Cook County Assessor Election Heats Up as Kaegi and Hynes Trade Blows

The next Cook County assessor will be announced on Tuesday night, as the incumbent and challenger engage in a heated race.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:03pm

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The race for Cook County assessor is heating up as the incumbent, Fritz Kaegi, and his challenger, Brendan Hynes, trade blows ahead of the election on Tuesday. With no Republican candidate in the race, the winner of the Democratic primary will effectively become the next assessor. Voters in Chicago have been braving the cold weather to cast their ballots, with many expressing frustration with recent national and international events that have impacted their lives locally.

Why it matters

The Cook County assessor is a powerful position that oversees the property tax assessment process, which has a significant impact on residents' finances. The race has become a proxy battle for broader political and policy debates, with the candidates offering contrasting visions for the role of the assessor's office.

The details

Kaegi, the incumbent assessor, has touted his efforts to make the assessment process more transparent and equitable, while Hynes has criticized him for being too aggressive in raising property taxes. The two candidates have engaged in a heated war of words, with each accusing the other of mismanaging the office and failing to serve the best interests of Cook County residents.

  • Polls are open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
  • The winner of the Democratic primary will be announced on Tuesday night.

The players

Fritz Kaegi

The incumbent Cook County assessor, who has touted his efforts to make the assessment process more transparent and equitable.

Brendan Hynes

The challenger for the Cook County assessor position, who has criticized Kaegi for being too aggressive in raising property taxes.

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What they’re saying

“My parents raised us to make sure we voted. It didn't matter who voted for, but you better darn vote.”

— Bill, Chicago resident (abc7chicago.com)

“It feels good, man, feels like we're gonna make some changes today.”

— Andre Wallace, Chicago resident (abc7chicago.com)

“You find out the hard way what you are giving up your power for if you don't. We have a lot of things happening with the federal government that people are not happy with. But is a direct result of people not being here on days like this.”

— Dawne Collier, Chicago resident (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Democratic primary for Cook County assessor will be announced on Tuesday night, and they will effectively become the next assessor, as there is no Republican candidate in the race.

The takeaway

The race for Cook County assessor has become a high-stakes battle, with the incumbent and challenger offering contrasting visions for the role of the assessor's office. Voters in Chicago have been engaged in the process, braving the cold weather to cast their ballots and express their frustration with broader political and policy issues that have impacted their lives locally.