Board of Review Commissioners Announce the Opening of Leyden, North Chicago, South Chicago, West Chicago, Thornton, and Wheeling Townships for Property Tax Assessment Appeal Filing

Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr., Commissioner Michael M. Cabonargi, and Commissioner Dan Patlak announced today that the Cook County Board of Review is now open to accept property tax assessment appeals for Leyden, North Chicago, South Chicago, Thornton, West Chicago, and Wheeling Townships. Those taxpayers who own property within these townships and feel they have been over assessed have until Friday, January 20, 2012 to file an assessed valuation appeal with the Board of Review. Additionally, the Commissioners would like to remind those taxpayers who own property within Lake, Lyons, and Worth Townships that the deadline to file an assessed valuation appeal with the Board of Review is Wednesday, December 28, 2011. Townships will open for filing at the Board of Review on a rolling basis until all appeals affecting the 2011 assessments of real estate in all townships of Cook County have been heard. Property owners must submit an appeal within the filing period assigned to each township where the property is located. Appeals may only be filed for the 2011 tax year. The Board of Review is a three member board comprised of Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr., Commissioner Michael Cabonargi, and Commissioner Dan Patlak. This Board provides property owners with the opportunity to appeal excessive property tax assessments at no cost. There are several grounds to appeal, including, but not limited to: comparable properties nearby have been assessed at lower values; there is a factual error in the description of the property or mathematical error computing the assessment; the property has sustained damage caused by fire, flood, or other casualty or has been wholly or partly demolished; there is an extended vacancy in a rental property; or the property was recently purchased for less than the fair market value indicated by the assessment. The Board of Review does not assess property, set tax rates, or collect taxes. There is no fee to file an appeal, and in most cases an attorney is not necessary. Board of Review complaint forms can be obtained at the Board of Review Office, in the Cook County Building, located at 118 N. Clark, Room 601, Chicago, IL 60602. They may also be found and filed through the Board of Review website at: www.cookcountyboardofreview.com. For further information about appealing your property taxes you may contact the Board of Review Office at (312) 603-5542. Office hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.