Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced that SB 1379, the Data Modernization Bill, led by Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-40), passed the Illinois Senate in a bi-partisan vote of 36-16-1. The Data Modernization Bill is the first legislative step toward property tax reform since Assessor Kaegi took office four months ago. The bill gives the Cook County Assessor’s Office the ability to collect operating income and expense data for income-generating properties (most smaller properties are exempt). This data will improve the accuracy of assessments for commercial property owners and help Assessor Kaegi deliver on a promise of fairer assessments throughout the County. The bill now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives where the House Revenue Committee will take it up before a full House vote. The Data Modernization Bill is supported by a number of organizations throughout Illinois, representing a variety of business, educational and civic groups as well as unions, school districts and assessor’s offices throughout the state including the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Mark Armstrong, Kane County Supervisor of Assessments; Warren Dixon, Naperville Township Assessor; BMO Harris Bank; Brookfield Properties Retail Group, owner of Water Tower Place; Abbell Associates’ Elizabeth Holland, former Chair of the International Council of Shopping Centers and AFSCME 31.