For most Oak Park taxpayers, the recently released second installment property tax bills represent an annual tax increase of about 4.5% compared to last year’s bills. But the delay in issuing the bills has led to some important consequences.
While suffering from cabin fever during Saturday’s storm of snow, I penned some poetic paragraphs, which appear below:
Why are the tax bills tardy?
The Cook County Mainframe is from ’88
For decades its handling of taxes was great
But they could not find parts to keep the thing humming
So the Mighty Mainframe is no longer running.
The new system is “Tyler” and it now holds sway
But its work for the county has seen much delay
Replacing the Mainframe was viewed as a cinch
Yet bills in December are more like the Grinch.
We hope that these changes are finally complete
And this year’s late tax bills will never repeat.
This year, the Oak Park appeal period ended in August, well before tax bills were mailed. Accordingly, taxpayers may be confused to find that they can again file appeals with the Cook County Board of Review.
Appeals Awakened
It’s easy to see why folks are confused
After this summer’s deadline, appeals were refused
But post-appeal mailing of bills is unjust
So the Board said reopening appeals is a must.
Taxpayers from Oak Park and surrounding suburbs may file in the reopened appeal period between December 3 and 12. Oak Park residents who want help filing an appeal can call the Oak Park Township Assessor’s office at 708-383-8005 to set up an appointment.
Successful 2025 appeals, whether they were filed in the summer or in December, will appear on tax bills in the second half of 2026. Results from these appeals will be issued at some time after the December appeal period closes.
Many residents pay their property taxes through an escrow account that is part of their monthly mortgage payment. Typically, mortgage companies set tax escrow payments based on the current year’s taxes. Late tax bills, however, mean that many companies have had to estimate this year’s taxes when setting escrows.
Mortgages Mistaken
My lender created an escrow
That was based on taxes unknown
Their guess was too high
My bill hit the sky
And now I can’t pay what I owe.
The Assessor’s Office is available to help taxpayers review their tax escrow statements to check for errors and possibly reduce the monthly payment.
Ordinarily, first installment tax bills are due on March 1, and second installment bills are due Aug. 1. But since this year’s second installment due date is Dec. 15, the next due date has been postponed.
March Due Dates Delayed
Mid-December to March is not long to wait
To pay two tax bills that carry much freight
The taxpayers were given a one-month delay
And bills are now due on April Fool’s Day.
The April 1 due date for first installment tax bills will be for 2026 only.
Sticker Shock Fears Allayed
Last year’s second installment bills were the first to reflect Oak Park’s 2023 reassessment. There was great variability in tax changes due to the reassessment, with 35% of taxpayers seeing tax reductions while 39% saw double-digit increases. Since this year’s tax bills do not reflect a reassessment, the tax changes are more uniform and stable.
Why did most tax bills increase by 4.5%?
The primary reason relates to higher local tax levies. The taxing districts that serve Oak Park levied a combined $264 million this year, an increase of 3.3% over last year.
Some taxpayers filed appeals last year and saw their taxes decline. But whenever one property pays less due to an appeal, the taxes of the other properties pay a little more to ensure that local governments receive the full amount of their tax levies. The result is that most tax increases this year are about a point higher than the levy increases.
Is there anything I can do to reduce my current tax bill?
If you are eligible for a homeowner, senior citizen or disability exemption but did not receive one, the Township Assessor’s Office can assist you in obtaining a revised bill for a smaller amount. If you received all exemptions for which you are eligible, however, you likely will not be able to reduce your current bill.
This tally of ills from late bills is now done. I hope you found my tax story fun!