On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Illinois Department of Revenue announced a final 2024 Cook County Equalization Factor of 3.0355.  This final 2024 Cook County Equalization Factor is 0.64% higher than the 2023 Cook County Equalization Factor of 3.0163.  The final 2024 Cook County Equalization Factor is 6.56% higher than the tentative 2024 Cook County […]
Continue Reading 2024 Cook County Final Multiplier or Equalization Factor Set

At Rieff Schramm Kanter & Guttman, we take pride in our long-standing commitment to serving not-for-profit and religious organizations throughout Illinois. One of the most meaningful ways we support these organizations is by helping them obtain exemptions from real estate taxation—ensuring that critical resources are directed toward their missions rather than toward tax obligations. Our […]
Continue Reading Securing Property Tax Exemptions for Charitable and Religious Organizations

Earlier this week, the Chicago Tribune reported that due to technological issues at the Cook County Assessor’s Office, second installment tax bills in Cook County will be delayed by at least one month from their usual August due dates, as has occurred in the past two tax years. This delay from the expected August 1, […]
Continue Reading Cook County Second Installment Tax Bills’ due date to be delayed by at least one month

Rieff Schramm Kanter & Guttman (RSKG) is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished attorneys, Donald Rubin and James Chipman, to our legal team. Both Don and Jim bring decades of deep experience and respected reputations in the field of real estate tax law, further strengthening our firm’s commitment to providing exceptional service and […]
Continue Reading RSKG Welcomes Donald Rubin and James Chipman to the Firm

In early March, 2025, the Cook County Assessor’s Office announced that property tax exemption applications for the 2024 tax year (second installment payments due in August, 2025) are now available online at https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions.  Exemptions create savings that lower a homeowner’s property tax bill.  Taxpayer’s should verify whether or not they are receiving appropriate exemptions by […]
Continue Reading Cook County Exemption Applications are Now Available and the 2025 Triennial Reassessments

The 2024 first installment bills have issued on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 and will be due on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.  If you have not received your first installment 2024 tax bill, you can go on the Cook County Treasurer’s website – www.cookcountytreasurer.com, click on Payment Details (purple box) and type in your Property Index […]
Continue Reading Cook County 2024 First Installment Tax Bills Have Issued

As the Chicago Bear’s disappointing 2025 season ended on Sunday, the Chicago Bears were at least successful in their pursuit of a property tax deal with Arlington Heights and local taxing districts.  During the middle of December, 2024, the Arlington Heights Village Board voted 8-0 to seal a deal to set the Chicago Bears’ real […]
Continue Reading Village of Arlington Heights and Taxing Districts Agree to Tax Bill with Bears

The Chicago Bears have had an eventful Thanksgiving week.  Prior to their loss on Thanksgiving to the Detroit Lions and their firing of their head coach on Friday, November 29th, the Chicago Bears, village of Arlington Heights and the local school districts agreed to a memorandum of understanding involving the amount of real estate taxes […]
Continue Reading Chicago Bears and Arlington Heights agree on a deal involving real estate taxes on the former site of the Arlington International Racecourse

The 2024 triennial assessments for all properties in Chicago have been released, revealing a staggering 30% increase in assessed values for properties in North Chicago Township, including those in Lincoln Park and along North Michigan Avenue. Cook County Assessor Kaegi has significantly raised the assessments and market valuations for hotel properties on the Magnificent Mile. […]
Continue Reading Skyrocketing 2024 Assessments for Properties on the Magnificent Mile

The Cook County Treasurer’s Office has reported a concerning statistic: only 95.1% of the property taxes billed for tax year 2023 have been collected as of September 1, 2024 which is a month after the payment due date for the second installment 2023 real estate taxes. This figure, though seemingly high, reveals a deeper issue […]
Continue Reading Cook County Tax Collections are at Highest Delinquency Since 2012

As a property owner, you may wonder why I often recommend obtaining an appraisal when considering a real estate tax appeal for your owner-occupied property. This is particularly important if you operate a business from the property. Here are three compelling reasons why securing an appraisal is essential for a successful tax appeal. 1. Compliance […]
Continue Reading Why Property Owners Should Invest in an Appraisal for Property Tax Appeals

In 2024, southern townships of Cook County have been hit with the most significant property tax increases in nearly three decades.  The second installment of the 2023 real estate tax bills, due on August 1, 2024, showed a median increase of almost 20%, with some areas experiencing hikes exceeding 30%.  These soaring taxes could force […]
Continue Reading South Suburban Properties Struggle With Effects of Significantly Higher Property Tax Increases

The second installment 2023 tax bill will be due for all Cook County property owners and taxpayers on Thursday, August 1, 2024.  Periodically, we like to inform taxpayers of the myriad of options they have to pay their property taxes. Many property owners escrow their real estate taxes and authorize mortgage companies to pay their […]
Continue Reading Methods on How to Pay Your Property Tax Bill