The Capitol Fax Blog » Truth, please

Tuesday, Oct 3, 2006

The Cook County Assessor’s office seems to be having trouble with the truth about why Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s assessment rose by just 1 percent while his neighbors saw 40 percent increases.

From ABC7:

“It’s just another example of Rod Blagojevich being the luckiest man in Illinois,” said Jay Stewart, executive director, Better Government Assn.

Stewart doesn’t live far from the governor. He said he saw his property reassessed much higher than the average. While not directly calling the governor’s low reassessment special treatment, Stewart does call it curious.

The Cook County Assessor’s office said it’s misleading to judge by percentages. […]

According to Guerrero, the more telling statistic is that of the 103 comparably-sized homes in Rod Blagojevich’s neighborhood. The governor’s house has the second highest property tax assessment — in part because three years ago his home was over-assessed and went up 40-percent. Other homes in the neighborhood are now “catching up,” according to Guerrero. However, a Daily Herald analysis shows Blagojevich’s neighbors saw an average increase of about 43 percent in 2003.

That’s the key here. Everybody’s assessment in that neighborhood increased three years ago. And, as Jay Stewart asks in the piece…

“I’d like to know how many other people get this oops we over-assessed you the last time so, without being asked to, we’re going to give you a really nice low assessment this time. Again, I’m officially requesting the same treatment right now.”

Some truth would be nice. And as far as motivation is concerned, it wouldn’t be this, would it? Just wondering.

- posted by Rich Miller

28 Comments

- Charlie Murphy - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 9:19 am:
One thing Rod is great at is hooking himself (and his friends) up. He’s not even low key about it. Shameless.

- RealClear - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 9:22 am:
Most of the stories I’ve seen on this are a muddled muck of confusing percentages being thrown about. Intent seems to be more about trying to gin up a horse race than providing useful information.

Put aside what house had its rate increased by what percentage in what year.

All I want to know is what’s the total tax bill on Blago’s house (the dollar amount, not percentage increase) right now. And how does that tax bill compare to similar houses in the neighborhood.

It’s been hard to glean from the confusing reporting, but it sounds like Blago paid as much if not more than anyone else this year for comparable homes.

- Cassandra - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 9:28 am:
Given Houlihan’s corrupt Chicago Machine Democratic roots (we do corruption because we can) I wouldn’t even be too sure that Blago asked for the special treatment, directly or indirectly.

The Daley Machine that controls the Assessor’s office probably gives high level Dem officials
lower assessments as a matter of course. And since they are relatively certain Blago will win, they didn’t feel it necessary to skip Blago’s break this time around for fear of bad publicity.

And Blago hardly needs the money, given the size of his campaign/retirement fund. Again, it’s Machine Democrat arrogance here.

No wonder Blago isn’t all in a bother about property tax reform. He knows he’s protected.

- DSOWNSTATE - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 9:34 am:
Now we know where the 1500 went.To pay his house taxes.

- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 9:48 am:
DH story said rod paid lowest amount per square foot in neighborhood. assessor says he paid most in his category but his house is largest by far in category so it’s a phony argument. median increase in city is 41 percent. rod got 1 percent.

- Guy Fawkes - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 9:51 am:
Does this story really surprise anyone?
Maybe this is what Rod meant when he said he wasn’t going to raise TAXES!

- fedup dem - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 9:58 am:
Perhaps the Assessor was adding as a factor the likely decline in the value of said property once the feds get around to indicting the owaner of said property (AKA the Governor).

- Bill - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 10:18 am:
Topinka and her freinds in the media are really grasping at a thin straw on this one. They must be getting really desperate. The governor got his tax bill and paid it like everyone else in the neighborhood. He has absolutely nothing to do with thee assesment or collection process and has never appealed his assesment even though he pays more than most, if not all, of the other neighbors on his block.
Nothing you can do will help Judy at this point but go ahead and give it a try if it makes you feel better.
Sorry about last night but that is what happens when you play with the pros.

- steve schnorf - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 11:10 am:
Cassandra,

If you believe Daley controls Houlihan, I believe you know neither of them.

- Mike - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 11:24 am:
The Blago’s paid $9,789.40 for tax year 2005.

Dollar figures shouldn’t be used to make comparisons, as percentages will provide better apples to apples analysis because every house is different. If assessments rise, so do tax payments, regardless of the dollar amount (that’s why percentages are used, Cassandra).

I don’t know if Rod is getting a break or not. But I do know that he isn’t getting this Democrat’s vote.

