Lake County Reassessment
Along with the rest of Illinois, Lake County will experience reassessment in 2027. This is when the assessor closely reviews every piece of real estate in the county, valuing each against the current real estate market. In general, reassessment has always led to value and tax increases. With Lake County already having the highest property taxes in Illinois, this can only lead to higher levies. While 2027 is still some time away, Grant Township property owners can still expect increases in taxes thanks to changing tax rates and the equalization factor. This is why property tax reduction should be an annual focus for both homeowners and businesses.
Lowering Home and Business Taxes
Property tax bills and rates generally cannot be protested or directly reduced, but the taxable values used to calculate those bills can be challenged. The assessor determines market value, how much they believe a property would sell for on the open market, by studying sales records dating back three years. The market value is then multiplied by the assessment ratio of 33.33%, creating the assessed value. Finally, the equalization factor is applied, creating the equalized assessed value (EAV). EAV is used to create tax bills. Most reduction techniques focus on either EAV or market value.
Exemptions:
Like the rest of Illinois, Grant Township residents can use several exemptions to cut their property tax burden. These usually reduce the EAV, such as the homestead exemption, which reduces EAV by $8,000. There are other options, such as those for seniors, the disabled, or certain veterans. Every eligible resident should ensure that they are receiving all exemptions for which they qualify.
Property Tax Appeals:
These directly challenge the values determined by the assessor, usually targeting market value. Since these protests can catch errors in assessment, such as overassessment or a lack of uniformity, they can have a tremendous impact on both current and future tax bills. Many issues have gone undiscovered for years and have created a compounding problem.
Grant Township Property Tax Appeals Bring Relief
While most pundits and tax experts focus on Chicago and Cook County, Lake County has the highest property taxes in Illinois. This is because the entire area serves as an escape from the urban landscape of Chicago. Grant Township standouts because its rural atmosphere and abundant natural surroundings provide the perfect counterbalance to city life. Combined with its convenient commute to Chicago, these qualities give Grant township the best of both worlds. This demand is the primary reason for the significant increases in property values.
Property tax appeals in Illinois operate under strict deadlines, and those outside of Cook County have fewer options. This is because there is a single deadline to file an appeal, as opposed to the two in Cook. For Lake County and Grant Township, this can be especially arduous due to the high property values and taxes. Since successful appeals require evidence, residents must gather all necessary documentation. This includes sales records, assessments, and more. If the taxpayer fails to file within 30 days after their notice of assessment is published, they will miss the opportunity to appeal for an entire year.
First installment of property taxes due: June 4, 2026
Second installment of property taxes: September 4, 2026
BOR appeal deadline: September 14, 2026
O’Connor Brings Premium Research and Evidence
The most important factors in a successful appeal is the amount and quality of evidence presented. While it might be nice to simply ask for a reduction, the appeal must have both valid grounds and supporting evidence to be successful. If a property tax assessment is challenged for being too high, then the taxpayer must provide three years’ worth of property sales that demonstrate what the fair market value is. In cases involving an unequal appraisal, assessments for several comparable properties may need to be gathered. In either case, these comparable properties should share key characteristics with the subject property, such as size, age, and location.
We at O’Connor are here to help you by providing the best evidence possible. We start by using data-intensive techniques to study your assessment, looking for any issues that would require an appeal. We then begin gathering evidence to support the appeal, consulting our proprietary databases to find the best possible comparable properties. Once all of the evidence is analyzed and verified, we will coordinate an appeal with a local law firm that has years of experience with property tax issues. You will never be charged upfront for evidence or analysis, and you will only pay if your taxes are lowered. Enrollment takes only three minutes and can reduce the hassle of one of the hardest parts of the process.
