For more detailed information including Illinois law references, please see the Department of Revenue web site.
The property tax is the largest single tax in Illinois, and is a major source of tax revenue for local government taxing districts. Every person and business in Illinois is affected by property taxes — whether by paying the tax or receiving services or benefits that are paid for by property taxes.
Property tax is a tax that is based on a property’s value, sometimes called an “ad valorem” tax, which means “according to value.” It is a local tax imposed by local government taxing districts (e.g., school districts, municipalities, counties) and administered by local officials (e.g., township assessors, chief county assessment officers, local boards of review, county collectors).
Property taxes are collected and spent at the local level. In Illinois, the property tax is imposed on the value of real property (typically land, buildings, and permanent fixtures) owned. Illinois does not have a state property tax. Local assessment officials are the resource for specific factual information about property taxes. |
