Owning in Illinois
Data from January 2026
Property tax in Illinois
The typical owner in Illinois pays $5,298 a year, about 2.01% of the home’s value (0.94% nationwide). Here are the exemptions and discounts the state publishes, the deadlines to claim them or appeal, and every county’s figure.
Key numbers in Illinois
- Typical tax
- $5,298
- per year, typical household
- 70% more than the U.S.
- Effective rate
- 2.01%
- tax ÷ value (estimate)
- 114% more than the U.S.
- United States
- 0.94%
- national effective rate
- Exemptions and relief
- 4
- published by the state, with the source
The state's rules
Illinois's rules, in one table
The assessment cap, the homestead exemption, when to protest and when to pay, as Illinois's official source states them. Tap "What the source says" to read the exact text.
| Rule | What Illinois says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers a new assessment | By law, every property (except farmland) is inspected and revalued once every four years; every three in Cook County. In between, the assessor may change a value that is incorrect. What the source says“By law, each property, other than farmland, must be viewed, inspected, and revalued once every four years (every three years in Cook County). Farmland is reassessed each year. Between these general assessments, assessors may revalue property if its value is incorrect.” | Illinois Department of Revenue Verified November 5, 2026 |
| Homestead exemption | If the home is your main residence and you pay its tax, the general homestead exemption lowers the equalized assessed value (EAV) by up to $10,000 in Cook County, $8,000 in the counties next to Cook and $6,000 elsewhere. EAV is a share of market value, so the saving is not estimated with this site's rate. Ask your county assessment office how to apply. What the source says· 35 ILCS 200/15-175“The amount of exemption is the increase in the current year's equalized assessed value (EAV), above the 1977 EAV, up to a maximum of $10,000 in Cook County, $8,000 in counties contiguous to Cook County, and $6,000 in all other counties.” | Illinois Department of Revenue Verified November 5, 2026 |
| Protest deadline Set by your county or town | Each county has its board of review, which sets the deadline and forms. Before a written complaint you can meet the township or county assessor to see how the value was figured. Once the tax bill arrives, it is generally too late to complain about that year's assessment. What the source says“Contact the local board of review for specific information including deadlines, complaint forms, evidence, rules of practice, etc. … Keep in mind that once the tax bill is received, it is generally too late to file a complaint for a given year’s assessment.” | Illinois Department of Revenue Verified November 5, 2026 |
| When to pay | The county treasurer mails bills by May 1; the first installment is due by June 1 and the second by Sept. 1. Counties with accelerated billing (such as Cook) use other dates, for example a first installment on March 1. Confirm the dates on your bill. What the source says“Prepares and mails tax bills by May 1.* … Collects first installments for real estate by June 1.* … Collects second installment for real estate by September 1.* … For counties using accelerated billing, estimated bill is mailed by January 31; first installment due by March 1 (or date provided in county ordinance or resolution)” | Illinois Department of Revenue Verified November 5, 2026 |
Not verified yet: Cap on your home, Cap on other property.
Did your assessment go up?By place
Every county, with its figure
What the typical owner pays in each county of Illinois, with the typical home value and the effective rate. Highest tax first.
| Lake County | $8,923 | $345,700 | 2.58% |
