Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes was formally slated by Cook County Democratic Committeepeople as the party’s candidate for Cook County Assessor in the 2026 primary; an outcome that many insiders describe as both notable and hard-won. It is quite rare for a Township of Lyons resident to be on the County Slate.

Hynes, elected Lyons Township Assessor in 2021, entered the race last May. His professional focus has been consistent: helping homeowners understand and manage their property tax burdens. “This is my vocation,” Hynes said. “It’s important to me, and I take it seriously when a taxpayer is being treated unfairly.”

A 1990 Brother Rice High School graduate, Hynes spent over two decades working in the CookCounty Assessor’s Office, where he grew increasingly troubled by stories of seniors, widows, single parents, and working families being pushed out of their homes. “I’ve really internalized a lot of stories,” he said. “After a while, it wasn’t getting any better, and I couldn’t get any change.”

Since taking office in Lyons Township, Hynes reports that he has returned more than $14 million to taxpayers through corrected assessments and exemptions. Earlier this year, his office was named Most Outstanding Assessment Jurisdiction by the Illinois Property Assessment Institute.

Hynes has been outspoken about systemic issues he believes contribute to inequitable tax burdens. He cites the county’s failure to update its records when homes expand, such as 1960s ranches with added second floors, and the widespread underassessment of new homes, warehouses, and commercial buildings that sometimes remain off the tax rolls for years. “Property taxes are a zero-sum game,” he said. “If they forget to assess that, the burden just gets passed to everyone else.”