Second-Installment Property Tax Bills to be Mailed on Time for Second Consecutive Year

Cook County officials today announced that 1.6 million second-installment property tax bills will be mailed to residents on time for the second consecutive year.

Property tax bills are expected to arrive in mail boxes around July 1.

“We said last year that this would become the norm, it was not an anomaly,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.  “Getting the bills out on time will allow municipalities and school districts, that rely on property taxes for funding, to save millions of dollars. It also benefits library districts, park districts and taxpayers who will not have to borrow to meet their budgets.  None of this would be possible without the continued collaboration between County agencies.”

The second-installment tax bill process involves several government agencies, including the Assessor’s Office, the Board of Review, the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Clerk’s Office.

In the past, the failure to mail the bills on time has cost school districts millions due to the loss of interest income and the need to issue tax anticipation warrants to manage operations and salaries.  Late tax bills also have forced taxpayers to budget for two bills being mailed close together.

“Tax bills will once again be mailed on time this year due to the collaborative effort of all county offices,” Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios said.  “It is critical that homeowners review the bills to ensure their exemptions appear and if an exemption is missing, they may contact my office to receive an adjusted, lowered bill. Our web site, www.cookcountyassessor.com, has a wealth of exemption and assessment information for taxpayers.”

After the Cook County Board of Review received the 2012 certified assessment it reviewed the appeals submitted to the agency and completed its work early, also contributing to the timely bills.

“This did not happen by accident. It was the result of a carefully conceived and well executed plan, said Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak. By working together we have established a norm for what was seemingly impossible for the previous 34 years, on time tax bills. Cook County taxpayers have a right to expect professional service from their elected officials. On time tax bills are an example of that professional service.

“For the past two consecutive years, in over three decades' time, property bills have been issued on time,” Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr. said. “This is a direct result of the commitment, dedication, and collaboration demonstrated by the commissioners and staff of the Board of Review, as well as with other property tax agencies. Moving forward, the Board of Review remains committed to continued efforts in efficiency and transparency to ensure that property owners pay no more than their fair share of property taxes.”

“For the second year in a row, schools, libraries and local governments directly benefit financially from Cook County and the Board of Review getting the second installment tax bills out on time,” Board of Review Commissioner Michael M. Cabonargi said. “Cook County and the Board of Review are doing more with less and bringing real value and service to Cook County taxpayers and residents.”

Cook County Clerk David Orr will release the 2012 Tax Rate Report on Tuesday, signaling the completion of a process that started last December when each taxing district filed its levy with the Clerk's office.

My office's role is to set the tax rates, the last and briefest step in a complicated process, Orr said. I know getting the bills out on time translates into savings for taxing bodies, so I'm pleased the taxing offices were able to meet that deadline again.