Resources offered for understanding property assessments
Many Lake County residents have received their property assessments notices in the mail. The Lake County Chief County Assessment Office provides a number of resources and tools to assist with evaluating your assessment. Once you receive your assessment notice, it is important to review and evaluate your valuation.
Follow these steps:
Ÿ Review all of the information on the assessment notice.
Ÿ Visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov to review assessment information, including property characteristics, comparable property information, and the e-filing process.
Ÿ Discuss any questions on your assessment value or property information with your township assessor’s office.
Ÿ If an assessment appeal is in order, prepare evidence by using the Lake County Comparable Grid at assessor.lakecountyil.gov, and other materials such as appraisals, or sales documents.
Ÿ Complete an assessment appeal form (by paper, or electronically using the e-filing system) and submit with supporting evidence to the Lake County Board of Review by the prescribed deadline.
Ÿ You can attend the hearing in person or by telephone, or submit case materials and ask the board of review to decide the case based on the evidence provided. This is the most efficient mode for an assessment appeal. Most cases can be resolved without in-person or telephone hearings, particularly cases based upon a recent purchase or those based upon an appraisal provided by an Illinois licensed provider.
If you have trouble with any of these steps, help is available. The property tax assessment process is complex and Lake County residents have several resources available to them as they navigate the process.
Chief County Assessment Officer Marty Paulson explained, “We have worked very hard to provide opportunities for assistance for anyone who needs it. One-on-one assistance is available and I encourage anyone who has questions about their property assessments to attend a help center, stop by or call us.”
Ÿ Website Resources: Utilize all of the web tools and resources at the Chief County Assessment Office and Board of Review websites: Assessor.lakecountyil.gov and Boardofreview.lakecountyil.gov.
Ÿ 2013 Help Centers: Residents will work one-on-one with a member of the Chief County Assessment Office staff for personal assistance with evaluating their property assessment. For times and locations, visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov/Board-Of-Review/Documents/2013%20Help%20Centers.pdf.
Ÿ Taxpayer Advocates: New this year. Taxpayer Advocates are available at the Chief County Assessment Office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling (847) 377-2050, or visiting the office, 415 Washington St., Level E Suite 201, Waukegan.
Ÿ Online Appeal: Assessment appeals can now be filed electronically using the Board of Review E-Filing system: assessor.lakecountyil.gov/Board-Of-Review/Pages/Online-Appeal-Filing. aspx.
Ÿ Lake County Maps Online: Additional parcel information is available on the interactive mapping application at maps.lakecountyil.gov/mapsonline.
Ÿ Frequently Asked Questions: Visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov/Board-Of-Review/Pages/NeedToKnowInformation.aspx.
For additional resources, visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov.