The City of Chicago’s current real estate development approval process, while well-intentioned, can involve a dozen departments and results in a burdensome and costly undertaking. The complex system also favors those with more time and money to navigate the lengthy planning and entitlements process, including the legal work necessary to obtain approvals.

Cook County property taxes provide over $16B annually for the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the many school districts, special districts, and municipalities. The current tax system is complex and difficult to navigate. In 2023, Civic Consulting Alliance supported the creation of the Cook County Property Tax Reform Group (PTAX) to ensure that the property assessment and tax system produces predictable, accurate, fair, and equitable results in a timely and efficient manner.

The Bureau of Asset Management (the Bureau) comprises three departments responsible for constructing, developing, and maintaining Cook County’s approximately 200 unique properties, which total over 19 million square feet. The Bureau has also seen significant changes in its responsibilities, including a new Build Up Cook program and an expanding Capital Program.