BOARD OF REVIEW RE-OPENS FOR APPEALS
Responding to the latest property tax crisis, the Cook County Board of Review is open for appeals for all townships for Tax Year 2025, bills to be mailed 2026.
The Cook County Board of Review (Board) has opened all townships for appeals. As of December 3, the Board is accepting complaints from taxpayers that have not already submitted assessment complaints for Tax Year 2025.
Taxpayers whose townships are open for filing complaints should continue to file. Those taxpayers whose townships are yet to open are welcome to pre-file.
Given the hardship that is being caused by the 2024 2nd Installment tax bills, the Board of Review commissioners believe that taxpayers must be afforded every opportunity to make sure their taxable values are fair and accurate. To be clear, the Board’s decisions on complaints filed for Tax Year 2025 will be reflected on second-installment property tax bills issued in 2026. For Tax Year 2024, issues like missing exemptions and description errors must be addressed to the Cook County Assessor’s Office.
Taxpayers are encouraged to file an appeal on the Cook County Board of Review’s website or by calling (312) 603-5542. Taxpayers can also visit the Cook County Board of Review’s offices at 118, N. Clark St., Chicago, Il., 6th floor between 9 am and 5 pm.
Homeowners: Make sure you aren’t missing out on property tax savings
With the release of 2024 second installment tax bills from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, homeowners should check to make sure they are not missing property tax-saving exemptions.
Homeowners are encouraged to review the bottom left corner of the tax bill to confirm their exemption deductions. Most homeowners are eligible for the homeowner exemption, which saves approximately $950 dollars. Senior homeowners over 65 are likely eligible for additional property tax savings with the senior exemption.
Seniors and veterans may also be eligible for further exemptions such as the “Senior Freeze” and Veterans with Disabilities exemptions.
If a homeowner believes they are eligible for an exemption, they can apply for their missing property tax savings by completing a Certificate of Error application. The Certificate of Error process provides homeowners with an opportunity to redeem missing exemptions for the 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 tax years.
Homeowners are encouraged to submit an online application immediately or make an appointment to apply for missing exemptions. Accepted photo IDs and documents required to apply are listed on the Cook County Assessor’s website.
As a reminder, homeowners are responsible for paying tax bills to the Cook County Treasurer’s Office. If a homeowner paid the original amount due, they would receive a refund check from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office in the mail once the application is processed by the Assessor’s Office.
To learn more about missing exemptions, join a virtual workshop on Facebook or YouTube on the following dates:
- Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in English
- Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Spanish
To see a full list of available exemptions, visit the Cook County Assessor’s website.
Chicago Tribune: Cook County property tax bills will be mailed on Nov. 14.
After months of uncertainty and delay, Cook County officials announced Friday that property tax bills will be mailed on Nov. 14 and due by Dec. 15. Continue reading...
Bremen Township is open for appeals
Bremen Township is open for assessment complaints for the City of Oak Forest until November 21. Residents can provide additional documentation up to December 1.
Residents can pick-up appeal forms in the Clerk’s Office at City Hall. Need help completing your forms? Taxpayer Advocate Bardusk will accommodate as many requests as possible if made by November 17. Contact Bardusk at 708-444-4816 or gbardusk@oak-forest.org.
Cook County to host Virtual Property Tax Appeal Forum
Join Cook County Commissioner Larry Rogers Jr., on Monday, November 17 at 6 p.m. for a virtual property tax appeal forum for the taxpayers of Bremen Township, explaining the property tax appeal process and how to file at the Cook County Board of Review. There will be a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation followed by a Q and A session. Register at https://ow.ly/qH4m50XrWG3
Seniors: Be aware of two changes to Senior Freeze Exemption
Two recent property tax issues will affect senior residents in Oak Forest, but in very different ways. Please review the information below to learn more about the increase in the income eligibility threshold and the change in how the Senior Freeze will be calculated on your Second installment Tax Bill.
Illinois General Assembly increases income eligibility threshold for seniors
Lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly have expanded property tax relief for senior homeowners by raising the income eligibility threshold for the Senior Freeze Exemption.
The income threshold will ultimately increase to $79,000 in the tax year 2029. The current threshold is $65,000 and will increase to $75,000 in tax year 2026, which will be reflected on bills issued in 2027. The amount will increase to $77,000 in 2028 and finally $79,000 in 2029. Also, the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program will increase in line with the Senior Freeze changes.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Cook County Assessor’s Office at 312-443-7550 or Oak Forest Taxpayer Advocate Grace Bardusk at 708-444-4816 or gbardusk@oak-forest.org.
Cook County Assessor’s Office changes process to determine Senior Freeze Exemption
Recently, senior residents may have received a letter from the Cook County Assessor’s Office in regard to a change in your Senior Freeze Exemption savings. During the Assessor’s review, it was determined that the base year used to calculate the Senior Freeze savings was incorrect. In many cases, the base year was rolled over from a previous owner.
Going forward, the base year used to calculate the Senior Freeze Exemption will reflect the qualifying base year. This WILL affect your property tax bill. The change will be reflected on your Second Installment Tax Bill for the year 2024. At this time, it is unknown what the increase will be since the Second Installment Tax Bills have not been distributed yet.
To find out if you will be impacted by this change, please call the Bremen Township Assessor at 708-333-1591.