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In early March, 2025, the Cook County Assessor’s Office announced that property tax exemption applications for the 2024 tax year (second installment payments due in August, 2025) are now available online at https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions.  Exemptions create savings that lower a homeowner’s property tax bill.  Taxpayer’s should verify whether or not they are receiving appropriate exemptions by […]

The 2024 first installment bills have issued on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 and will be due on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.  If you have not received your first installment 2024 tax bill, you can go on the Cook County Treasurer’s website – www.cookcountytreasurer.com, click on Payment Details (purple box) and type in your Property Index […]

As the Chicago Bear’s disappointing 2025 season ended on Sunday, the Chicago Bears were at least successful in their pursuit of a property tax deal with Arlington Heights and local taxing districts.  During the middle of December, 2024, the Arlington Heights Village Board voted 8-0 to seal a deal to set the Chicago Bears’ real […]

The Chicago Bears have had an eventful Thanksgiving week.  Prior to their loss on Thanksgiving to the Detroit Lions and their firing of their head coach on Friday, November 29th, the Chicago Bears, village of Arlington Heights and the local school districts agreed to a memorandum of understanding involving the amount of real estate taxes […]

The 2024 triennial assessments for all properties in Chicago have been released, revealing a staggering 30% increase in assessed values for properties in North Chicago Township, including those in Lincoln Park and along North Michigan Avenue. Cook County Assessor Kaegi has significantly raised the assessments and market valuations for hotel properties on the Magnificent Mile. […]

The Cook County Treasurer’s Office has reported a concerning statistic: only 95.1% of the property taxes billed for tax year 2023 have been collected as of September 1, 2024 which is a month after the payment due date for the second installment 2023 real estate taxes. This figure, though seemingly high, reveals a deeper issue […]

As a property owner, you may wonder why I often recommend obtaining an appraisal when considering a real estate tax appeal for your owner-occupied property. This is particularly important if you operate a business from the property. Here are three compelling reasons why securing an appraisal is essential for a successful tax appeal. 1. Compliance […]

In 2024, southern townships of Cook County have been hit with the most significant property tax increases in nearly three decades.  The second installment of the 2023 real estate tax bills, due on August 1, 2024, showed a median increase of almost 20%, with some areas experiencing hikes exceeding 30%.  These soaring taxes could force […]

The second installment 2023 tax bill will be due for all Cook County property owners and taxpayers on Thursday, August 1, 2024.  Periodically, we like to inform taxpayers of the myriad of options they have to pay their property taxes. Many property owners escrow their real estate taxes and authorize mortgage companies to pay their […]

The 2023 second installment tax bills are now available on the Cook County Treasurer’s website (www.cookcountytreasurer.com), click on payment details (purple box), type in your property’s Permanent Index Number and then click on the link to the second installment 2023 tax bill.  The tax bills became available on-line on the Treasurer’s website on Monday, June […]