Cook County property tax charges increased 4% this year, with homeowners shouldering most (86.5%) of that increase, according to an analysis by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' office.

Why it matters: This is at least the 30th consecutive year county residents have seen an overall increase in property taxes, and homeowners in the south suburbs are getting hit hardest.

The big picture: The county will collect more than $18.3 billion in property taxes this year.

• Bills for more than 1.3 million homeowners rose, while for 251,600 they dropped.

How it works: The Cook County Assessor reviews property values every three years, rotating among the city and the north suburbs and south suburbs, the latter divided by North Avenue.

• Bills are calculated based on assessed property value, levies set by taxing bodies like schools, tax increment finance districts, and other factors.

In the south suburbs, where properties were reassessed last year, homeowners face a nearly 20% median property tax increase, the largest jump for any reassessed area in Cook County in at least the last 29 years, according to the report. The median residential tax bill is now $6,117.

In the city, which the county is now reassessing for next year's bills, overall taxes rose $226.8 million — with a 2.6% increase on residential properties and a 2.9% increase on commercial properties, the report says.

In the northern suburbs, taxes rose by a total of $213.7 million — with a 3.2% increase on residences and a 5.2% increase on commercial properties, per the report.

What they're saying: Pappas reminds folks that bills will arrive in the mail next week, but you can already see them online with a breakdown of which taxing bodies are asking for the most money.

• "With our new feature," she tells Axios, "you can see exactly where your tax bill is going and who upped it."

What's next: The tax bills arriving next week must be paid by Aug. 1.

Keep reading

Uber wants to pay you $1,000 to ditch your car for a month.

Why it matters: Americans are grappling with high car expenses including vehicle prices, rising car insurance and surging car repair costs.

• The average monthly cost of vehicle ownership in the U.S. is more than $1,000, according to AAA.

Driving the news: Uber is launching its One Less Car trial today in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver. It will give drivers $1,000 to rely on alternative transportation for one month.

How it works: Applicants must be 18 or older, have a vehicle they use more than three times a week and document their typical driving patterns over five weeks. Thirty drivers will be selected in Chicago.

Uber says the $1,000 payment will be broken into parts:

• $500 in Uber Cash redeemable on Uber Rides and Lime e-bikes and e-scooters, booked in the Uber app.
• $200 voucher for car rental or carshare.
• $300 across other transportation modes, such as public transit.
• It'll also come with a free one-month Uber One membership.

What's next: Those selected will participate in One Less Car from July 22 to Aug. 25.

Share this story

🧑‍⚖️ The Supreme Court ruled the anti-corruption law used in several high-profile cases was too broad, paving the way for public officials to push back on their pending cases. They include former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. (Tribune)

Alleged Highland Park shooter Robert Crimo III surprised the court yesterday by rejecting a deal that would have changed his not guilty plea to guilty. A trial is set for February 2025. (Axios)

👩‍🚒 Chicago firefighters plan to protest at the NASCAR street race and the Democratic National Convention on behalf of Chicago paramedics, who they say are experiencing burnout from staffing shortages. (CBS 2)

🏀 The Bulls selected 19-year-old Matas Buzelis with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Buzelis grew up in Hinsdale. (NBC Sports)

Two beaches are left standing in our weeklong tournament to crown a champion.

State of play: We say so long to the semifinal losers, Oak Street Beach and the Indiana Dunes.

The final matchup: North Avenue Beach vs. Montrose Beach.

Two premier North Side beaches duke it out with both sporting more than just sand and water.

• Montrose Beach hosts soccer matches, softball games, 5K runs and birdwatching.
• North Avenue beach is the home for beach volleyball, outstanding skyline views and Castaways.

Vote here! We'll keep the poll open until 4pm.

Somewhere between a sandwich and a burrito, wraps have become an ultra-popular way to nosh all sorts of ingredients — especially Buffalo chicken and Caesar salads — by hand.

• We recently tried some of your favorites, and here's what we found.

Monica went with the Buffalo chicken wrap ($14.75) at Pick Me Up Cafe in Andersonville (photo above) after reading recommendations by Kyle B. and Sarah M., who gushed "OH my GOD, [it] is the stuff of dreams."

• If you dream of crispy, zingy chicken nubbins swaddled in the soft tortilla, this is for you. I especially loved the comfy neighborhood vibe of this place.

Justin took Andrew A.'s advice and beelined to Rock's in Northcenter.

• The Southwest Steak Wrap was the winner ($19), because it was tasty and lighter than you would expect. The Buffalo chicken ($16) shouldn't be slept on either.

Carrie followed Lynn A. to Kale My Name in Albany Park for the Italian seitan wrap ($17). Lynn says she loves the vegan eatery even though she's not vegan.

• The sun-dried tomatoes and tangy, creamy mozzarella cheese make this extra yummy, but the hefty portion of seitan needed a little more spice.
• Pro tip: Stuff your garlic sautéed kale side into the wrap.

More wraps