Civic Federation Property Tax Primers, 2009-2011
The Cook County property tax system is very complex and difficult to understand. To help educate the public about the tax process and hold elected officials accountable, from 2009 to 2011 the Civic Federation prepared a series of primers about the various processes and associated governmental bodies that manage the Cook County property tax system.
Beginning in 2025, the Federation began to update these primers. You can find more current information here: Civic Federation Property Tax Primers
Appeals
Cook County Property Tax Appeals: A Primer on the Appeals Process with Comparative Data for 2000-2008, published on November 17, 2009
Assessment and Exemptions
The Cook County Property Assessment Process: A Primer on Assessment, Classification, Equalization and Property Tax Exemptions, published on April 5, 2010
Rates, Extensions and TIF
The Cook County Property Tax Extension Process: A Primer on Levies, Tax Caps, and the Effect of Tax Increment Financing Districts, updated on September 7, 2011
Tax Principles
The Cook County Property Tax System and Fundamental Principles of Taxation: A Primer that Applies Fundamental Tax Principles to the Cook County Property Tax System, published on November 22, 2010
The Civic Federation's Position on the Cook County Property Tax System
Civic Federation Position on the Cook County Property Tax System, published on December 20, 2010
Click here to read additional Civic Federation research about property tax issues.