In Cook County, all properties- residential, commercial, and industrial – are reassessed every three years. This triennial reassessment ensures that property values reflect current market conditions and that each property owner pays their fair share of property taxes based on the property’s estimated value.

The reassessment determines the assessed value of each property, which is a key factor in calculating property tax bills. Once new values are established, they are combined with local tax levies, exemptions, appeals, and assessments of comparable properties to determine the amount each property owner will owe. Several Cook County offices play a role in this process:

  • The Cook County Assessor’s Office evaluates property values

  • The Board of Review handles assessment appeals

  • The Cook County Clerk calculates tax rates

  • The Cook County Treasurer issues and collects tax bills

In addition to assessing property, the Assessor’s Office works with other government agencies to support economic development, affordable housing initiatives, tax relief programs, and efforts to make the property tax system more equitable.


Cook County Townships

Cook County is divided into 30 townships, organized into three reassessment regions: North/Northwest Suburbs, South/Southwest Suburbs, and the City of Chicago.

Each township government provides essential services such as road maintenance and building permits. These services are primarily funded through property tax revenue. Some townships also offer additional community programs, including mental health services, social support initiatives, and recreational facilities that are all supported by local property taxes.

In 2025, the North/Northwest Suburbs are scheduled for reassessment.

North and Northwest Suburbs

The townships of Barrington, Elk Grove, Evanston, Hanover, Leyden, Maine, New Trier, Niles, Northfield, Norwood Park, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Wheeling all fall into the north suburbs grouping.

Some cities in the north and northwest suburbs are split between multiple townships. While others are fully contained within a single township.

If you’re uncertain of which township your city is in, here are a few cities that are located within the 13 north/northwest suburban townships:

  • Barrington Township – includes Barrington (in town), Barrington Hills, South Barrington, East Dundee (north side), Inverness (west side), Hoffman Estates (northwest side)
  • Elk Grove Township – includes Elk Grove Village
  • Evanston Township – includes Evanston
  • Hanover Township – includes Streamwood (west side), Bartlett, Hanover Park (west side), Hoffman Estates (west side)
  • Leyden Township – includes Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Northlake (north side), River Grove, Elmwood Park, and Melrose Park (north side)
  • Maine Township – includes Des Plaines (east side), Park Ridge (north side), and Niles (west side)
  • New Trier Township – includes Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth, and Wilmette
  • Niles Township – includes Niles (east side), Golf, Morton Grove (east side), Skokie, and Lincolnwood
  • Northfield Township – includes Northbrook, Deerfield, and Glenview
  • Norwood Park Township – includes Norridge and Harwood Heights
  • Palatine Township – includes Inverness (east side), Palatine, Rolling Meadows (north side), Deer Park, and Hoffman Estates (northeast side)
  • Schaumburg Township – includes Roselle, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Hanover Park (east side)
  • Wheeling Township – includes Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect (north side), and Prospect Heights

Appealing Your Illinois Property Taxes

Appealing your property taxes is one way to ensure that the amount you pay is fair whether you live in the north/northwest suburbs, south/southwest suburbs, or in the City of Chicago.

KSN can handle your property tax appeal from start to finish. There is no fee unless a reduction is obtained and we only charge a small portion of the overall tax savings secured.

Since 2015, we’ve saved Illinois property owners over $150 million in reduced property taxes.

Questions about our property tax appeal services? Contact us by calling 847-537-0500 or by visiting www.ksnlaw.com/tax-appeal.

Contact KSN today to discuss your community association, residential, or commercial property tax appeal. Tax Attorney Timothy Jacobs can be reached at 847-777-7270 or tjacobs@ksnlaw.com.

Since 1983, KSN has been a legal resource for condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations. Additionally, we represent clients in real estate transactions, collections, landlord/tenant issues, and property tax appeals. We represent thousands of clients and community associations throughout the US with offices in several states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

 

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