Attorneys
Paul Reilly
Paul Reilly is a graduate of Quincy University and Loyola University School of Law. After law school Paul worked in the Assessor’s Office as the Director of Research and Standards. In this capacity, he established appraisal methodologies and supervised the tax valuations of large commercial and industrial properties.
Paul entered private practice in 1983 concentrating on property tax appeals. Since that time, he has worked extensively on matters related to the assessments of large commercial and industrial properties.
From 1997 to 2007 Paul served as the Director of the Assessor’s Tax Policy Forum. The Forum studied dozens of issues related to tax policy. Many of the changes recommended by the Forum resulted in legislation and policy changes at both state and county levels.
Paul has successfully appealed thousands of assessments of various types of properties. His recent successful appeal decisions include
- $4,500,000 in annual tax savings for a full service hotel operating in downtown Chicago
- Over $1,000,000 in total annual tax savings for a regional auto dealer
- $2,800,000 in annual savings for high rise office building
- $3,100,000 in annual tax savings for a suburban multifamily complex
Education
Professional Experience
Publications
Real Estate Tax Assessment of Commercial Property in Distressed Markets published by Attorneys and Executives in Corporate Real Estate (AECRE), May 1994.
Adjusting Sales for the Effects of Creative Financing, Illinois Property Assessment Institute, 1983.
Valuation of Property for Illinois Tax Service: Introduction to Illinois Property Taxation, originally published by Matthew Bender & Company, 1985.
Assessing Government Assisted Multifamily Housing, Chicago Rehab Network, 2003.
Professional Licenses
Licensed Real Estate Broker (Illinois)
James Dooley
James Dooley worked in the Cook County Assessor’s Office from 2002-2009 as a commercial valuation analyst, and he was responsible for, among other things, the valuation of Chicago’s downtown office buildings. While working at the Assessor’s Office full time, Jim went to the Loyola University Chicago Law School, where he was a member of the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal and graduated cum laude in 2009.
After law school, Jim left the Assessor’s Office to work as a litigation associate at Winston & Strawn LLP before joining Klafter and Burke in 2012. While at Klafter and Burke, he represented hundreds of local and national companies in commercial property tax disputes before various township and county assessors, county boards of review, the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, and in the Illinois trial courts.
Jim’s recent significant cases include:
Circuit Court of Cook County
- Counsel for a Fortune 50 telecommunications company in a case involving their former suburban headquarters that resulted in judgments in favor of his client for over $2,000,000 in property tax refunds.
Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board
- Counsel in a case involving a Suburban Multifamily apartment building that resulted in over $350,000 in property tax refunds.
Cook County Board of Review
- Counsel in a case involving a large corporate headquarters that ended with a decision in his client’s favor resulting in the corporation saving over $1,000,000.
- Counsel in a case involving a Chicago Office building that ended with a decision resulting in over $3,400,000 in tax savings.
- Counsel in a case involving a Chicago Multifamily building that ended with a decision resulting in over $3,500,000 in tax savings.
Cook County Assessor's Office
- Represented a national financial services company in a case involving a 950,000-square foot Chicago office tower that ended with a decision resulting in the corporation saving over $3,000,000.
Mark Volpe
As a frequent speaker on property tax issues, Mark has developed a talent for making complex matters simple. His ability to break down complicated legal issues into easily understood concepts provides tax officials confidence in deciding cases in his favor, resulting in highly successful appeal outcomes at Boards of Review, the State Property Tax Appeal Board, and in the Circuit Court. Mark has a detailed knowledge base on many real estate tax subjects, including incentive properties, hotel valuation, tax exemptions, and tax sales. Clients, colleagues, and appeals analysts alike often consult Mark when they are confronting complex property tax matters, knowing that they’ll get an honest and thoughtful response.
Mark has fought for his clients in various jurisdictions throughout Illinois. Examples of his recent successes include
- $3,400,000 in total tax savings for an office complex in the West Loop
- $1,000,000 in annual tax savings for a high rise condominium building
- An assessment reduction of 97% on a 13 floor high rise office building, reflecting a tax savings of $2,600,000
- $2,800,000 in annual savings for a full service hotel in downtown Chicago
Education
Experience
Contact
Direct: 312-429-0529
mvolpe@rdretax.com
Dan Cronin, Of Counsel
Dan Cronin served in elected office from 1991 to 2022. Twenty years in the Illinois General Assembly, both in the House for two years and the Senate for 18 years. Followed by 12 years as DuPage County Board Chairman. He prides himself on working collaboratively with all interested parties to solve problems for the betterment of the community.
Dan continues to devote time and attention to regional issues of public transit, transportation, education, economic development, and public health and safety.
As of Counsel to Reilly & Dooley LLC, Dan Cronin brings unique and extensive experience in government and the practice of law advising clients on matters involving real estate development incentives and infrastructure improvements.
Dan is also Senior Partner and President of Power & Cronin, Ltd., an Oak Brook based law firm.