Property Tax Assistance

Assessor

Alida E. Nally, CIAO

alida.nally@northfieldtownship.com

Property Tax Exemptions 2024 Applications Now Available

Property tax exemption applications for 2024 (property taxes paid in 2025) are now available online at: cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions. Property tax exemptions appear on your second installment property tax bill.

The Cook County Assessor’s Office administers property tax exemptions that may contribute to lowering your property tax bill. Exemptions reduce the equalized assessed value (EAV) or taxed value of a home.

Homeowner Exemption and Senior Exemption (65 or older) will continue to automatically renew this year. If you had either of these exemptions in 2023, they should auto-renew unless notified.

Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (65 or older and 2023 gross household income $65,000 or less), homeowners must re-apply each year. If you had the “Senior Freeze” last year, you should receive a renewal application within the next few weeks.

Persons with Disabilities, Veteran’s with Disabilities, World War II Veteran’s (new in 2024) and other exemptions all have their own rules for applying and renewing.

For a complete list of exemptions and qualifications you can visit: cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions.

Northfield Township can assist residents with their exemption applications. You can contact our office with questions or make a telephone or in-person appointment for assistance.

To review what exemptions your property had in 2023 and prior years, visit cookcountyassessor.com and enter your 14-digit property index number (PIN) or address on the home page and select: Exemption History and Status.

If a homeowner was eligible for property tax exemptions in tax years 2023, 2022, and/or 2021 and the exemption was not applied to the paid property tax bill, a refund can be obtained through the Certificate of Error process.

As Northfield Township Assessor, my office acts as your property tax advocate and liaison with Cook County agencies to help ensure your property taxes are equitable. The Cook County Assessor is responsible for estimating the market value of your property for assessment purposes which, along with exemptions, helps determine your share of property taxes owed.

“My office is here to serve the property owners of Northfield Township. As a member of the community, it is a responsibility I care deeply about.”

Please Note: We encourage residents to make an appointment to ensure that Assessor Staff is available to assist them. Please call 847-724-8300 x 2 or email: propertytaxhelp@northfieldtownship.com to make an appointment.

Schedule a Property Tax Tune-Up

  • Is your property assessed equitably?
  • Are you getting all the property tax exemptions you qualify for?
  • What other property tax saving programs might be helpful?

Please contact Assessor Nally and her staff at: 847-724-8300 x2 or propertytaxhelp@northfieldtownship.com.

What’s Happening

Cook County Treasurer mails first installment property tax bills to 1.8 million owners

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has mailed nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2024 First Installment property tax bills. Payments are due March 4, 2025.

The First Installment is 55% of the previous year’s total tax. Exemptions that can reduce a property owner’s taxes are applied to the Second Installment.

To make a payment online, visit cookcountytreasurer.com and follow these steps:
• Select the blue box labeled “Pay Online for Free.”
• Enter your address or 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN).

A picture of your property should appear so you’ll know you’re paying the correct bill. There is no fee to pay online from your bank account.

Cook County Treasurer mails first installment property tax bills to 1.8 million owners

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has mailed nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2024 First Installment property tax bills. Payments are due March 4, 2025.

The First Installment is 55% of the previous year’s total tax. Exemptions that can reduce a property owner’s taxes are applied to the Second Installment.

To make a payment online, visit cookcountytreasurer.com and follow these steps:
• Select the blue box labeled “Pay Online for Free.”
• Enter your address or 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN).

A picture of your property should appear so you’ll know you’re paying the correct bill. There is no fee to pay online from your bank account.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program

Amid growing concerns that increases in property tax bills are pushing senior citizens to leave their homes, Cook County Treasurer María Pappas reminded senior homeowners today of a state program that allows them to defer paying their property taxes.

The Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program allows property owners aged 65 or older to “borrow” money from the state to cover their property taxes. This program operates as a
loan with a simple annual interest rate of 3%, providing financial relief to eligible seniors.

“Our senior homeowners are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their taxes,” said Pappas. “This program can make the difference among staying in their home, falling behind on their taxes or selling their home.”

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program

Amid growing concerns that increases in property tax bills are pushing senior citizens to leave their homes, Cook County Treasurer María Pappas reminded senior homeowners today of a state program that allows them to defer paying their property taxes.

The Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program allows property owners aged 65 or older to “borrow” money from the state to cover their property taxes. This program operates as a
loan with a simple annual interest rate of 3%, providing financial relief to eligible seniors.

“Our senior homeowners are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their taxes,” said Pappas. “This program can make the difference among staying in their home, falling behind on their taxes or selling their home.”

Illinois Expands Property Tax Breaks for Veterans to Include World War II Vets
From the Cook County Treasurer’s Office:

Illinois lawmakers have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These amendments, effective for the 2024 tax year, underscore our commitment to supporting our veteran community.

The newly expanded legislation, Public Act 103-0596, amends the Illinois Property Tax Code to make veterans who served during World War II exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residences, regardless of their disability status. The new law also extends the benefit to unmarried, surviving spouses of World War II veterans, certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation due to service-connected death.

Illinois Expands Property Tax Breaks for Veterans to Include World War II Vets
From the Cook County Treasurer’s Office:

Illinois lawmakers have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These amendments, effective for the 2024 tax year, underscore our commitment to supporting our veteran community.

The newly expanded legislation, Public Act 103-0596, amends the Illinois Property Tax Code to make veterans who served during World War II exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residences, regardless of their disability status. The new law also extends the benefit to unmarried, surviving spouses of World War II veterans, certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation due to service-connected death.

Exemptions

The Cook County Assessor’s Office administers property tax exemptions that may contribute to lowering your property tax bill. These savings are reflected on the second-installment property tax bills.

For example, property tax savings for a Homeowner Exemption is calculated by multiplying the Homeowner Exemption amount of $10,000 by your annual local tax rate and a Senior Exemption by multiplying $8,000 by your local annual tax rate. These savings can add up!

For a complete list of exemptions, qualifications and to apply, visit: https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions. 

If you need additional assistance, my office is here to help.

Appeals

An appeal is intended to correct the accuracy of your property’s assessment. An increase (or decrease) in your home’s assessment does not lead to the same increase (or decrease) in your property taxes.

Cook County follows a triennial reassessment cycle, meaning that a determination of each property’s fair market value and corresponding assessed value occurs once every three years for assessment purposes. This new assessed value along with exemptions helps determine your share of property taxes owed.

Property owners have two annual 30-day windows to appeal their assessed value. Once with the Cook County Assessor, cookcountyassessor.com/appeals and then followed by the Cook County Board of Review, cookcountyboardofreview.com/appeals.

Further relief may be sought through the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) or the courts.

Here at Northfield Township, we can help review your assessment to be sure it is equitable and file an appeal if helpful.

Learn About Appeals

Property Tax Programs for Seniors

There are exemptions and programs available to help Senior Citizens with their property taxes.

  • Senior Citizen Exemption must be 65 or older and be your primary residence. This exemption reduces your tax bill by $8,000 x current tax rate each year. https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions
  • Senior Freeze Exemption must be 65 or older, be your primary residence and have gross household income of $65,00 or less. This exemption “freezes” holds steady your assessed value not your property tax bill. https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions
  • Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral is a tax-relief program that works like a loan. It allows qualified seniors to defer up to $7,500 per tax year on their primary residence. The loan is from the State of Illinois and is paid back when the property is sold, or upon the death of the participant. Participant must be 65 or older, be your primary residence and have gross household income of $65,000 of less. For more information and additional requirements visit https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/theseniorcitizenrealestatetaxdeferralprogram.aspx

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or assistance in applying for any of these programs.

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