James Chipman

Jim has concentrated his practice in the area of property tax assessment law for over 35 years. He has filed hundreds of tax appeals for commercial, industrial, residential, and farm taxpayers before township assessors, county boards of review, and the state Property Tax Appeal Board. He also represents units of local governments before the board of review and state Property Tax Appeal Board in all Illinois counties, except for Cook and the suburban counties.

Prior to entering private practice in 2013, Jim served as executive director and legal counsel of the Property Tax Appeal Board from 1994 to 2006. He oversaw the expansion of the board’s jurisdiction to Cook County for the first time in 1995 due to change in Illinois law.

Jim has held several leadership positions with the Illinois State Bar Association, including chair of the State & Local Taxation Section Council. He was also elected to serve two terms as a member of Assembly, the policy making body of the association.

EDUCATION

• Southern Illinois University School of Law, J.D., 1982
• Illinois College, B.A. in History, with honors, 1979

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Illinois, 1982

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Illinois State Bar Association
• International Association of Assessing Officers

COURT ADMISSIONS

• United States Supreme Court
• United States Tax Court
• United States District Court, Central District of Illinois

HONORS & AWARDS

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• The Sister Cities Association of Springfield, Illinois, Board Member and past Vice President. SCI is a non-profit, citizen diplomacy group promoting mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation between international cities. The City of Springfield has three sister city relationships – Ashikaga, Japan; San Pedro de los Colonias, Mexico; and Jining City, China.
• Springfield’s Sunrise Rotary Club, President