Assessor Joseph Berrios talks about the phasing out of the 7% tax cap and his legislative initiatives in Springfield.

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May 13th, 2011		Department of Communications
		For Taxpayer Assistance call:	312-443-7550

Assessor Berrios Unveils New Assessment Notice

Redesigned Notice Kicks-Off 2011 Reassessment

CHICAGO – Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios announced today that his office has started the 2011 assessment, having mailed the first notices to property owners in Riverside and River Forest. 

In an effort to provide homeowners with as much information as possible, Assessor Berrios has also redesigned the residential reassessment notice.

“This new notice provides taxpayers with all the tools necessary to determine if their assessments are accurate and fair,” Berrios said. “They shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to find out what comparable properties are assessed at in their neighborhoods. We’re going to cut out some of the hurdles that have been in place for years.”

The new residential assessment notice will also include a wealth of information regarding each property.  In addition to the standard assessment information, the new notice will include:

•  Estimated fair market value
• Assessment history
• Transactions from the Recorder of Deeds
• History of tax payments
•  Photo of the property

Each year, the Cook County Assessor’s Office reassesses one-third of the nearly 1.8 million parcels of property located in Cook County. This year, the Assessor’s Office is reassessing properties in the 16 townships located in south and west suburban Cook County. 

Reassessment notices contain proposed values that will be reflected on second-installment tax bills, which will be due in the fall of 2012. However, the time to file appeals on these proposed assessments is now, when the reassessment notices are received. The deadline date for appeals for Riverside and River Forest townships is June 13, 2011. Berrios stressed that homeowners do not need an attorney to file an appeal.

“If they feel they cannot get that price for their homes, they should file an appeal,” he said. “We will do the research for them if they feel we are incorrect.”

A single-family homeowner may compare his or her assessment with those of similar homes. These assessments are published in local newspapers and the name of the paper and the publication date can be found on the notice. The publication of assessments is also made available in public libraries. Residential data books are available at all Assessors’ Office locations and may be used to find comparable properties.

Assessor Berrios’ Web site also allows taxpayers to search for information using a 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN) or by typing in an address. Homeowners can check their property’s characteristics, as well as search for information on similar properties to use if they choose to appeal their assessments.

Residential taxpayers may also file an appeal online and the Assessor’s Web site allows them to search for comparables and add those comparables to their online appeals.  The Assessor’s Web site is located at (www.cookcountyassessor.com).  

“I am very pleased that the new residential notice will provide taxpayers with all the pertinent information they need to determine if they should file an appeal,” Berrios said.  “I will continue to work to make additional improvements to the Assessor’s Office in order to make the assessment process as transparent and taxpayer friendly as possible.” 

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