LANSING, Ill. (August 21, 2023) – As many local residents grapple with questions about their property tax reassessments, The offices of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Thornton Township Assessor Cassandra Elston have organized a series of workshops in collaboration with local municipalities to help clarify the process and answer questions.
A Lansing workshop was scheduled for early this month, though an unforeseen circumstance forced its cancellation. Lansing residents are invited to attend any of the events listed below.
Residents can view their property reassessments at the Cook County Assessor’s website by entering their PIN or address. Note that some properties have more than one PIN.
According to a press release from the Cook County Assessor’s Office, “An increase in a property’s assessment does not cause the same increase in the property owner’s taxes.”
Workshop calendar
“We’re talking about the reassessments and how property values are determined. We’ll talk about when and how to file an appeal, and the Board of Review. We’ll also mention tax saving exemptions,” Elston told The Lansing Journal about the upcoming workshops.
Tuesday, August 22, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Police Training Center, 24 State Street, Calumet City
- Hosted by Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones and the city council, with guest speakers Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor, and Cassandra Elston, Thornton Township Assessor
Wednesday, August 23, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: South Suburban College, Kindig Performing Arts Center, 15800 S. State Street, South Holland
- Hosted by South Holland Mayor Don DeGraff and village trustees, with guest speakers Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor, and Cassandra Elston, Thornton Township Assessor
Thursday, August 24, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Dolton Park District, Ember Room, 14700 Evers Street, Dolton
- Hosted by Dolton Park District Board President Cleo Jones, with guest speakers Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor, and Cassandra Elston, Thornton Township Assessor
Monday, August 28, 6:30 p.m. (ENGLISH)
- Location: Our Lady of Knock Social Center, 501 163rd Street, Calumet City
- Hosted by Father Luis Valerio, Jesus Shepard of Souls, with guest speaker Cassandra Elston, Thornton Township Assessor
Tuesday, August 29, 6:30 p.m. (SPANISH)
- Location: Our Lady of Knock Social Center, 501 163rd Street, Calumet City
- Guest speaker Cassandra Elston, Thornton Township Assessor, and Oscar Canales, translator
Appeal information
Local residents who feel their property tax reassessment is inaccurate can file an appeal with the Cook County Assessor’s Office or the Cook County Board of Review — or both. Both public bodies have a process in place to re-examine property assessments, and can adjust errant assessments.
Cook County Assessor appeals
Lansing residents living south of 186th Street are in Bloom Township, and the window to appeal their reassessments with the Cook County Assessor closed on July 26.
For residents in Thornton Township, the window to file an appeal is open through September 5, 2023. Residents can do so for free on the Cook County Assessor’s website.
According to the site: “A good rule of thumb is this: If the property characteristics on [your reassessment notice] are correct and the estimated market value is within 10 percent of what you think your home is worth then it is unlikely that an appeal would change your property’s assessed value enough to significantly affect its property tax bill.”
Cook County Board of Review
The Cook County Board of Review is another option for residents to appeal their property reassessments.
According to a representative from the Board of Review office, dates have not yet been released for when the appeal filing period will open, but they will be announced soon at cookcountyboardofreview.com. Residents can also call 312-603-5542 for updated information.
Elston said her office will be hosting a Board of Review appeals seminar in the Kindig Performing Arts Center at South Suburban College on October 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Related
- Local Voices: How to appeal your taxes for free (July 19, 2023)
