Pat Hynes, a Democrat and the current Lyons Township assessor, is running for Cook County Assessor in the Nov. 3 general election.

Hynes faces Libertarian candidate Nico Tsatsoulis in the race for the countywide office responsible for setting assessed property values used to calculate tax bills.

Candidate information

  • Name: Pat Hynes
  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Cook County Assessor
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Hometown: Beverly native, according to his campaign Facebook page

Hynes has described himself as a husband and "Girl Dad" with more than 30 years of experience in the property tax field, according to his campaign Facebook page.

Experience and public service

  • Assessor, Lyons Township (2021–present), according to BallotReady profile data
  • Senior Residential Field Inspector, Cook County Assessor's Office (2004–2021), according to BallotReady profile data
  • Firefighter, Western Springs Fire Department (2012–present), according to BallotReady profile data

On the issues

Property tax assessments and data quality

Hynes has said the county's property tax assessments rely on outdated, error-filled data that leaves taxpayers doubting whether their bills are fair, according to his campaign website. He said he would correct the property tax rolls and restore integrity to the system.

To improve accuracy, Hynes has proposed expanding the team of field inspectors, strengthening training for current staff and reinstating what he called "a culture of professionalism," according to his campaign website. He has also called for investing in continuing education and professional certifications for frontline employees.

Reassessment frequency

Hynes has opposed moving to an annual reassessment model, saying volatility in assessments is the real issue rather than the frequency of reassessments, according to a Civic Federation forum. He proposed better data collection and record keeping to support a more reliable assessment system, along with property tax relief programs.

Economic development

Hynes has said he would establish a dedicated Department of Economic Development within the assessor's office, according to his campaign website. He said the department would bring together residents, small businesses and industry leaders to create partnerships aimed at local growth.

Endorsements

The following organizations have endorsed Hynes, according to BallotReady profile data:

  • Cook County Democrats
  • Chicago Federation of Labour
  • IUOE Local 150
  • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134
  • Citizen Action Illinois
  • American Arab Chamber of Commerce

Candidate information is drawn from the candidate's own campaign materials, BallotReady profile data and a Civic Federation forum. Responses reflect the candidate's stated positions. The Park Ridge Wire has not independently verified all claims.