By: Diane Benjamin

Source: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/109/Filing-an-Assessment-Complaint

I copied and sorted the Equalization Factors from that page. They are listed from highest to lowest. Some townships are getting hit really hard.

This website has a good explanation of what is happening: https://www.cutmytaxes.com/what-is-illinois-equalization/

The Illinois Department of Revenue conducts their own sales ratio tests on all 101 counties found in the state. IDOR also collects information from each county assessor, to verify that the 33.33% assessment ratio is being maintained. This is valuable oversight to make sure that both taxing and spending are done in a fair manner. If township and county assessors have done their jobs correctly, then IDOR will only issue an equalization factor of 1.00, meaning no county-wide change. If a county does not adequately address inconsistencies in their assessments, then IDOR will hand out a county-wide equalization factor that could increase or decrease every property in the county.

Interpretation:

The Illinois Department of Revenue thinks local assessors aren’t doing their job, so they step in to do it for them. It also gives local units of government a much bigger basis for taxing. They are salivating at their potential windfall – if taxpayers aren’t paying attention. They will be passing a levy which tells the County how much they want to collect in property taxes. Don’t fall for “the rate will go down” bull. That statement is meant to deceive. When the assessed value has the dramatic increases shown below, the rate has to decrease a lot to keep taxes from forcing you out of your home.

If you didn’t already think your property tax bill is WAY too high, buckle up.