Fitzgerald's

PropertyTax.com

Practice Limited to Property Taxation Law in Metro Chicago

Established 1987

"Government must learn to do more with less." Famous American Leader, 1981.

We are lawyers who represent the owners and users of commercial, industrial and investment grade real estate. During the past 20 plus years, we have developed innovative techniques and considerable capabilities in the valuation aspects of property taxation. Due to that, we have been able to achieve exceptional assessment levels for our clients.

With local governments doing whatever they can to increase revenues, taxpayers need to be diligent in making sure their tax assessments reflect the true value of their real estate.

Sincerely,

John P. Fitzgerald
Attorney at Law

PropertyTax.com focuses on metro Chicago
Cook County has the most complex property tax code in the United States, with over 1.6 million parcels and property tax revenue exceeding $9.3 billion, we decided to dedicate a substantial portion of this web site to to the subject of Cook County property taxation.

Despite their assertions otherwise, the suburban Chicago counties are not immune to excessive taxation. Property taxpayers in Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will Counties need to be on the lookout for above-market assessments.
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Mobile Version
A mobile version of PropertyTax.com is now available to users of Android, Blackberry, iPhone and Microsoft Mobile.

Assessment Case Studies
View a representative sampling of some of the properties recently represented by John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. in our Case Studies Section.
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Tax Exemptions
Many properties are eligible for an exemption from taxation because of their use and/or the tax status of their owners. If you would like more information, call John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd.

Local Government Links
We maintain a collection of links to over 7,500 state and local government sites. Use these links to obtain property tax information and to file Freedom of Information request.
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Help Wanted
See our Careers Section

Get Our Free Newsletter
John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. publishes a quarterly newsletter concerning legal, economic and political developments which may tend to affect property tax bills. Visit our Newsletter Section to sign-up.
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Real Estate Tenants
You may be entitled to a substantial rebate for past property taxes you paid due to refunds your landlord may have obtained. These refunds would be the result of Tax Rate Objections, actions before the Property Tax Appeals Board, or in Circuit Court. Call us for more information.

Condominiums and Townhouses
All those new condominium projects in downtown Chicago and elsewhere, has created a glut, forcing market values downward. Condominium and townhouse boards should be vigorously contesting their property tax assessments.

Corporate Taxpayers
We respond promptly to RFP's. Please direct it to John P. Fitzgerald

Charitable Organizations
Attention churches and schools. If your organization is a valid 501c (3) and has real estate tax problems, we may be able to help pro bono. Call for more details.

Tax Incentives
Find out if your proposed development may be eligible for one of the numerous tax incentive programs being offered by local governments.
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Cook County Tax Basics
Get a glimpse at how the Cook County system really works. Learn about how you can ascertain the current assessment on a parcel, get an understanding of certain tax jargon, find out the differences between classifications and even download a form you may need. Here, you can find out about new developments in the area of property tax and will soon be able to view articles relating to the subject.
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COOK COUNTY TAX ALERTS:
Stay current with important Cook County property tax filing deadlines and related announcements. Current alerts include:

ASSESSOR: Tax Year 2012
The last day to file an appeal:
Norword Park: 3/8/12
River Forest: 3/8/12
Riverside: 3/8/12

BOARD of REVIEW: Tax Year 2011
The last day to file an appeal:
Norwood Park: 10/5/11
** River Forest: 10/5/11
** Riverside: 10/5/11
** Berwyn: 10/24/11
** Cicero: 10/24/11
Evanston: 10/24/11
** Oak Park: 10/24/11
Rogers Park: 10/24/11
** Bremen: 11/16/11
Elk Grove: 11/16/11
Maine: 11/16/11
New Trier: 11/16/11
** Palos: 11/16/11
Lakeview: 11/16/11
Barrington: 12/7/11
** Calumet: 12/7/11
** Lemont: 12/7/11
Palatine: 12/7/11
** Stickney: 12/7/11
** Lyons: 12/28/11
Lake: 12/28/11
** Worth: 12/28/11
Leyden: 1/20/12
North: 1/20/12
South: 1/20/12
** Thornton: 1/20/12
West: 1/20/12
Wheeling: 1/20/12
Hyde Park: 2/8/12
Jefferson: 2/8/12
Northfield: 2/8/12
** Orland: 2/8/12
** Rich: 2/8/12
** Bloom: 2/22/12
Hanover: 2/22/12
Niles: 2/22/12
** Proviso: 2/22/12
Schaumburg: 2/22/12

** Denotes Triennial Reassessment

TREASURER: Property Tax Payments,
2009 2d Installment was due 12/13/10
2010 1st Installment was due 4/1/11
2010 2d Installment was due 11/1/11
2011 1st Installment will be due 3/1/12

TREASURER: Tax Sales,
2008 Annual Sale, ended 9/22/10
2009 Scavenger Sale, ended 1/20/10
2009 Annual Sale, ended 7/25/11

COOK COUNTY TAX NEWS:
Assessor Berrios First Year Report
The Assessor has issued a report of his accomplishments during his first year in office. Read it here.

2011 General Meeting
The Cook County Board of Review presided over a meeting of all tax lawyers on September 6, 2011. The purpose of the meeting was to unveil new rules and filing procedures, all designed to speed up the assessment process. Among the changes are:
* new filing procedures relating to digital filing
* numerous form changes

Tax Reactivation Program
All industrial-commercial property owners in Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich and Thornton townships should know about the possible tax advantages of participating in this program.

Assessment Rate Changes
Cook County's 10/25 plan is now law. Beginning in 2009, assessment rates have been changed as follows:
Vacant Land-10%
Residential-10%
Apartments-16% during 2009, 13% during 2010, 10% during 2011,
Non-Profit Use-25%
Commercial-25%
Industrial-25%

2010 State Multiplier
The Illinois Department of Revenue has announced that the 2010 state multiplier to be applied to Cook County tax bills is 3.3000. A slight decrease from the 2009 state multiplier of 3.3701.

2011 Tax Bills
The Cook County Treasurer has announced that the 1st Installment 2011 tax bills will be in the mail January 2012.

2011 Triennial Reassessment
All real estate located within the south and southwest suburbs of Cook County is being reassessed effective January 1, 2011.

2012 Triennial Reassessment
All real estate located within the City of Chicago is being reassessed during 2012. First notices will be out in mid January.

Digital Filing Project
The Cook County Assessor and Board of Review have been building a digital filing system for assessment appeals. In September 2011, that system became partially operational and will be fully operational by fall 2012.

Class Action Suit
A class action suit related to the manner in which Cook County calculated interest on certain tax refunds, has been certified. John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. supports this suit and urges all eligible clients not to opt out.

Cook County Governmental Debt
According to Treasurer Pappas, Cook County governments owe $108 billion as of June 2011. That translates to $63,525 per household in Chicago and $32,901 per household in suburban Cook County.
Treasurer Pappas addresses the Civic Federation, June 2011

Local Politics
Politics is a featured section on this web site because this is Cook County after all.
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Tax Incentives
Find out if your proposed development may be eligible for one of Cook County's numerous Tax Incentive programs. Several programs are offered for new or revitalized industrial, commercial and multifamily residential developments.
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