2025 Cook County Property Tax Appeal Deadlines – Open Townships & How to File

See When Your Township’s Tax Appeal Deadline Is

Introduction

Every year the Cook County Assessor’s Office reassesses property values. These assessments directly affect your property tax bill. If you believe your assessment is too high, you have the right to appeal.

The appeal process has two levels:

1. File with the Cook County Assessor’s Office.

2. If necessary, file with the Cook County Board of Review.

Each township has its own opening and closing dates for appeals, and missing the window can cost you money. Below is the current appeal status for 2025.

Current 2025 Appeal Status – Cook County Assessor’s Office

Appeals remain open for several townships and will close soon. Property owners must file within this window; if you miss it, you’ll need to wait until next year.

As of November 2025, the Assessor’s Office has several open townships. Property owners in these areas should submit their appeals before the listed deadlines to be considered:

• Palatine Township – Open for appeals until October 22, 2025

• Orland Township – Open for appeals until October 23, 2025

• Lake Township – Open for appeals until November 4, 2025

• Thornton Township – Open for appeals until November 14, 2025

• Schaumburg Township – Open for appeals until November 17, 2025

• North Chicago Township – Open for appeals until November 20, 2025

• South Chicago Township – Open for appeals until November 28, 2025

• Rich Township – Open for appeals until December 4, 2025

• Niles Township – Open for appeals until December 5, 2025

• Bloom Township – Open for appeals until December 9, 2025

• Hanover Township – Open for appeals until December 22, 2025

Closed Townships

Several townships – including Berwyn, Cicero, Evanston, Norwood Park, Oak Park, Palos, River Forest, Riverside, and Rogers Park – already had their filing windows earlier this year and are currently closed.

If your property is in one of these townships and you missed the deadline, you cannot file a 2025 Assessor-level appeal and must wait until next year. However, you may still qualify for exemptions or other relief; consult CookCounty Tax Appeals for guidance.

Current 2025 appeal status – Cook County Board of Review

The Cook County Board of Review handles second-level property tax appeals after the Assessor’s Office. As of October 2025, the following townships are open for filing:

Currently Open (Group 3 – Opened September 22, 2025, Closes October 21, 2025)

• Barrington Township – open until October 21, 2025

• Maine Township – open until October 21, 2025

• Northfield Township – open until October 21, 2025

• Stickney Township – open until October 21, 2025

• West Chicago Township – open until October 21, 2025

Recently Closed Board of Review Townships (Group 2B)

The following townships closed on September 16, 2025:

• Elk Grove Township

• Lake View Township

• Lyons Township

• New Trier Township

If you missed your filing window, you’ll need to wait until the next tax year or verify whether you qualify for an Assessor-level appeal reopening or exemption.

Upcoming Townships (Expected to Open Late October or Early November 2025)

Based on the official Cook County Board of Review 2025 schedule, the next group (Group 4) typically includes:

• Bloom Township

• Bremen Township

• Calumet Township

• Hyde Park Township

• Lemont Township

• Leyden Township

• Palatine Township

• Proviso Township

• Schaumburg Township

• Worth Township

Exact open and close dates will be posted soon. You can stay current by visiting See When Your Township’s Tax Appeal Deadline Is for real-time updates.

Townships in Pre-File Phase

The Board of Review allows taxpayers to pre-file appeals before the official opening date. Pre-filing doesn’t start the appeal clock but ensures you’ll be notified when your township’s filing window opens.

Townships currently in the pre-file phase include Barrington, Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Hanover, Hyde Park, Jefferson, Lake, Lemont, Leyden, Maine, Niles, North Chicago, Northfield, Orland, Palatine, Proviso, Rich, Schaumburg, South Chicago, Stickney, Thornton, West Chicago, Wheeling, and Worth.

Homeowners in these townships should gather evidence (comparable property values, photos, and documents) and be ready to file when notified.

Why File a Property Tax Appeal?

• Assessments are not always accurate. Computer-generated valuations can overstate the market value of your home. An appeal allows you to correct errors and ensure you are taxed fairly.

• Lower taxes. A successful appeal can reduce your assessment, which directly lowers your property tax bill. In some cases, reductions last multiple years, saving thousands of dollars.

• Protect your investment. Keeping your tax bill in line with comparable properties preserves your home’s value and can make your property more attractive to buyers.

Why file a property tax appeal?

- Assessments are not always accurate. Computer-generated valuations can overstate the market value of your home. An appeal allows you to correct errors and ensure you are taxed fairly.

- Lower taxes. A successful appeal can reduce your assessment, which directly lowers your property tax bill. In some cases, reductions last multiple years, saving thousands of dollars.

- Protect your investment. Keeping your tax bill in line with comparable properties preserves your home’s value and can make your property more attractive to buyers.

How to File an Appeal

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Compile comparable property sales, photos showing discrepancies (e.g., functional obsolescence or deferred maintenance), and other documents that support a lower value.

Step 2: File with the Assessor’s Office

For townships currently open, submit your appeal online through the Assessor’s portal before the last filing date. You typically have 30 days from the mailing date of the reassessment notice to file, so act quickly, or contact CookCounty Tax Appeals

Step 3: Review the Decision

The Assessor will issue a decision after reviewing your evidence. If you disagree with the outcome, you may appeal further.

Step 4: Appeal to the Board of Review

Once your township’s Board of Review window opens, you may file a second-level appeal. Pre-filing is available for many other townships.

For help, contact CookCounty Tax Appeals

Tips for Success

• Mark your calendar. Appeal windows are short. Use the dates above to plan and set reminders.

• Don’t wait to file. You can submit your appeal as soon as your township opens; waiting until the deadline leaves little time to correct errors or gather additional evidence.

• Check both agencies. The Assessor’s Office and the Board of Review have separate filing periods. Even if you appealed with the Assessor, you may still need to appeal with the Board of Review to get relief.

• Consult a professional attorney(CookCounty Tax Appeals). Property tax appeals can be complex, and working with an experienced attorney can dramatically increase your chances of success. An attorney can navigate deadlines, prepare evidence, and advocate on your behalf.

Conclusion

Filing a property tax appeal is one of the most effective ways to reduce your tax burden and protect your investment. The process can be confusing and time-sensitive, which is why partnering with an experienced attorney is highly recommended.

At CookCounty Tax Appeals, we provide tools such as our property tax calculator so you can easily compare your property taxes. Visit us today to explore your options and start your path toward a fair property tax bill.

Hani Khatib: Attorney at Law, CPA, and LL.M. in Taxation