|---|---|---|---|
| DuPage County | $8,007 | $391,400 | 2.05% |
| Kendall County | $7,651 | $322,400 | 2.37% |
| Kane County | $7,382 | $327,000 | 2.26% |
| McHenry County | $7,274 | $308,100 | 2.36% |
| Will County | $7,173 | $319,600 | 2.24% |
| Cook County | $6,191 | $324,500 | 1.91% |
| DeKalb County | $5,974 | $243,600 | 2.45% |
| Grundy County | $5,420 | $271,700 | 1.99% |
| Boone County | $4,735 | $216,900 | 2.18% |
| Monroe County | $4,588 | $282,100 | 1.63% |
| McLean County | $4,524 | $208,400 | 2.17% |
| Champaign County | $4,353 | $211,500 | 2.06% |
| Kankakee County | $4,266 | $192,600 | 2.21% |
| Woodford County | $4,215 | $197,600 | 2.13% |
| Winnebago County | $3,930 | $164,500 | 2.39% |
| Ogle County | $3,889 | $189,200 | 2.06% |
| St. Clair County | $3,665 | $180,300 | 2.03% |
| Jo Daviess County | $3,613 | $209,900 | 1.72% |
| Peoria County | $3,552 | $158,500 | 2.24% |
| Tazewell County | $3,536 | $167,500 | 2.11% |
| Clinton County | $3,524 | $192,400 | 1.83% |
| Sangamon County | $3,512 | $176,300 | 1.99% |
| Rock Island County | $3,425 | $150,400 | 2.28% |
| LaSalle County | $3,418 | $161,900 | 2.11% |
| Madison County | $3,319 | $173,000 | 1.92% |
| Piatt County | $3,265 | $180,600 | 1.81% |
| Stephenson County | $3,240 | $134,900 | 2.40% |
| Menard County | $3,190 | $185,500 | 1.72% |
| Lee County | $3,048 | $154,600 | 1.97% |
| Jersey County | $3,020 | $171,900 | 1.76% |
| Henry County | $3,016 | $151,600 | 1.99% |
| Livingston County | $2,908 | $142,200 | 2.05% |
| Washington County | $2,908 | $155,700 | 1.87% |
| Mercer County | $2,878 | $146,700 | 1.96% |
| Effingham County | $2,823 | $189,500 | 1.49% |
| Marshall County | $2,766 | $142,800 | 1.94% |
| Bond County | $2,747 | $145,700 | 1.89% |
| Putnam County | $2,705 | $172,700 | 1.57% |
| Macon County | $2,696 | $127,300 | 2.12% |
| Williamson County | $2,690 | $156,400 | 1.72% |
| Calhoun County | $2,644 | $190,900 | 1.39% |
| Whiteside County | $2,598 | $127,100 | 2.04% |
| Ford County | $2,587 | $122,000 | 2.12% |
| Adams County | $2,573 | $162,600 | 1.58% |
| Douglas County | $2,554 | $150,400 | 1.70% |
| Bureau County | $2,548 | $126,900 | 2.01% |
| Jackson County | $2,526 | $137,300 | 1.84% |
| Iroquois County | $2,504 | $137,800 | 1.82% |
| Coles County | $2,474 | $127,400 | 1.94% |
| Jasper County | $2,448 | $125,500 | 1.95% |
| Moultrie County | $2,414 | $134,000 | 1.80% |
| Logan County | $2,385 | $134,400 | 1.77% |
| De Witt County | $2,322 | $130,300 | 1.78% |
| Morgan County | $2,306 | $130,800 | 1.76% |
| Brown County | $2,291 | $150,300 | 1.52% |
| Fulton County | $2,289 | $107,200 | 2.14% |
| McDonough County | $2,285 | $107,500 | 2.13% |
| Carroll County | $2,277 | $114,500 | 1.99% |
| Knox County | $2,190 | $111,900 | 1.96% |
| Mason County | $2,162 | $103,400 | 2.09% |
| Jefferson County | $2,148 | $126,000 | 1.70% |
| Macoupin County | $2,073 | $138,200 | 1.50% |
| Clark County | $2,064 | $132,400 | 1.56% |
| Shelby County | $2,063 | $137,100 | 1.50% |
| Hancock County | $2,059 | $113,800 | 1.81% |
| Cumberland County | $2,004 | $126,000 | 1.59% |
| Johnson County | $1,992 | $160,500 | 1.24% |
| Cass County | $1,958 | $97,100 | 2.02% |
| Schuyler County | $1,950 | $109,700 | 1.78% |
| Randolph County | $1,927 | $135,100 | 1.43% |
| Warren County | $1,903 | $105,000 | 1.81% |
| Fayette County | $1,894 | $130,700 | 1.45% |
| Christian County | $1,891 | $115,500 | 1.64% |
| Montgomery County | $1,887 | $112,300 | 1.68% |
| Perry County | $1,807 | $112,600 | 1.60% |
| Crawford County | $1,806 | $121,100 | 1.49% |
| Richland County | $1,769 | $112,000 | 1.58% |
| Stark County | $1,768 | $104,500 | 1.69% |
| Marion County | $1,759 | $103,000 | 1.71% |
| Vermilion County | $1,757 | $97,200 | 1.81% |
| Union County | $1,712 | $131,700 | 1.30% |
