This issue of Wednesday Journal contains a 56-page supplement of the Real Estate Assessment List for Oak Park Township. The listing contains Property Index Numbers, street names, addresses and the proposed assessment values recently mailed to Oak Park Township taxpayers. Our office is dedicated to increasing ethics, fairness and transparency in our work. As your Cook County assessor, I hope you find this information helpful.
The Cook County Assessor’s Office (CCAO) is required to assess one-third of the properties located in the county each year to determine fair market values. Under state and county law, assessed value (AV) for residential property is 10 percent of market value and the AV for industrial/commercial property is 25 percent of market value.
Our office does not compute your property tax bill, collect your property taxes, or determine your local tax rate. We also do not determine the amount of taxes you are required to pay. In reality, local taxing bodies such as school districts and municipalities determine tax rates, levies, and the overall amount of your taxes. The AV my office sets does determine the share of taxes you are required to pay. Therefore, it is very important to make sure it is both fair and accurate.
On my first day in office, I signed an executive order aimed at increasing professionalism, transparency and public trust in the county assessor’s office as well as eliminating conflicts of interest.
Our office created new residential and commercial modeling processes to deliver high-quality reassessments. Reports for each reassessed township containing methodology and formulas for the new values are posted on the assessor’s office website at www.cookcountyassessor.com. This new system for publishing and updating code will allow you to monitor the work of our office and even suggest changes to our methods that may improve accuracy.
To further increase transparency, we also implemented a visitor’s log that is updated monthly and posted on our website. We also issued a set of official rules for doing business with the office and developed a new policy where the identity of an attorney, practitioner or law firm is now kept anonymous from the valuations analyst handling an appeal.
Our office also invited the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) to conduct a complete audit of the office in order to improve our operations and develop a three-year strategic plan.
In addition, our outreach efforts have been expanded, including the launch of a countywide listening tour where I have teamed up with Cook County commissioners to travel throughout the county to share plans for reform and answer questions. Please visit our website at cookcountyassessor.com to find an event near you.
If after reviewing this publication, you feel your property is over-assessed, I encourage you to file an appeal. No one knows your property better than you do. In addition, please consult our website or our office to ensure you are receiving all the property tax exemptions for which you qualify.
Property owners who require additional assistance may call CCAO at 312-443-7550 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit any CCAO location.
Chicago office: 118 N. Clark St., Room 320, Chicago, IL 60602, 312-443-7550
Skokie office: 5600 Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60007, 847-470-7237
Bridgeview office: 10200 S. 76th Ave., Room 237, Bridgeview, IL 60455, 708-974-6451
Markham office: 16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Room 237, Markham, IL 60426, 708-232-4100
Detailed assessment and exemption information may also be found by visiting the assessor’s website located at www.cookcountyassessor.com.
