Chicago faith leaders condemned what they see as racially targeted property tax hikes on Black homeowners at the People’s Church of the Harvest. The event Monday, dubbed “The People’s Hearing,” gave residents a platform to hold Cook County officials accountable as the second installment of the 2024 property tax bill was due on Dec. 15.
Michael Eaddy, pastor of the People’s Church of the Harvest Church of God in Christ, welcomed attendees and said the church was honored to host the Leaders Network’s community gathering. He emphasized that the purpose of the meeting was to give residents space to directly share their concerns with leaders.
“I want you to know you’re very welcome and I also want to salute the leadership of the Leaders Network for having this vision and taking the initiative to convene the community,” Eaddy said.
Tosheika Thomas, executive director and a founding member of The Legacy Family, spoke about her deep roots in West Garfield Park and the organization’s mission to improve quality of life through safety, stability and community-driven resources. She emphasized preventing displacement while investing in long-term hope and opportunity for residents.
“I knew it was coming, but when I opened my bill, I was angry. I was emotional. I was crying, I was raging. My bill was $1,967. I had already paid extra twice in monthly payments to my mortgage company. But the people who cannot afford to pay extra are the ones I am concerned about. They are the ones I am scared for and worried about,” Thomas said.
Thomas expressed deep concern for seniors and long-time residents in West Garfield Park who are struggling with mortgage increases, exemptions and errors in their property certificates. She emphasized that many cannot absorb these costs and risk losing homes they’ve invested decades of effort into.
Priscilla Chapman, a 70-year-old homeowner, spoke at the community meeting about rising property taxes and the strain they place on longtime residents. She shared concerns about receiving calls from potential buyers and the possibility of being forced out of her neighborhood.
“I am a senior citizen. I am semi-retired, but with this, I’m gonna have to go back and work,” Chapman said.
Efforts are being made to push the community out and this is a legacy that is deeply cared for, Chapman argued, emphasizing the importance of spreading the word so people show up.
Renne Hutchins, a lifelong resident of North Lawndale, explained that her grandfather bought the house in 1952 and that multiple life milestones, including births and deaths, took place there.
Approaching 70, she emphasized her hope that the home will be inherited and preserved by her siblings, children and grandchildren.
“My children say, ‘Ma, we’re not going to worry about these taxes.’ I tell them not to worry, because once I’m gone, I have a trust set up for my children to have these buildings and they’re going to keep them. If I have to go back to work part-time to help pay these taxes, they’ll get paid,” Hutchins said.
Howard Ray, an advocate for Black reparations and community activism, spoke about efforts to reduce property taxes for Black residents and his work collecting signatures for a referendum in Chicago. He emphasized what he sees as the unfair targeting of the Black community and called for continued accountability from elected officials and organizations.
“This is unfair. This is arbitrary. This is directed at the Black community. For those who have been paid, why give them money to undermine our community? Why keep giving them money so they can bring us down?” Ray said.
Ray discussed the impact of the Target store boycotts when they rolled back their DEI policies and questioned whether the same collective energy could be applied to challenge Cook County’s property tax policies.
“Do we carry that same energy to boycott Cook County taxing until they get it right? Or do we take it to federal court? Here’s the thing, we already know this is racist. How can we have the benefit of downtown when downtown is depleted? Now they’re trying to take our money, but when downtown was thriving, we didn’t get any of that benefit
Shirley Anderson expressed frustration over unfair property taxes targeting her community, despite her efforts advocating for two years. She highlights the burden on her family and the broader impact on her life.
“I walk to college every day and go to work at UIC. This is my house,” Anderson said.
District Commissioner Tara Stamps emphasized how residents can access property tax exemptions and freezes and provided staff contacts and phone numbers to assist immediately. Stamps also highlighted the severity of the property tax crisis and the need for urgent action, reassuring residents that while solutions aren’t guaranteed, her office will make every effort to help.
“’We, as a people, deserve better. You deserve, at a minimum, honesty, transparency, and the truth. What I teach my sons is this: don’t lie, because when you lie, you take away people’s ability to make their own choices. Nobody has the right to take someone’s choice away,” Stamps said.
A lot of the problem with fixing residents’ tax bills stems from how politics interferes with answering questions, according to Illinois State Sen. Lakesia Collins who also spoke.
As a renter, she emphasized that renters should also be included, since what affects homeowners impacts them as well.
“These stories are nothing new. I am working on legislation right now and I want to address these corporations coming into our communities and buying residential properties to tax us out of our communities,” Collins said.
