First installment property tax bills for tax year 2025 were mailed at the end of February. The first installment bill is 55% of a property’s total tax bill for the previous year, and will be due on April 1.
Ordinarily, first installment bills are due on March 1. Since last year’s second installment bills were not due until Dec. 15, however, Illinois lawmakers determined that having another tax bill due March 1 could cause hardship, and they decided to extend the due date to April 1. Next year, first installment bills should revert to the familiar March 1 due date.
Taxpayers should note that first installment bills will not reflect homeowner, senior citizen, or other exemptions, nor will they reflect the impact of successful assessment appeals filed for tax year 2025. Exemptions and successful appeals will instead appear on second installment bills, along with any changes in the tax levies of local governments. Second installment bills will likely be due in the summer or fall of 2026.
Property owners who do not have mortgage companies paying their taxes can make tax payments by mail or online at www.cookcountytreasurer.com. Those wishing to pay in person can do so at the Cook County Treasurer’s downtown office or at any Chase Bank in the Chicago area.
Ali ElSaffar
Oak Park Township assessor