ALL ABOARD
The Training, Research, Advocacy, & Education Network, Inc. (TRAEN, Inc.) is an Illinois think tank dedicated to educating and engaging the public in programs and policies that benefit taxpayers, businesses and organizations.
To address economic and social needs with strategies in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, TRAEN trains students, consumers, taxpayers, and organizations. TRAEN shares economic data and real-world financial and social impact stories with academia, government, and elected officials. TRAEN conducts research and raises awareness on issues of economic concern, as well as providing volunteer and in-kind support, consulting, and/or advocacy services related to policy reforms and programmatic opportunities.
On a selective basis, TRAEN can administer and/or support non-profit groups, initiatives, and foundations, and engage in advocacy or lobbying activities. TRAEN seeks to reform and promote policies that are equitable and accessible, useful, and understandable to the public.
In recent years, TRAEN successfully advocated for reforms to increase tax accuracy and fairness, raising awareness of property tax exemptions in Illinois.
HELP US BUILD A FAIRER TAX SYSTEM
(312) 640 - 2436
300 North State St. Unit 3525
Chicago, IL 60654
Property Tax Breaks for the Highest Market Value Properties and the Wealthiest 1%
TRAEN, Inc. examined two of Cook County’s income-based property tax exemptions—the Long-Time Homeowner Exemption and the Senior Freeze Exemption—to uncover misuses that warrant annual audits and the issuance of Erroneous Exemption Notices.
Cook County Commercial & Residential Assessment Reductions Based on COVID Unemployment Rates:
The Perils of Housing Market Predictions Based on a Pandemic
A profound shift in Cook County’s property tax burden will be an unanticipated legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. A massive $1.2 billion in residential property tax breaks will be transferred to businesses and a small group of homeowners on 2nd installment tax bills. TRAEN and CEPA issued a report showcasing the crushing impact of the Assessor’s COVID cuts.
Read the FULL Report
Small businesses and corporations will be hit particularly hard by this tax shift. Chicagoland Chamber CEO Jack Lavin warned about the COVID cuts impact in his recent Crain's opinion piece.
TRAEN WORKS
MONEY SMART WEEK
TRAEN participates each year in Money Smart Week, a weeklong series of financial literacy sessions sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. To participate in a property tax self-help session, log on to MoneySmartWeek.org.
TRAEN has assisted non-profit and academic research efforts within both economic and social justice systems. TRAEN advises and provides strategies backed by projected or historical revenue data to special service areas, chambers of commerce, governmental boards and commissions, township assessors, aldermen, councilmen, village clerks, and legislators.
NEWS & PUBLICATIONS
TRAEN FORECLOSURE STUDY
TRAEN, Inc. is advocating for additional community housing groups to join several others in support of fairer assessment legislation that would provide a stronger equity impact for minority homeowners. Many countywide groups are on board in support of SB 3788 foreclosure legislation that requires assessors to use high foreclosure rates in their market value formulas for minority and distressed neighborhoods...