Hynes Campaign Launches Ads Criticizing Kaegi’s Assessment Record in Cook County Assessor Race (Cook County, IL) – The campaign for Cook County assessor candidate Pat Hynes on Tuesday released two digital advertisements targeting incumbent Assessor Fritz Kaegi, accusing his administration of inconsistent assessments and mismanagement that Hynes says have increased the tax burden on residents.
The ads, titled “Fritzed” and “Apartment Building,” are part of Hynes’ effort to draw contrasts with Kaegi as the race for the countywide office takes shape.
In “Fritzed,” Hynes highlights what his campaign describes as a disparity between the assessment of Kaegi’s own home and those of other Cook County property owners. The ad argues that while many homeowners have seen rising assessments, Kaegi’s home assessment has declined — a claim the campaign says raises concerns about fairness and predictability in the property tax system.
The second ad, “Apartment Building,” references a Chicago Tribune investigation reporting that Kaegi’s office underassessed hundreds of apartment buildings across the county, resulting in an estimated $444 million in unassessed property value in a single year. Hynes’ campaign argues such gaps shift the tax burden onto other taxpayers.
“Allison Schraub, Hynes’ campaign manager, said the ads reflect frustrations among residents about the assessor’s office,” saying in a statement that “under Kaegi’s watch, more than a billion in property value has gone unassessed,” forcing families and businesses to make up the difference. Schraub added that Kaegi has had years to address the issue and that the campaign believes new leadership is needed.
Kaegi’s campaign had not immediately responded to the claims at the time of the announcement.
Hynes, who has served as Lyons Township assessor since 2021, is positioning his experience as a central component of his campaign. He previously spent two decades working in the Cook County Assessor’s Office and has more than 30 years of experience in property assessment, according to his campaign. He is also a certified Illinois assessment officer and a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers.
Beyond his professional background, Hynes serves as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Western Springs Fire Department, his campaign noted.
The ads feature Hynes speaking directly to viewers, using the phrase “You’ve been Fritz’d” to frame his critique of the incumbent’s performance and to promote his candidacy as a reform-minded alternative.
The Cook County assessor’s race is expected to draw significant attention, as the office plays a central role in determining property values that shape tax bills for homeowners, renters and businesses across the county.
Hynes Campaign Launches Ads Criticizing Kaegi’s Assessment Record in Cook County Assessor Race
