Wheeling Township Assessor Offers Taxpayer Information and Assistance

The property tax process can seem overwhelming and for good reason. In Illinois, there are more than 8,500 taxing bodies, which is the highest of any state in the nation. In Wheeling Township, which is 36 square miles, there are approximately 55 taxing bodies that tax property owners. The average property owner in Wheeling Township pays real estate tax for between 10 and 15 of those taxing bodies. While this may seem daunting enough, consider that the taxpayer may also be impacted by the Cook County Assessor, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Board of Review, Property Tax Appeals Board, Circuit Court, Department of Revenue and the State – all of which play a part in the real estate property tax process.

How can the average homeowner navigate, manage, question and clarify information - much less impact and influence these agencies that are "working for them?" Enter the Township Assessor.

The Township Assessor role in Cook County is unique in the State since they do not assess property tax, but instead act as a taxpayer advocate focusing on the following:

Inform: Provides outreach and communications, as well as being available for questions in person, by phone or e-mail.

Navigate: Assist residents regarding which people and offices need to be contacted for various property-related issues.

Advocate: Provides guidance for property tax appeals and recommends comparable properties.

Empower: Guides and directs taxpayers who wish to identify, contact and communicate with the taxing bodies they fund.

Wheeling Township has more than $2 billion dollars of assessed value, which contributes significantly to alleviating the costs of all 55 taxing bodies in the area.

"Our office staff of experienced people understand the process and have empathy, since we are all property owners, taxpayers and neighbors," said Wheeling Township Assessor Ken Jochum. "Wheeling Township property taxpayers want to pay their fair share, but not overpay, so it's important that everyone understands, and is involved in the tax process."

Tax exemptions in effect for 2021 to be automatically renewed:

Homeowner, Senior (permanent auto-renew)

Senior Freeze, Persons and Veterans with Disabilities (2021 auto-renew)

2021 Auto Renew Exemptions:

Homeowners who recently turned 65 or were recently diagnosed with a disability will not receive applications for the senior or disabled exemptions in the mail and should apply now. The Wheeling Township Assessor's office is available to assist applications. Those born in 1956 or earlier who used their homes as a principal residence in 2021 are eligible for the Senior Citizen Exemption.

The Senior Freeze Exemption provides additional tax savings for low to moderate income seniors. To be eligible for this year's Senior Freeze, the combined income for all people in the household must have been less than $65,000 in calendar year 2020, and the senior must have been an owner-occupant of the property since January 1, 2020.

Please contact the Wheeling Township Assessor's Office with any questions by calling (847) 259-1515 or emailing Taxinfo@wheelingtownship.com.

The Township offices are located 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights.