Billy Corgan Pays Some Of The Highest Property Taxes In The Chicago Area

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on May 18, 2016 5:48PM

In recent months, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan appears to have completed the transformation from alt-rock elder statesman to cranky troll extraordinaire. (He directed his ire at “social justice warrior brainwashing” last month and recently compared Bernie Sanders to Chairman Mao while a guest on conspiracy-minded talk show Infowars.) A possible contributing factor to all that grumpiness? Corgan pays nearly the highest property tax bill in all of suburban Chicago, according to a Crain's analysis.

Corgan paid nearly $169,000 on his vast, 9,600-square-foot estate in Highland Park this month. Only Medline Industries President Andy Mills and his wife, Nancy, paid more on their property—which is nestled by Lake Michigan in Highland Park. Late-'80s soft-rock hit-maker Richard Marx also felt the property-tax pinch, paying out roughly $158,000. (Insert “Should’ve Known Better pun here.)

While we enjoy gently ribbing Corgan for his more crotchety tendencies, his commitment to the Chicago area is truly admirable in our eyes —especially when one realizes how it impacts the Glendale Heights native’s wallet. In that positive spirit, enjoy a look back at last month’s warm live reunion with original Pumpkin James Iha at the Chicago Civic Opera House, where bills appeared to be the last thing on Corgan’s mind. It was the local leg of the band's well-received, acoustic In Plainsong tour.

[H/T Curbed]