| Massac County | $1,704 | $121,900 | 1.40% |
| Greene County | $1,661 | $95,200 | 1.74% |
| Wayne County | $1,653 | $110,700 | 1.49% |
| Henderson County | $1,651 | $104,400 | 1.58% |
| Saline County | $1,597 | $94,300 | 1.69% |
| Pike County | $1,556 | $101,400 | 1.53% |
| Hamilton County | $1,512 | $113,700 | 1.33% |
| Pope County | $1,477 | $143,800 | 1.03% |
| Wabash County | $1,475 | $104,900 | 1.41% |
| Edwards County | $1,451 | $100,000 | 1.45% |
| Scott County | $1,446 | $96,400 | 1.50% |
| White County | $1,444 | $108,100 | 1.34% |
| Edgar County | $1,409 | $97,300 | 1.45% |
| Franklin County | $1,394 | $89,000 | 1.57% |
| Clay County | $1,392 | $97,400 | 1.43% |
| Gallatin County | $1,305 | $82,900 | 1.57% |
| Lawrence County | $1,174 | $99,100 | 1.18% |
| Alexander County | $1,084 | $59,800 | 1.81% |
| Hardin County | $1,001 | $103,800 | 0.96% |
| Pulaski County | $869 | $85,100 | 1.02% |
- Lake $8,9232.58%
- DuPage $8,0072.05%
- Kendall $7,6512.37%
- Kane $7,3822.26%
- McHenry $7,2742.36%
- Will $7,1732.24%
- Cook $6,1911.91%
- DeKalb $5,9742.45%
- Grundy $5,4201.99%
- Boone $4,7352.18%
- Monroe $4,5881.63%
- McLean $4,5242.17%
- Champaign $4,3532.06%
- Kankakee $4,2662.21%
- Woodford $4,2152.13%
- Winnebago $3,9302.39%
- Ogle $3,8892.06%
- St. Clair $3,6652.03%
- Jo Daviess $3,6131.72%
- Peoria $3,5522.24%
- Tazewell $3,5362.11%
- Clinton $3,5241.83%
- Sangamon $3,5121.99%
- Rock Island $3,4252.28%
- LaSalle $3,4182.11%
- Madison $3,3191.92%
- Piatt $3,2651.81%
- Stephenson $3,2402.40%
- Menard $3,1901.72%
- Lee $3,0481.97%
- Jersey $3,0201.76%
- Henry $3,0161.99%
- Livingston $2,9082.05%
- Washington $2,9081.87%
- Mercer $2,8781.96%
- Effingham $2,8231.49%
- Marshall $2,7661.94%
- Bond $2,7471.89%
- Putnam $2,7051.57%
- Macon $2,6962.12%
- Williamson $2,6901.72%
- Calhoun $2,6441.39%
- Whiteside $2,5982.04%
- Ford $2,5872.12%
- Adams $2,5731.58%
- Douglas $2,5541.70%
- Bureau $2,5482.01%
- Jackson $2,5261.84%
- Iroquois $2,5041.82%
- Coles $2,4741.94%
- Jasper $2,4481.95%
- Moultrie $2,4141.80%
- Logan $2,3851.77%
- De Witt $2,3221.78%
- Morgan $2,3061.76%
- Brown $2,2911.52%
- Fulton $2,2892.14%
- McDonough $2,2852.13%
- Carroll $2,2771.99%
- Knox $2,1901.96%
- Mason $2,1622.09%
- Jefferson $2,1481.70%
- Macoupin $2,0731.50%
- Clark $2,0641.56%
- Shelby $2,0631.50%
- Hancock $2,0591.81%
- Cumberland $2,0041.59%
- Johnson $1,9921.24%
- Cass $1,9582.02%
- Schuyler $1,9501.78%
- Randolph $1,9271.43%
- Warren $1,9031.81%
- Fayette $1,8941.45%
- Christian $1,8911.64%
- Montgomery $1,8871.68%
- Perry $1,8071.60%
- Crawford $1,8061.49%
- Richland $1,7691.58%
- Stark $1,7681.69%
- Marion $1,7591.71%
- Vermilion $1,7571.81%
- Union $1,7121.30%
- Massac $1,7041.40%
- Greene $1,6611.74%
- Wayne $1,6531.49%
- Henderson $1,6511.58%
- Saline $1,5971.69%
- Pike $1,5561.53%
- Hamilton $1,5121.33%
- Pope $1,4771.03%
- Wabash $1,4751.41%
- Edwards $1,4511.45%
- Scott $1,4461.50%
- White $1,4441.34%
- Edgar $1,4091.45%
- Franklin $1,3941.57%
- Clay $1,3921.43%
- Gallatin $1,3051.57%
- Lawrence $1,1741.18%
- Alexander $1,0841.81%
- Hardin $1,0010.96%
- Pulaski $8691.02%
Effective rate: typical tax ÷ typical value, our estimate from two Census medians. Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (external site)
Exemptions
Which exemption fits you?
What Illinois publishes for each case. You have to apply for almost all of them: none is applied on its own.
-
If it is your main home
If the home is your main residence and you pay its tax, the general homestead exemption lowers the equalized assessed value (EAV) by up to $10,000 in Cook County, $8,000 in the counties next to Cook and $6,000 elsewhere. EAV is a share of market value, so the saving is not estimated with this site's rate. Ask your county assessment office how to apply.
