This year marks an incredible milestone for Oak Park Township: Ali ElSaffar, our dedicated Township Assessor, is celebrating 25 years of service to our community.
Ali first joined the Township Assessor’s Office in 2000 as deputy assessor and was elected assessor the following year. Since then, he has guided countless Oak Park residents through the complexities of Cook County’s property tax system — assisting with thousands of tax appeals and helping secure millions of dollars in refunds and exemptions for local homeowners.
At the 2025 Illinois Property Assessment Institute Conference, Ali received the Marshall Theroux Memorial Award — the Institute’s highest honor — for his exceptional ethical standards, professional achievements, and unwavering service to others. And yes … the moment he realized the award was his? When a photo of his adorable dog Shakira popped up during the presentation!
Our Assessor’s Office, under Ali’s leadership, offers top-tier tax assistance at no cost to residents, enabling families to save significantly and expand their opportunities. Many families have shared their gratitude for the meaningful savings, which have enabled them to provide a broader range of choices for their children’s universities, cover tuition costs, or even buy a much-needed car. Ali’s work has made a real difference in people’s lives — not just in their tax bills, but in their everyday possibilities.
Ali’s roots in public service run deep. A proud graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Class of 1984, he earned degrees from Grinnell College and the University of Iowa College of Law. After returning home to Oak Park in 1991, he continued his family’s tradition of real estate management, laying the foundation for his passion for real estate law and community advocacy.
Ali’s accomplishments speak for themselves — from partnering with Senator Don Harmon to strengthen state laws on referendums and senior tax exemptions to being named Villager of the Year by the Wednesday Journal in 2007 and Illinois Assessor of the Year by the Illinois Assessors Association in 2012. His leadership extends throughout Cook County, where he has served as president of the Cook County Township Assessors Association since 2008, supporting and training assessors across the region.
Even in a field as serious as property taxes, Ali has always reminded us that important work can be done with care and humor — his unofficial motto, “We Make Taxes Fun!” has guided his approach for years.
On behalf of Oak Park Township, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Ali for 25 years of dedicated service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to helping our residents feel informed, supported, and empowered. We are truly fortunate to have him serve Oak Park.
Tim Thomas is Oak Park Township supervisor.