- Mike - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 11:25 am:
Sorry, Cassandra, that was directed at RealClear.

- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 11:36 am:
Hmmm..Orlando Jones is on the PTAB. That’s not a common name. Is that the Stroger “godson” and Rezko buddy who has received millions of dollars in finders’ fees and “consulting contracts” since Blago came on board? Bet it is.

Now there’s an example of a godchild who made out much better than Annie Blagojevich. Bill, feel free to share that with your pals over at the campaign. Of course, you may also want to tell them theat he’s a bit nervous right now about what might happen on the 27th, but they would relate to that as well.

PS: You’re slipping a bit-you’re recycling yesterday’s talking point on Rod’s tax break. C’mon, you’re the pros-bring it on!

- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:09 pm:
AA, the Orlando Jones thing is a good guess, but it’s not what I was aiming for. Look lower. Actually, the person I’m referencing isn’t on the list, since it hasn’t been updated lately.

Still, one can’t help wonder how OJ was appointed to PTAB, where one might possibly be in a position to do a lot of good for former business partners of Syrian heritage who also have lots and lots and lots of property developments.

- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:09 pm:
hey Rod, how about property tax relief for the rest of your neighbors?

- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:18 pm:
Rich, looking at the first page of the PTAB, it lists the chairman and 4 members. However, if you click on About The Board and then Board Members, a different lists appears. What’s up?

- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:23 pm:
LE, because I needed to post a list that had one particular item on it. The current list is here.

- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:31 pm:
Hmmm, that pesty Executive director is gone. In the spirit of full disclosure, so is OJ. Well, just one less thing to explain. Maybe.

- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:37 pm:
I think you mean pesky

- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:40 pm:
My bad. Also forgot to ask if it’s another co-inky-dink that the new PTAB guy has the same name as a guy from Houlihan’s office..

- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:45 pm:
That’s quite possible, but let’s allow it to rest here for now, eh?

- Henry George's Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 1:49 pm:
The question is one of uniformity: is the assessed value about the same as similar homes in the same neighborhood? In the world of computer assisted mass appraisal, it’s highly likely that the home’s in line with similar homes in the same neighborhood. The Assessor’s Office has also been pretty good-at least in the past-in making sure that elected officials’ homes are assessed in line with their neighbors. Now the PTAB list is interesting in it’s own right for other reasons. Who is the Executive Director?

- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 2:48 pm:
Deal. I need a nap anyway.

AA

- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 3:00 pm:
Me too.

- Bill - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 3:08 pm:
AA,
If anyone should be worried about the 27 it is people on your side of the aisle who put the guy on the boards in the first place and then reaped the rewards. It is amazing how much bad gov’t resulted from those two short years in the mid nineties. We won’t have to deal with problems like that for a long time, will we?

- Bill - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 4:16 pm:
Rich,
Didn’t you like the previous post?

- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 5:00 pm:
Rich may still be napping. I woke up.

If you would read anything but the Blago talking point of the day, Bill, you would quickly learn that “Mr. 27th” apparently wasn’t crossing the line on either of these boards until after your hero took over. Don’t believe me, go to this site and get caught up.

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/

- Bill - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 6:09 pm:
AA
Just keep waiting for the mythical indictments and the damaging statements from Stuie, who of course was clean until Rod took over.The governor is an honest man who always tries to do what is right. There won’t be any indictments.
If Stuie tries to implicate the gov the feds can then add perjury to his list of charges.
We all know who Stu’s buddies were and they weren’t dems.
Keep up the personal attacks, slander and innuendo. With a candidate like yours I suppose it is your only hope.
It will be really funny watching you guys having to vote against the rate cap. Maybe you should spend some time working on that.
Gotta go now, it is time to work on tommorrow’s talking points.
We the people shall prevail.
Four more years!
Bring it on!

- RealClear - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 7:06 pm:
Ok, this is what I mean by the muddled and confusing reporting on this issue. Anyone can pull a percentage from some point in time to try and make a point. But it’s really not helpful. Again, how much did he pay this year, and how much did owners pay who live in similar houses. That’s the only way to try and show an issue even exists. The fact that Topinka’s shills aren’t doing that leads me to believe there’s nothing here.

Here’s the post from above I’m referring to that’s proving my point. I wonder if the author even understands what this means:

“DH story said rod paid lowest amount per square foot in neighborhood. assessor says he paid most in his category but his house is largest by far in category so itâ€™s a phony argument. median increase in city is 41 percent. rod got 1 percent.”

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