Cook County Second Installment 2024 Tax Bills Continue to Be Delayed
A commonly asked question by Cook County property owners and taxpayers is when the second installment 2024 real estate tax bills will be issued and when will they be due? Unfortunately, the 2024 second installment issuance and due dates are unknown as of the current date due to recurring problems with Cook County’s conversion to a new computer system which Texas-based Tyler Technologies, the county’s computer consultant, is implementing as the prior system has been totally replaced. Reports have speculated that the bills could be issued in October and due in November or in November due in December. However, at this time, this is mere speculation.
Local governments that depend on property tax revenues, primarily school districts, have been taking out tax-anticipation-notes to cover operating expenses. However, with the City of Chicago facing an approximately $1.15 billion 2025 budget shortfall and with the Chicago Public Schools facing budgetary shortfalls and cuts and other taxing bodies under increased stress, any delay is harmful per Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson. In a recent Crain’s Chicago Business article, Ferguson was quoted saying “Government systems that rely on property-tax revenues are operating on a razor’s edge. This (delay) absolutely doesn’t help and makes it imperative to get the bills out ASAP.” “Delayed property tax bills could shake up budget season – and elections,” by Greg Hinz (7/28/25).
In addition to delays in issuing tax bills, the Cook County Treasurer’s website, through which tax refunds are processed, has been under maintenance for several months. As a result, more than $90 million in taxpayer refunds have been delayed, including refunds related to the Homeowner and Senior Citizen Homestead Exemptions for prior years, Certificates of Error applications, Property Tax Appeal Board decisions, and tax objection lawsuits in Circuit Court.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has brought together Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to agree on procedures to enable the county to issue the tax bills on the July and February schedule. County Board President Preckwinkle has stated publicly that “By bringing together all the offices involved in the property tax system, we got back on track. Bills went out on time again last year” (for the 2023 tax bills due in 2024). Hopefully, these agencies can refrain from trying to place blame on the 2024 second installment bills’ delay and work together with Tyler Technologies to fix the issues with the second installment tax bills so that bills can be paid to taxpayers, allowing critical bills of taxing districts to be paid and allowing other taxpayers to receive long-awaited refunds.”
Rieff Schramm Kanter & Guttman LLC provides reliable advice that can lower your tax burden. To schedule an appointment, call or contact our Chicago office online for a free consultation.
