Nico Tsatsoulis, a Libertarian, is running for Cook County Assessor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat Pat Hynes.

Candidate information

Party: Libertarian

Occupation: Asked about his occupation and work history in our candidate questionnaire, Tsatsoulis said: "Real estate manager. I have worked in consulting, finance, retail, wholesale and real estate on three continents."

Education: Asked about his education, Tsatsoulis said in our questionnaire: "AB '88, MBA '89 University of Chicago. My education has contributed to my questioning the status quo and looking for better ways to do things. It has also inspired me to fight power when it is takes unjust stands and works against the interests of the people."

Previous elected or appointed offices: None, according to our candidate questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Tsatsoulis ran as the Libertarian candidate for Cook County Assessor in 2022 and for Cook County Board of Review District 3 in 2024, according to his Libertarian Party profile. He has worked in retail, finance and real estate, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

Why he is running: Asked why he is seeking office, Tsatsoulis said in our questionnaire: "Assessments are inherently subjective. There is no scientific way to derive objective assessments. … Property taxes are completely independent of the value of our properties, although most people do not realize that. Tax levies are set by how much money politicians want, not by how much properties are worth."

He added: "Because assessments are subjective, they are often appealed. The appeals rate is 25%. In LA county where they use the objective system I am advocating for, the appeals rate is 1%."

He said the current system means "the corporations and the rich who can afford the property tax lawyers, get their taxes reduced and the working poor and middle class have to pick up the burden."

Property tax proposal: Tsatsoulis said on his campaign website that he wants to "limit property taxes to 1% of assessed value with annual inflation increases capped at 2%." He also called for using sale values rather than office-generated figures for tax assessments and for changing the Cook County code to "eliminate harmful ordinance that taxes commercial properties more than residential properties."

Differences from opponent: Asked about critical differences between himself and his opponent, Tsatsoulis said in our questionnaire: "I am the only candidate fighting to cap property taxes and eliminate the corrupting influence of money in this office. … My opponent believes the current property tax system works perfectly fine and needs no changes."

He added: "Unlike my opponent, I accept zero campaign donations and run a grassroots campaign on a $1,000 budget."

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show he can handle the job, Tsatsoulis said in our questionnaire: "I immigrated to the United States alone at age 19 to pursue my education, going on to become the youngest MBA student in my class at the University of Chicago. Since 2021, I have led the charge to cap property taxes, bringing the precise technical knowledge and innovative ideas required to overhaul this office."

He also said: "This is my third time running for office completely independent of the political establishment … accepting zero donations and spending almost nothing. Yet, against all odds, I have earned hundreds of thousands of votes as the ultimate underdog."

Best advice: Asked about the best advice he has received, Tsatsoulis said in our questionnaire: "Be yourself and do not take no for an answer. Don't give a damn what everyone else thinks. Read the Wall Street Journal and take an accounting class while in college. Never buy a new car."

Candidate responses were collected through the Evanston Wire candidate questionnaire and through BallotReady. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.