Last week, homeowners scored a win when a federal court ruled that the way Cook County collects on property tax debt is unconstitutional. At issue is the fact that when the county sells unpaid property tax debt to collectors, after a 30-36 month redemption period, those collectors can get a deed to your home — and your home equity, even if it far outstrips what you actually owe. Imagine having built $100,000 in equity in your home over decades, only to lose it all over a $1,000 tax bill.