Chairman & Commissioner George A. Cardenas

Commissioner George A. Cardenas

View District Map

Townships 

Barrington, Berwyn, Cicero, 

Elk Grove, Hanover, Jefferson, 

Lake, Leyden, Lyons, Palatine, 

Palos, Proviso, Riverside, 

Schaumburg, South Chicago, 

Stickney, West Chicago, Wheeling, 

Worth

Commissioner's Corner

Questions, comments, or requests? Contact Commissioner Cardenas at (312) 603-2676 or BORDistrict1info@cookcountyil.gov 

 

George Cardenas is in his first term as Chairman of the Cook County Board of Review & Commissioner of the Board of Review's First District, which mainly consists of the southwest side of Chicago, southwest suburbs, western suburbs, and the northwest suburbs. Previously, Commissioner Cardenas served 20 years as a Chicago alderman where he was the Deputy Floor Leader of City Council, Chair of the Environmental Protection and Energy Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Commissioner Cardenas is also an appointed member of the Cook County Environmental Commission.

As a child, Cardenas and his family came to Chicago in search of the American Dream after emigrating from Durango, Mexico. Upon graduating from Lane Technical High School in 1984 he joined the United States Navy to help pay for his education. After earning an honorable discharge Cardenas successfully earned an undergraduate degree in accounting and a master’s degree in Political Science from Northeastern Illinois University. Before joining government Cardenas accumulated over a decade of experience working for Fortune 500 companies. Using this unique background, Commissioner Cardenas strives to be a voice for positive change in Cook County.

George Cardenas was raised in Chicago and currently resides in the McKinley Park neighborhood with his family.

Upcoming Events

Jefferson Township Property Tax Appeal Workshop - with Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas & 30th Ward Alderwoman Ruth Cruz

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas & 30th Ward Alderwoman Ruth Cruz are hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Jefferson Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Tuesday 09/08/2026 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Chicago Academy Elementary School, 3400 N. Austin Ave., Chicago, IL 60634 

(enter via Door #8 on Meade Ave.)

Enter via Door #8 on Meade Ave.

Worth Township Property Tax Appeal Workshop - with Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas & Worth Township Assessor Shaun Murphy are hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Worth Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal. Winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

 

Wednesday 09/09/2026 from 5pm-7pm

Worth Township Hall at 11601 S. Pulaski Rd., Alsip, IL 60803

 

Hosted by: 

Shaun Murphy, Worth Township Assessor

Patricia Joan Murphy, Worth Township Supervisor

Sean Morrison, County Commissioner, 17th District

Bill Cunningham, State Senator, IL-18th

Mary Gill, State Representative, IL-35th

Rick Ryan, State Representative, IL-35th 

George Cardenas, Chairman, Board of Review

Berwyn Township Property Tax Appeal Workshop - with Board of Review District 1 Staff, Berwyn Township Assessor Jackie Pereda, State Rep. Rashid, State Rep. Hernandez, & State Sen. Porfirio

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Berwyn Township residents are invited to this FREE property tax appeal workshop to ask questions about their assessment/property tax appeal and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing an appeal. Winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Thursday 09/10/2026 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Heritage Middle School, 6850 31st St., Berwyn, IL 60402

Brought to you by: Berwyn Township Assessor Jackie Pereda, State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (IL-21st), State Rep. Lisa Hernandez (IL-2nd), and State Sen. Mike Porfirio (IL-11th), and Board of Review District 1 Staff

West Chicago Township, Property Tax Appeals at 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez Ward Night - with Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas is hosting FREE property tax appeal services during 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez's Ward Night. West Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Tuesday 09/15/2026 from 3pm - 6pm

25th Ward Office, 2100 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL 60608

Jefferson Township Outreach at Northwest Center - hosted by 31st Ward Alderman Cardona, Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, & Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

31st Ward Alderman Felix Cardona, the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, and Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas are hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Jefferson Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal. Winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Wednesday 09/16/2026 from 5pm-7pm

Northwest Center, 5233 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60639

Lake Township property tax appeal workshop - with Alderman Matt O'Shea (19th Ward), Rep. Mary Gill (IL-35th), Sen. Cunningham (IL-18th)

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas is hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Lake Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Tuesday 09/22/2026 from 6pm-8pm

Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences at 3857 W. 111st St., Chicago, IL 60655

 

Hosted by:

George Cardenas, Chairman, Board of Review 

Alderman Matt O'Shea (19th Ward)

Representative Mary Gill (IL-35th)

Senator Cunningham (IL-18th)

Part I: Outreach for Chicago Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 2 (union members only) - hosted by Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

IAFF Local 2 members are invited to file a property tax appeal (at no cost) with the Board of Review. Come to the Local 2 HQ at 440 W. 43rd St., Chicago, IL 60609 on either Tuesday 09/22 (7pm-9pm) or Wednesday 09/23 (10am-12pm). These services will be provided alongside the IAFF Local 2 meeting occurring on these dates.

