PropertyTax.com is the official Internet site of
John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. We are an "AV Rated"
boutique law firm whose practice is dedicated to helping owners and users of commercial, industrial and investment grade real estate located in downtown Chicago, its neighborhoods, suburban Cook County and the collar counties.
This website is a free resource for those that are serious about investing in the Metro Chicago real estate market.
We offer a program which is designed to save our clients tax dollars. The objective being that our clients
only pay their fair share. Our services are client-orientated and are cost
effective. Our program works and we
have the results from thousands of cases to prove
it.
If you need professional assistance with your property tax concerns, please consider calling us.
Sincerely,
John
P. Fitzgerald
Attorney at Law
PropertyTax.com concentrates on Cook
County Cook County has the most complex property
tax code in the United States. With over 1.6 million
parcels and property tax revenue approaching $9
billion, we decided to give the Cook County tax collection
system its due.
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 view articles relating to
the subject. read
more
Assessment Case Studies
View a representative sampling of some of the properties
recently represented by John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. in
our Case Studies section. read
more
Tax Exemptions
Many properties are eligible for an exemption from taxation or a more favorable assessment because of their use and/or the tax status of their owners. If you would like more information, call Fitzgerald, Ltd.
Help Wanted
See our Careers Section
Commercial 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 or actions before the Property Tax Appeals Board or in Circuit Court. Call us for more information.
2006 Reassessment
All real estate in the City of Chicago is scheduled for reassessment during 2006. Increases are proving to be as dramatic as the real estate market has been during recent years.
Current Tax News The "7% Cap"
The 7% Cap was proposed by Assessor Houlihan some years back, as a way of bringing some tax relief to homeowners during a time of rapidly escalating real estate values. Houlihan's original proposal was a simple tax cap and seemed to be good policy, at least from a humanistic viewpoint. What was finally passed by the General Assembly was much more complex and questionable in terms of public policy. Since then, the University of Illinois has published a study where it was found that the "7% Cap" does little more than shift the tax burden to commercial and industrial real estate. Additionally, the ChicagolandChamber of Commerce has found the "7% Cap" legislation to be "flawed". Assessor Houlihan's office presents an informative brochure as to the benefits derived from the 7% Cap. The 7% Cap legislation is going to up for renewal during the fall veto session. Expect it to be examined closely and various viewpoints considered. Positions pro and con, will be reported here.
TIF's
Tax Increment Financing has been around over 20 years and is the catalyst responsible for the rebirth of many city neighborhoods. Until recently the propriety of how TIF's operated was not questioned. The Chicago Reader has published an article about TIF's located within the City of Chicago. This is interesting reading for any real estate investor. read more
Where Your Tax Dollars Go Detailed bar graphs showing local government revenue sources and expenditures. read more
State Multiplier is at a Historic High
The Cook County 2005 state multiplier is 2.7320, a historic high. Learn about the factors which has caused the multiplier to increase to such a high level.
Cook County Tax Alerts!
Stay current with
important Cook County property tax filing deadlines
and related announcements. Current tax alerts include:
TREASURER: Property Tax Payments,
2005 1st Installment was due 3/1/06
2005 2d Installment was due 9/1/06
2006 1st Installment will be due 3/1/07
TREASURER:
Tax Sales,
2005 Scavenger
Sale, Concluded 1/19/06
2004 Annual Tax Sale, Concluded 6/30/06
Get Our Free Newsletter!
John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. publishes a quarterly
newsletter about legal, economic and political developments
which tend to affect property tax bills. Visit our
Newsletter Section to sign-up. read
more
Local Real Estate Appraisers Listed are licensed appraisal firms which we routinely engage for purposes of contesting Cook County tax assessments.
Binder Realty Consultants, Inc.
Richard J. Binder, MAI
3040 Finley Road
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 Telephone: 630-963-1177
Buchaniec & Company, Ltd.
Richard Buchaniec, MAI, CAE
1758 Bittersweet Drive
St. Anne, Illinois 60964 Telephone: 312-719-5851
David M. Richmond, Inc.
Davis M. Richmond, SRA
500 River Oaks Drive
Calumet City, Illinois 60409 Telephone: 815-806-9330
First Real Estate Services, Ltd.
Candace Mitchell, CIAO
120 W. Madison St.
Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois, 60602 Telephone: 312- 578-0600
Fitzgibbons & Associates, Inc
Edward Fitzgibbons
11011 S. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60655 Telephone: 773-779-5820
LaSalle Appraisal Group
Joseph M. Ryan, MAI
11 So. LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603 Telephone: 312-541-1661
McNamara & Associates
Brian T. McNamara, MAI Candidate
9504 S. Hamilton Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60643 Telephone: 773-238-4685
Midwest Appraisal Company, Inc.
Kathy M. Dart, MAI
3055 W. 111 th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60655 Telephone: 773-238-7500 Website: www.midwestappraisalinc.com
Peterson Appraisal Group Gary Peterson, MAI
6035 North Northwest Highway
Suite 200
Chicago, Illinois 60631 Telephone: 773- 763-6801 Website:www.commercialappraiser.com
Property Valuation Services
Mitchell Perlow, MAI
4801 West Peterson Avenue
Suite 215
Chicago, Illinois 60646 Telephone: 773- 777-4600
Real Estate Analysis Corporation
Michael J. Kelly, MAI
211 W. Wacker Drive
Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60606 Telephone: 312-346-1042 Website:www.reac.com
SAS, Inc.
Robert W. Schlitz, MAI
10448 So. Western Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60643 Telephone: 773-233-6042
Terrence O'Brien & Co.
Terrence M. O'Brien, MAI
1247 Waukegan Road
Suite 103
Glenview, Illinois 60062 Telephone: 847-729-1310 State & Local Government Links Looking for property tax information on the Internet? We maintain a collection of links to thousands (over 4,400) of state and local government tax sites for your reference, organized by state. read more
Local Politics Politics is a featured section on this web site because...... Democratic victories may be a win for Illinois homeowners. read more
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. read more
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| MAY 13 | 2008
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