How do I pay my property taxes?

County Treasurer / County Collector (county level - each of Illinois's 102 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Note: Illinois property taxes are paid IN ARREARS - 2024 taxes are paid in 2025; 2025 taxes paid in 2026, etc.
Locate your tax bill: Illinois property tax bills are mailed by the County Treasurer/Collector in two installments annually
Review your bill for the correct amount, PIN (Property Index Number), and due dates
Choose your payment method: in person at the County Treasurer's office, by mail, or online through your county's payment portal
Pay by the installment due dates - due dates vary significantly by county but typically:
COOK COUNTY: First installment due March 1 (estimated at 55% of prior year); Second installment due August/September (varies annually based on when tax rates are set)
OTHER COUNTIES: Typically two installments - often June and September, or similar schedule; verify with your specific county
Retain receipt as proof of payment

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Property tax bill or PIN (Property Index Number)
Payment (cash, check, money order, or card - varies by county; online portals common; card convenience fees common)

Online Option

Most Illinois counties offer online payment through the County Treasurer website; Cook County: cookcountytreasurer.com; other counties: search "[County Name] County Treasurer Illinois property tax"

Where to Go

County Treasurer / County Collector's office (address in your v2 county data)

County-specific variations apply

Cook County has a unique two-installment system with the first installment estimated at 55% of the prior year's bill (mailed December, due March 1) and the second based on actual certified rates. Outstate counties vary widely in installment timing and due dates. Cook County online payment: cookcountytreasurer.com. Contact your specific county treasurer for due dates and payment options.

Illinois Notes

Important state-specific details

Illinois taxes paid IN ARREARS - 2025 taxes due in 2026; when buying a home, you typically receive a credit at closing for the seller's portion of unpaid prior-year taxes.
Illinois has the SECOND HIGHEST property tax rates nationally (behind New Jersey) - understanding exemptions is critical.
KEY EXEMPTIONS (apply at County Assessor; reduce your EAV before calculating taxes):
Homeowner Exemption: reduces EAV by $10,000 (most counties); Cook County: $10,000 EAV reduction
Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption: additional $8,000 EAV reduction for qualifying seniors 65+
Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze: income under $65,000 - freezes EAV at a base year; annual renewal required
Persons with Disabilities Exemption: $2,000 EAV reduction
Veterans with Disabilities Exemptions: 30-49% disability: $2,500 reduction; 50-69%: $5,000 reduction; 70%+: full exemption
7% Annual Assessment Cap (Cook County homestead property): EAV cannot increase more than 7% per year
Illinois EAV = Equalized Assessed Value (33.33% of market value as equalized by the state multiplier)
No state property tax in Illinois - all property taxes are local; rates vary enormously.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Illinois Department of Revenue (property tax oversight) - tax.illinois.gov/localgovernment/propertytax | (217) 782-6666; County Treasurer (varies by county)