This event is strictly for IAFF Local 2 Union members. 

Part II: Outreach for Chicago Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 2 (union members only) - hosted by Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

IAFF Local 2 members are invited to file a property tax appeal (at no cost) with the Board of Review. Come to the Local 2 HQ at 440 W. 43rd St., Chicago, IL 60609 on either Tuesday 09/22 (7pm-9pm) or Wednesday 09/23 (10am-12pm). These services will be provided alongside the IAFF Local 2 meeting occurring on these dates.

This event is strictly for IAFF Local 2 Union members.

Lake Township Outreach - FREE property tax appeals at 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn's Senior Celebration

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Join us at the Southside Senior Fair hosted by Alderman Marty Quinn, State Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar, and State Senator Mike Porfirio on Friday 09/25/2026.

The Board of Review will have a resource table where property owners can ask property tax-related questions get on-the-spot assistance filing a FREE property tax appeal. Winning an appeal may result in lower future property tax bills. 

To RSVP, call (773)581-1313.

Berwyn Township property tax appeal intake @ Berwyn Police Department Open House

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Come see the Board of Review table at the 09/26/2026 Berwyn Police Department Open House! 

All Berwyn Township homeowners are encouraged to visit our table to ask questions on the property tax appeal process and get free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal with assistance from Board of Review Analysts.

Saturday 09/26/2026 from 12pm - 3pm

Berwyn Police Department, 6401 W. 31st St., Berwyn, IL 60402 

West Chicago Township, Property Tax Appeals at 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez Ward Night - with Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas is hosting FREE property tax appeal services during 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez's Ward Night. West Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Tuesday 09/29/2026 from 3pm - 6pm

25th Ward Office, 2100 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL 60608

Lake Township property tax appeal workshop - with 13th Ward Alderman Quinn, State Rep. Guerrero-Cuellar (IL-22), State Sen. Porfirio (IL-11), and Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas, 13th Ward Alderman Quinn, State Rep. Guerrero-Cuellar (IL-22), & State Sen. Porfirio (IL-11) are hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Lake Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Saturday 10/10/2026 from 9am - 11am

Nathan Hale Park Fieldhouse @ 6258 W. 62nd St., Chicago, IL 60638 

Lake Township property tax appeal workshop - with 13th Ward Alderman Quinn, State Rep. Guerrero-Cuellar (IL-22), State Sen. Porfirio (IL-11), and Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas, 13th Ward Alderman Quinn, State Rep. Guerrero-Cuellar (IL-22), & State Sen. Porfirio (IL-11) are hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Lake Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Wednesday 10/14/2026 from 5pm - 7pm

Nathan Hale Park Fieldhouse @ 6258 W. 62nd St., Chicago, IL 60638 

Lake Township property tax appeal workshop - with Alderman Matt O'Shea (19th Ward), Rep. Mary Gill (IL-35th), Sen. Cunningham (IL-18th)

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas is hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Lake Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Wednesday 10/14/2026 from 6pm-8pm

Morgan Park High School (Blackwelder Auditorium) at 1744 W. Pryor Ave., Chicago, IL 60643

 

Hosted by:

George Cardenas, Chairman, Board of Review 

Alderman Matt O'Shea (19th Ward)

Representative Mary Gill (IL-35th)

Senator Cunningham (IL-18th)

Lake Township property tax appeal workshop - with 13th Ward Alderman Quinn, State Rep. Guerrero-Cuellar (IL-22), State Sen. Porfirio (IL-11), and Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas

-
District:
District 1 - George Cardenas

Board of Review Chairman George Cardenas, 13th Ward Alderman Quinn, State Rep. Guerrero-Cuellar (IL-22), & State Sen. Porfirio (IL-11) are hosting a FREE property tax appeal workshop. Lake Township homeowners are invited to ask questions and receive free, on-the-spot assistance filing a property tax appeal - winning an appeal can result in a reduced assessed value and reduced future property tax bills. 

Please bring your most recent property tax bill, if you have it. 

Saturday 10/24/2026 from 9am - 11am

13th Ward Office @ 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60629