between expensive and modest homes.

The assessor’s office determines property values for tax purposes across Cook County’s 130 municipalities. Those assessments directly impact tax bills for homeowners, apartment buildings, office towers and industrial facilities. Small changes in assessment methodology can shift millions of dollars in tax burden between different types of properties.

Under Illinois law, the assessor sets property values but cannot control tax rates. Those rates are set by hundreds of separate taxing bodies, including school districts, park districts, municipalities and the county itself. However, voters often blame the assessor when their overall tax bills increase.

Property tax politics have dominated recent Cook County budget discussions, as commissioners grapple with balancing county services against taxpayer concerns about rising bills.

The Democratic Party endorsement gives Hynes access to the county organization’s extensive voter outreach operation. That infrastructure proved decisive in previous assessor races, particularly in Chicago’s neighborhoods where party loyalty runs deep.

Kaegi will need to rebuild the coalition of reform advocates and anti-establishment voters that powered his 2018 victory. But sustained criticism over property tax increases has eroded his support among moderate Democrats who initially backed his reform message.

Several suburban mayors have privately expressed frustration with Kaegi’s office, according to sources familiar with the discussions. They report fielding constant complaints from constituents about assessment increases that appeared disconnected from actual market conditions.

The race reflects broader tensions within Cook County’s Democratic Party between progressive reformers and traditional organization politicians. Kaegi aligned himself with the reform wing, while Hynes represents the establishment approach that dominated county politics for decades.

Voting patterns in the March primary will likely split along geographic lines. Kaegi should perform well in Chicago’s lakefront wards and inner-ring suburbs where good-government voters concentrate. Hynes has advantages in Chicago’s Southwest Side neighborhoods and outer suburbs where party organization remains strong.

Turnout will prove crucial in determining the outcome. Assessor races typically generate lower voter interest than contests for mayor or county board president. That dynamic often benefits candidates with superior ground operations, giving Hynes an edge through party support.

The winner will oversee property assessments during a period of significant uncertainty in commercial real estate markets. Downtown office buildings face declining values as remote work reduces demand for office space. Retail properties continue adjusting to changes in shopping patterns that accelerated during the pandemic.

Residential property values remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, but the pace of increases has slowed substantially. The next assessor will need to balance maintaining assessment accuracy with avoiding the political backlash that has defined recent years.

Both candidates are expected to participate in forums sponsored by civic organizations and neighborhood groups in the coming months. Property tax policy typically generates intense interest among homeowners and business groups who closely follow assessment practices.

The primary election is scheduled for March, with early voting beginning in February. The winner will face minimal Republican opposition in November, making the Democratic primary effectively decisive in determining Cook County’s next assessor.

Filing deadlines and campaign finance reports in the coming weeks will provide clearer pictures of each candidate’s organizational strength and fundraising capacity as this consequential race takes shape.