Monthly Archives: May 2018

Assessor’s Office Announces New Model for Property Assessments

new-assessment-model-does-not-end-need-for-appealIn a year in which the Cook County property tax system was repeatedly declared broken – by  investigative journalists, a non-profit group, an academic study and, indirectly, the voters who decided in March not to return Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios to office – the Cook County Assessor’s Office has announced a new model for residential property assessments it describes as a “huge step forward for Cook County.”

In recent months, the Civic Consulting Alliance (CCA), the University of Chicago, ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune have documented flaws in the county’s property tax system that have led to a whopping transfer of taxes on undervalued homes and pricey commercial properties to homeowners with the least valuable homes. Berrios noted in the press release that he operated under a system that he inherited and that has been in place for 40 years. Nevertheless, the office has pledged to work to fix the process.
Continue reading →

Calumet Township Assessment Notices Mailed

Calumet2018 assessment notices were mailed today by the Cook County Assessor’s office to homeowners in Calumet Township. If your home is in Calumet Township you have approximately one month to appeal your assessed value at the Assessor’s office, up to the deadline of July 2nd.

Calumet Township was reassessed in 2017 so a successful appeal in 2018 may result in two years of savings, until Calumet is reassessed in 2020. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment every year and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle. Others also recommend this approach.
Continue reading →

Assessment Notices Mailed to Stickney Township

StickneyTwnSealStickney Township 2018 assessment notices were mailed to homeowners by the Cook County Assessor’s office today. If your property is in Stickney Township you have 30 days to appeal your assessed value at the Assessor’s office, up to the deadline of June 22nd.

Stickney Township was reassessed in 2017 but even if you appealed last year you may appeal your assessment again this year. A successful appeal in 2018 may result in two years of savings, until Stickney is reassessed in 2020. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment every year and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle. Others also recommend this approach.
Continue reading →

Northfield Township Assessment Notices Mailed

NorthfieldAssessment notices for tax year 2018 have been mailed to property owners in Northfield Township. If your home is in Northfield Township you have one month to appeal your assessed value at the Assessor’s office until the deadline of June 21st.

Northfield Township was reassessed in 2016 but you may appeal your assessment every year. A successful appeal in 2018 will result in one year of savings, until Northfield is reassessed in 2019. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment annually and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle. Others also recommend this approach.
Continue reading →

Assessment Notices Mailed to Lyons Township

Lyons 1The Cook County Assessor’s office mailed 2018 assessment notices to Lyons Township property owners on Monday, May 14th. If your home is in Lyons Township you have 30 days to appeal your assessment at the Assessor’s office until the deadline of June 14th.

Lyons Township was reassessed in 2017 but you can appeal your assessment every year. A successful appeal in 2018 may result in two years of savings, until Lyons is reassessed in 2020. We recommend you review your assessment annually and appeal at the Assessor’s office and the Board of Review whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument. This is the best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes. Others also recommend this approach.
Continue reading →