Taxation at the Tipping Point: The Precarious Future of Malls and Shopping Centers

With municipalities seeking to make up the pandemic-driven shortfalls in sales tax, unless malls and shopping centers vigilantly guard the accuracy of their property tax assessments, they will likely suffer crippling economic damage at the hands of the local assessor.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Chicago

When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office, she created a very strategic plan to improve the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) tool. Her overall goal was to take a process that had been used incorrectly for city improvements and ensure that it was being used for community improvement

Are Data Centers Special Purpose Properties?

Data centers are now an important part of Illinois’ commercial property environment. The tax incentive legislation passed in 2019 is expected to accelerate the growth of data centers in Illinois and the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Urban Civil Unrest Causes Economic Strain and Uncertainty

Over the past six months, the United States has experienced a vast array of tragedies leaving many property and business owners’ lives in disarray.

Airbnb and the Short-Term Stay Industry vs Hotels

The hotel industry was struggling to compete with Airbnb and other short-term stay competitors long before the pandemic hit the United States in the early months of 2020. Airbnb, and similar home-share companies, put pressure on the hotel market, and there have been struggles between them ever since.

Industrial Property and Going Green

As technology improves and consumers look for more environmentally-aware companies, industrial property owners can take numerous steps to help reduce their contribution to the pollution statistic.

The Impact of E-Commerce and Omnichannel Commerce on Industrial Real Estate

E-commerce has shifted the real estate market as companies look for bigger warehouses to ease product distribution.

COVID-19

Property Tax Assessment and Valuation in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Siegel & Callahan is featured in the recent National Real Estate Investor 2020 Midyear Outlook.

Changes in Cook County Valuation Practice for Vacant Property

The Cook County Assessor’s Office (CCAO) recently clarified its policy on granting assessment reductions due to vacancy.

economic impact

Nashville — America's "It" City in Crisis

With no municipal reserve of funds, and revenue from sales tax all but extinguished by the recent pandemic, Nashville’s mayor, John Cooper has recently resorted to a property tax increase.