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The Township Assessor
The Township Assessor might more accurately be called an appraiser. The Assessor does not levy a tax, but rather places a value on (assesses) all property for tax purposes, appraising it at its fair market value.
The County Clerk compiles a list of all lands and lots to be assessed, including those which are taxable, or which have become taxable for the first time. These lists are conveyed to the Township Assessors through the office of the Chief County Assessment Officer.
The Assessor must then determine the market value of all taxable property, and assess that property at one-third of its market value. Township assessors use the same principles, techniques and methodologies as those employed by fee appraisers with only slight variations to accommodate the uniformity criteria of the statutes. The ultimate purpose of the assessed value is to apportion the tax burden, as established by the taxing bodies, over all property in a fair and equitable manner based on the value of the real estate.
Under Illinois law, several programs designed to provide property tax relief are available to homeowners. We have prepared this guide to familiarize you with these programs, and to answer the most frequently asked questions. We have provided definitions of terms which are often used in discussing property taxes.
As you will learn, eligibility requirements vary widely among these programs, and you should review each program’s qualifications carefully.
The staff in the Township Assessor’s office will be happy to provide additional information, and we encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about these programs.
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