Cook County property tax increases hit Black and Latino suburbs the hardest, according to a report being released by the treasurer’s office today. In west suburban Bellwood, the total amount of property taxes billed to homeowners went up 28.5% between 2019 and 2020. In south suburban Ford Heights, the commercial property tax tab went up 42%. In fact, six of the 10 communities with the largest total residential tax increases were in majority Black or Latino areas, according to the treasurer’s office. For commercial property taxes, seven of the 10 communities with the highest increases were majority Black or Latino.

Residential streets in the village of Bellwood on Aug. 16, 2021. Bellwood is one of the municipalities facing the highest median property tax increases in Cook County this year. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Also hit hard by property tax increases were businesses across Cook County, according to the report. As the second installment of county tax bills hits mailboxes later this month, the increases could mean further challenges for companies already reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for suburban homeowners and communities that have long struggled to attract business, suburban officials and business leaders said.

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