Pat Hynes, the Democratic nominee for Cook County Assessor, says the office's property tax rolls are built on outdated, error-filled data. He wants to fix that by hiring more field inspectors and overhauling how the office collects information.
Hynes faces Libertarian candidate Nico Tsatsoulis in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election. The assessor sets the assessed value of every property in Cook County, which directly determines what homeowners in Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth and Northfield pay in property taxes each year.
Candidate information
- Name: Pat Hynes
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Cook County Assessor
- Election date: Nov. 3
Hynes has described himself as a Beverly native, husband and "Girl Dad." He has stated he has more than 30 years of experience in the property tax field, according to his Facebook campaign page.
Experience and public service
- Lyons Township assessor: 2021 to present
- Senior residential field inspector, Cook County Assessor's Office: 2004 to 2021
- Firefighter, Western Springs Fire Department: 2012 to present
Hynes worked as a field inspector inside the office he now seeks to lead, according to his public candidate profile. He left that role in 2021 to serve as Lyons Township assessor.
On the issues
Property tax accuracy and staffing
Hynes has said Cook County's assessments are "built on outdated and error-filled data, leaving taxpayers with little confidence that their bills are fair," according to his campaign website. He has proposed expanding the team of field inspectors, strengthening training for current staff and reinstating what he called "a culture of professionalism." He has also called for investing in continuing education and professional certifications for frontline employees.
Reassessment frequency
Hynes opposed moving to an annual reassessment model, according to a Civic Federation forum. He cited volatility in assessments as the real issue rather than how often reassessments occur. He proposed better data collection and record keeping, along with property tax relief programs to lower the burden on taxpayers.
Economic development
Hynes has said he would establish a dedicated Department of Economic Development within the assessor's office, according to his campaign website. The department would bring together residents, small businesses and industry leaders to create partnerships aimed at local growth, he said.
Endorsements
Hynes lists the following endorsements, according to public candidate records:
- IUOE Local 150
- Citizen Action Illinois
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
- Chicago Federation of Labour
- American Arab Chamber of Commerce
- Cook County Democrats
Candidate information was drawn from BallotReady profile data, the candidate's campaign website and Facebook page, and a Civic Federation forum. North Shore Weekly has also published a profile of opponent Nico Tsatsoulis. Voters go to the polls Nov. 3.
