Elly Drake Chicago

Elly Drake joined Ryan Law after more than a decade of real estate tax experience in the public sector.

Prior to joining the firm, Elly served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Real Estate Tax Division of the State’s Attorney’s Office. While representing Cook County, Elly’s practice focused on real estate tax litigation, defending the Assessor, Board of Review, Treasurer and Clerk in an array of matters. Elly has extensive knowledge and experience in handling specific-tax objections, tax injunctions, tax sales, and actions seeking awards from the indemnity fund. She has defended her clients in both the County and Law Divisions of the Circuit Court and before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.

Elly was also a tax attorney at the Cook County Board of Review. Elly concentrated on real estate valuation and taxation and has adjudicated on hundreds of complex commercial, industrial, residential, and condominium tax assessment appeals. During her eight years there, she was also Freedom of Information Act Officer (“FOIA”) and Director of Outreach, where she served as a taxpayer advocate and a governmental liaison to Cook County businesses and homeowners.

Certified as an Illinois Assessing Officer and equipped with both private and public sector experience, Elly offers a high-level understanding and strategic resolutions for clients on all levels of real estate tax matters throughout Cook County and Illinois.