While the northern parts of Cook County were ravaged by reassessment in 2025, the Cook County Assessor’s Office (CCAO) and the Cook County Treasurer’s Office experienced their own problems. In an effort to streamline the arcane property tax process in Cook County, there have been measures throughout the past decade to join computer systems between the two governmental agencies. Unfortunately for the agencies and taxpayers, there have been several computer errors since May that have caused a litany of problems across the county. While this story is still ongoing, we will explore why this is happening and what consequences have occurred and will keep occurring to the people of Cook County. Currently, home values are being passed out across the county and the window to protest property values is open in some townships while shutting in other ones. While this is happening, taxpayers can expect their tax bills to be... Read More

When the Cook County reassessment was announced, Northfield was one of the primary targets. Along with the likes of Elk Grove, New Trier, and Maine, Northfield was set to feel the inquisitive gaze of the Cook County Assessor’s Office (CCAO). The people of northern Cook County held their collective breath, hoping that they would not see the infamous numbers that hit other parts of Chicago in 2023. While there were no 700% value rises to be found, the increases handed out by CCAO were substantial. Elk Grove saw an increase of 26% to the home value totals, while Evanston saw 30%. Maine, the most recent northern township to be assessed, experienced a rise of 25%. Northfield has now been fully assessed, and it has fared about the same. Home values increased 30%, while businesses suffered an increase of 28%. But now that reassessment is finally done, now is the time... Read More

Batavia Township is quickly becoming one of the top suburban areas of the Chicago area. Offering a calm atmosphere and rural flair to people looking to escape the urban sprawl of Chicago, Batavia Township has plenty to offer those looking to live, work, or play in one of the most competitive housing markets in America. Firmly established in the collar county of Kane, it seems that Batavia is destined to grow every year, in both residential areas and in businesses. Batavia may not have the insane property values seen in Cook County, but thanks to the notorious policies of Illinois, it still suffers some of the highest property taxes around. While legislation to fix various property tax problems across Illinois is dead in the water, taxpayers still have the option of property tax appeals to ensure they are paying their fair share. The deadline for Batavia Township, August 4, 2025,... Read More

Much of McHenry County is in a state of flux. As one of Chicago’s collar counties, McHenry is both independent and influenced by what happens in Cook County. Out of all the townships, Richmond is one of the areas that is closer to its roots. Loaded with rural charm, Richmond Township has a lot of small town grace to go along with plenty of scenery. Richmond Township may be a quiet place to live, but every property owner must still deal with the epidemic of Illinois’ constantly rising property taxes and values, which are only amplified by being close to Cook County. Whether it is Richmond Township or anywhere else in Illinois, the only option available to those looking for lower property taxes is to file a tax appeal. There is only a short window every year in which residents can pursue a property tax protest, one that will shut... Read More

Cursed with the second-highest property taxes in the United States, the people of Illinois know that it’s a gamble when another reassessment of their property arrives. As one of the many counties surrounding the Chicago area, McHenry County gets to experience the out-of-control values and taxes first-hand. While they are thankfully outside of the bizarro world of Cook County, there is still plenty of spill-over that crosses the border. As more people flee Cook County for the surrounding collar counties, they bring higher property values with them. Chemung Township may be a good ways from Chicago, but even they are beginning to experience some bloat in their values and taxes. Though the official reassessment of Illinois is not until 2027, the Chemung Township Assessor is still actively examining all property and adjusting assessed numbers for supposed fair market value. As these climb, so do possible tax burdens. The people of... Read More