Cook County Board of Review District 2 Wins 4 NACo Achievement Awards

Cook County Board of Review District 2 Wins 4 NACo Achievement Awards

Cook County Board of Review District 2 was honored with four 2025 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards for outstanding county government programs and services. Commissioner Samantha Steele, who has represented District 2 since 2022, announced that her district received recognition for its Constituent Outreach Program, Professional Development and Education Program, Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) Defense Initiative, and its proprietary Standardized Technique for Adjudicating Residential Appeals (STARA) Program. Steele has championed the development and implementation of these award-winning programs during her three years as commissioner.

Constituent Outreach Program

District 2’s Outreach Program, initiated under Steele’s leadership, expanded the Board’s property tax appeal workshops and community events. The district also introduced one-on-one Analyst Days in the offices of local aldermen to strengthen partnerships and provide educational outreach to elected officials and their constituents. In 2024, District 2 held 17 property tax appeal workshops and 24 Analyst Days. The program offers individualized support and guidance, making the appeals process more accessible for people who are unfamiliar with the system or unsure how to get started. These events encourage taxpayers to bring their questions and receive one-on-one help from a Board of Review analyst when filing an appeal. Partnerships with aldermen, state representatives, and community organizations have also increased participation and made the property tax system more responsive.

Professional Development and Education Program

Steele’s Education Program requires all District 2 staff to pursue the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO) credential through the Illinois Property Assessment Institute (IPAI). To date, twenty team members have completed all six required fifteen-hour courses, ensuring professional expertise in both residential and commercial property assessment. Thirteen analysts are enrolled in CIAO courses for 2025. Fellow Commissioners George Cardenas of District 1 and Larry Rogers, Jr. of District 3 were recognized alongside Steele in earning this award for their districts’ professional development efforts and educational success.

STARA Program

The Standardized Technique for Adjudicating Residential Appeals, or STARA, developed and implemented under Steele’s direction, uses existing county software licenses and development tools to review two to three million comparable properties per session. This is three times the volume possible before STARA. By standardizing valuation methods, applying market-driven algorithms, and incorporating neighborhood sales ratio studies and appellant-submitted evidence,

STARA increased analysis notes by 40 to 50 percent without adding staff. With three times more data now available to analysts, the system ensures a faster and more accurate appeal review process for all taxpayers.

Property Tax Appeal Board Defense Initiative

Cook County experienced a 170 percent increase in appeals to the state Property Tax Appeal Board over the past decade, with more than 29,000 filings in 2024 alone. These appeals reduced property values by $162 million in 2024, weakening the county’s tax base. In response, District 2 redeployed existing staff to bring over 100 PTAB cases to hearing at no additional cost to taxpayers. Two high-value appeals, each seeking reductions above $1 million, were dismissed after appellants failed to comply with Illinois statutes and PTAB rules. These efforts helped preserve county revenue and keep tax rates more stable for everyone.

Since 1970, the National Association of Counties Achievement Awards program has honored one “Best of Category” winner in each of eighteen areas of county government. NACo is a nationally recognized advocacy organization and a member of the Big Seven coalition of nonpartisan, nonprofit associations representing state and local elected officials. The organization provides resources, networking, and policy support to help county leaders strengthen communities and improve public services.


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