What's Happening?
Gary L’Heureux, the village president of Midlothian, has been found to have received homeowner exemptions on two properties under his name for three consecutive years. Despite his claims of taking corrective actions, the exemptions were not removed. L’Heureux became
aware of the issue in October 2024 and contacted the Cook County assessor’s office to rectify it. However, the second exemption remained. He later submitted documentation to a county erroneous exemption specialist in December 2025, but county property records still show that he saved nearly $3,000 on taxes for each home in 2022 and 2023. The exemptions continued into 2024, although the exact savings for that year are unclear. L’Heureux, who has been in office since 2017, insists he followed the necessary procedures to have the exemption removed from his previous primary residence.
Why It's Important?
This situation highlights potential issues within the property tax system in Cook County, where errors in tax exemptions can persist despite attempts to correct them. The case of L’Heureux underscores the challenges local officials and residents may face in ensuring accurate tax assessments. It raises questions about the efficiency and responsiveness of the county assessor’s office in handling such matters. The financial implications are significant, as improper exemptions can lead to substantial tax savings, affecting local government revenue. This incident may prompt a review of the processes involved in managing property tax exemptions, potentially leading to policy changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
What's Next?
The ongoing issue with L’Heureux’s tax exemptions may lead to further investigations by local authorities or the Cook County assessor’s office to determine why the exemptions were not removed as requested. There could be increased scrutiny on the procedures for handling erroneous exemptions, and the case might prompt other property owners to review their tax records for similar discrepancies. If systemic issues are identified, it could result in policy reforms aimed at improving the accuracy and accountability of property tax assessments in the county.