What the source says· 35 ILCS 200/15-175
“The amount of exemption is the increase in the current year's equalized assessed value (EAV), above the 1977 EAV, up to a maximum of $10,000 in Cook County, $8,000 in counties contiguous to Cook County, and $6,000 in all other counties.”
Illinois Department of Revenue · Verified November 5, 2026
-
If you are an older owner
At 65 or older, the senior exemption lowers EAV by up to $8,000 in Cook and its neighboring counties, or $5,000 elsewhere. If your household income is also $75,000 or less (tax year 2026, payable in 2027), you can freeze your home's EAV; the bill can still rise if tax rates rise. Filing rules vary by county; in Cook you file every year.
What the source says· 35 ILCS 200/15-170, 15-172
“The maximum amount of the reduction in equalized assessed value is $8,000 in Cook County and counties contiguous to Cook County or $5,000 in all other counties. … This exemption freezes the senior citizen's property's equalized assessed value the year that the senior citizen qualifies for the exemption. The property's equalized assessed value does not increase as long as qualification for the exemption continues.”
Illinois Department of Revenue · Verified November 5, 2026
-
If you have a disability
If you have a disability and pay the tax on your main home, its EAV drops $2,000 each year. The first time you file Form PTAX-343 with proof of disability at your county assessment office, and you renew it each year.
What the source says
“This exemption is an annual $2,000 reduction in the EAV of the primary residence that is occupied by a person with a disability who is liable for the payment of property taxes.”
Illinois Department of Revenue · Verified November 5, 2026
-
If you are a veteran
Veterans with disabilities get a yearly EAV reduction on the main home based on their disability level. If the home was adapted with federal funds, the reduction can reach $100,000. On returning from active duty in an armed conflict, a veteran gets $5,000 off EAV for two years.
What the source says· 35 ILCS 200/15-165
“This exemption may be up to $100,000 reduction on the assessed value for certain types of housing owned and used exclusively by a veteran with a disability in which federal funds have been used for the purchase or construction of specially adapted housing. … This exemption provides a $5,000 reduction in the EAV of a veteran's principal residence upon returning from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States.”
Illinois Department of Revenue · Verified November 5, 2026
How it works
Where your bill comes from
The local government puts a value on your home, subtracts the exemptions you apply for and applies the rate of each body that taxes it: the county, the city, the school district and others.
- The value assigned to your home
- The exemptions you apply for
- The rates of each taxing body (county, city, schools)
- Your yearly bill
The effective rate on this page is something else: our estimate (typical tax ÷ typical value, from Census data) for comparing places. It is not the rate your local government sets.
Buying or selling
Taxes on the sale
Some states charge a tax or fee when the deed is recorded. What the official source says:
-
State real estate transfer tax
The state charges 50 cents for each $500 of value when the sale is recorded. Counties may add 25 cents per $500, and home-rule cities (such as Chicago) may have their own tax.
35 ILCS 200/31-10 · Illinois Department of Revenue · Verified October 15, 2026
-
County and municipal transfer taxes
On top of the state tax, the county may charge 25 cents per $500 of value and home-rule municipalities may impose one more. Buyer and seller complete the PTAX-203 declaration in the property's county.
35 ILCS 200/31-1 to 31-70 · Illinois Department of Revenue · Verified October 16, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much is property tax in Illinois?
The typical owner pays $5,298 a year, about 2.01% of the home’s value, per the Census (Average 2020–2024). Nationwide the effective rate is 0.94%. Your bill depends on your county, city, school district and the exemptions you claim.
What is the deadline to protest the assessment in Illinois?
Each county has its board of review, which sets the deadline and forms. Before a written complaint you can meet the township or county assessor to see how the value was figured. Once the tax bill arrives, it is generally too late to complain about that year's assessment.
How do I apply for the homestead exemption in Illinois?
If the home is your main residence and you pay its tax, the general homestead exemption lowers the equalized assessed value (EAV) by up to $10,000 in Cook County, $8,000 in the counties next to Cook and $6,000 elsewhere. EAV is a share of market value, so the saving is not estimated with this site's rate. Ask your county assessment office how to apply.
When is property tax paid in Illinois?
The county treasurer mails bills by May 1; the first installment is due by June 1 and the second by Sept. 1. Counties with accelerated billing (such as Cook) use other dates, for example a first installment on March 1. Confirm the dates on your bill.
Which county in Illinois pays the most property tax?
By amount, the highest typical tax is in Lake County ($8,923) and the lowest in Pulaski County ($869). By effective rate, the highest is Lake County (2.58%) and the lowest Hardin County (0.96%).
What is the effective rate?
The typical tax divided by the typical home value in the same place. It is our estimate from two Census medians, not the rate your local government sets; it is for comparing places.