Elected Chicago Public School Board Members Endorse Pat Hynes for Cook County Assessor

CHICAGO, IL — Three elected members of the Chicago Board of Education announced today their endorsement of Pat Hynes for Cook County Assessor, citing the severe financial consequences caused by delayed property tax bills and mismanagement in the Assessor’s office.

Hynes emphasized the cost of the 135-day delay in issuing tax bills: “This is not a bureaucratic inconvenience—it is a systemic failure harming teachers, firefighters, libraries, parks and every local government that depends on predictable revenue. Cook County deserves competence and fairness.”

Hynes was joined by elected Chicago Public School board members Jenni Custer, Carlos Rivas, and Ellen Rosenfeld, who detailed the impact on Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund.

CPS Financial Impact

• CPS has taken out $1.6 billion in Tax Anticipation Notes because revenue tied to the education levy arrived late.

• The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund is owed $246 million from the delayed pension levy.

• CPS is paying $175,000 per day in interest on borrowed funds and $44,000 per day in additional pension-related interest — nearly $220,000 per day total.
  

• As of December 15, costs could reach $32.3 million, money that would otherwise support classrooms.

“These delays affect every classroom in our city,” said Jenni Custer. “Timely, accurate assessments are essential to the functioning of public education. Pat Hynes understands that responsibility.”

“The scale of waste is staggering,” said Carlos Rivas. “This is why leadership matters. Pat Hynes has the integrity and urgency to correct the course.”

“For seven years, working families have paid the price for mismanagement,” added Ellen Rosenfeld. “Pat Hynes has a real plan to restore stability, accuracy and transparency. Families and small businesses cannot afford more chaos.”

Hynes closed with, “I am committed to delivering the accuracy and fairness taxpayers deserve so we can rebuild public trust and restore a government that works for the people.”

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