Lynn Hilger may not have been given the opportunity to earn the title of taxpayer advocate, but she is still continuing her crusade to reduce property-tax assessments for Oak Forest homeowners.
Since October, Hilger has been conducting informational sessions on how to file property-tax appeals with the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals. Nearly 100 Oak Forest property owners have filed appeals with her assistance.
Hilger, who has no backgraound in accounting or law, gained her knowledge of tax law after joining neighbors in the Landings subdivision to fight assessments. Their assessments have been reduced, but they are now appealing to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board for further relief.
Hilger was a candidate for the job of Oak Forest’s first taxpayer advocate, but voters in November never got to choose between her and opponent Mary Varkalis. Their petitions were declared invalid by the Oak Forest election board, which rescheduled the taxpayer advocate election to April 1999.
That has not deterred Hilger, who continues with her taxpayer information sessions. She has divided the city of Oak Forest into sections. She most recently conducted tax appeal training sessions for Jessica Estates homeowners.
“It is really, really hands-on learning for them. When they can’t make the scheduled meetings, they come to my home. I had homeowners around my table during the Christmas holidays,” she said.
At Hilger’s suggestion, residents of Jessica Estates formed a homeowners association. Its representatives have been invited to present the tax appeals arguments for the community before the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals.