Darryl Lloyd, who purchased his three-bedroom, one-bathroom house in 2006 for $115,000, estimates its current market value to be just over $180,000. The house, located on Gardner Avenue, measures 960 square feet and lacks a second floor or basement.

The Unexpected Tax Bill

Lloyd's shock came just days ago when he received a tax bill showing a property valuation of more than $1 million. The previous year, his tax bill was a little over $1,800, but this year it skyrocketed to over $30,000—a staggering 3,811 percent increase.

"I was literally devastated when I saw that increase," Lloyd said. "Nothing over here is worth … $1 million."

Personal Impact

Currently receiving disability benefits after an injury, Lloyd, a diesel mechanic and safety inspector, is at a loss. "I will have to move in with a relative or something. You know, I can't afford it," he said. The erroneous tax bill has added significant stress to Lloyd’s life, already complicated by his health issues.

Cook County Treasurer’s Office Acknowledges Error

The Cook County Treasurer's Office has acknowledged the issue, stating that Lloyd is not alone. An analysis revealed that the Assessor’s Office miscalculated land values for more than 4,400 homes in the south and southwest suburbs. These errors, discovered too late to correct before tax bills were printed and mailed, led to severe over assessments for homes on larger plots of land.

Attempts to Resolve the Issue

Lloyd’s attempts to resolve the issue with the Cook County Tax Assessor's Office were initially met with frustration and bureaucratic hurdles. "I said, let me go downtown city hall, to the assessor's office. And, at that point, I showed them my taxes, and I told them that I had a substantial increase, and they were like, everybody's taxes increase," he recalled.

After getting nowhere with the initial attempts, Lloyd contacted FOX 32, who managed to reach the Assessor's Office. The office confirmed that Lloyd's astronomical tax increase was indeed a mistake.

Official Response

"This property was given an incorrect assessment due to a permit that was unintentionally applied to the property. We will process a corrected tax bill for this property in the coming weeks, ensuring that the homeowner will ultimately pay the right amount in property taxes," a representative from the office stated. The Cook County Assessor's Office has assured that they are working to rectify the mistake and provide Lloyd with a corrected tax bill.

Broader Implications and Concerns

The error affecting Lloyd is part of a broader issue impacting over 4,400 homes in the region. Many homeowners have received inflated tax bills due to miscalculations by the Assessor’s Office. These errors have caused widespread concern and financial strain among residents, highlighting the need for accurate property assessments and timely corrections.

Waiting for Resolution

Lloyd now waits for the certificate of error that the Assessor's Office is mailing out, though no exact timeline was given. He remains concerned for others who might be in the same situation. "If it happened to me, it probably happened to other people. I'd like to see immediate action," Lloyd said.

How to Appeal

If you feel your property taxes are incorrect, you can appeal by visiting the Cook County Assessor's Office's [online appeals page](https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/online-appeals). The appeals process allows homeowners to challenge their property assessments and seek corrections to avoid paying inflated tax bills. Homeowners are encouraged to gather all relevant documentation, including previous tax bills and property valuations, to support their appeals.

Impact on the Community

The situation has sparked a broader conversation about the efficiency and accuracy of the property assessment process in Cook County. Community leaders and residents are calling for increased transparency and accountability from the Assessor’s Office to prevent such errors in the future. The issue underscores the importance of proper training and oversight in the assessment process to ensure fair and accurate property taxation.

Next Steps for Affected Homeowners

Affected homeowners are advised to:

1. Review their tax bills carefully to identify any discrepancies.

2. Contact the Cook County Assessor’s Office directly if they notice significant increases or errors in their assessments.

3. File an appeal through the Assessor’s Office’s online portal if they believe their property has been overvalued.

4. Stay informed about any updates or announcements from the Assessor’s Office regarding corrections and re-assessments.

Conclusion

The erroneous tax assessments have caused significant distress and financial uncertainty for many homeowners in Cook County. As the Assessor’s Office works to rectify these mistakes, affected individuals like Darryl Lloyd hope for a swift resolution that will restore fairness and accuracy to their property tax bills. The incident highlights the critical need for robust systems and procedures to prevent such errors and ensure the integrity of the property assessment process.