Cook County's process to return delinquent properties to the tax rolls is largely failing to do so and suggests a bottom-to-top overhaul of the system may be in order, WBEZ/91.5 FM reports, citing a study by the University of Chicago's Center on Municipal Finance.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has called for reform to the system. Her office issued its own analysis of the scavenger sale in December, with many findings similar to the U of C report. Pappas said she hopes that the growing evidence will prompt hearings in Springfield. She also hopes it will prompt new legislation to reimagine how local governments can make decisions about tax delinquent and vacant real estate in their jurisdictions.

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