Assessor’s Office Hosts “Empowering Latino Homeowners” Event
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Chicago – The Cook County Assessor’s Office hosted its second annual Hispanic Heritage Month event on Sept. 27, bringing together policy experts, elected officials, real estate professionals, and homeowners to discuss the theme of Empowering Latino Homeowners.
A recording of the event, which was hosted at Richard J. Daley College on Chicago’s Southwest Side, is available at https://www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/racial-equity-and-real-estate-conversations-empowering-latino-homeowners.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi delivered opening remarks.
“The part of the city we’re in today represents a tradition of immigration as being integral to our city’s identity, to our economy, to who we are,” he said. “And because it’s so integral as a part of Chicago, we need to make sure that people who live, work, and do business here are taken care of and are not displaced.
“While we must continue to confront the anti-migrant policies across the country, we also can’t lose sight of the local issues that affect us and our communities.”
Assessor Kaegi also emphasized that the benefits offered by the Assessor’s Office, including homestead exemptions, are available to homeowners regardless of their citizenship status.
The main panel discussion featured Dr. Teresa Córdova, Director of Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago; Jeylú B. Gutiérrez, Chicago’s 14th Ward Alderwoman; Edwin Ortiz Reyes, Director of Policy, Planning and Legislative Affairs, Chicago Department of Housing; and Assessor Kaegi.
It was moderated by Oswaldo Alvarez, Executive Director of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation. The conversation ranged from the importance of building generational wealth to what Latino homeowners can do to ensure they receive necessary property tax benefits and information.
After the panel discussion, attendees could participate in workshops about estate planning and assessment appeals. There was also a resource area with social service organizations offering assistance to homeowners and potential homebuyers.
Photos are available here.
A video recording of the event is available at https://www.youtube.com/live/kr2q116ZPhY?si=vo-jypgQGBBRs9G9
