Cook County Board of Review
(Chicago) —Cook County Board of Review Commissioners Larry Rogers, Jr., Michael Cabonargi, and Dan Patlak unveiled the first online filing system allowing taxpayers to appeal their property tax assessment via the Internet. The online system makes incredible strides in creating a more open and convenient appeal process for taxpayers. The new filing system was created in partnership with the Assessor’s Office and the Cook County Bureau of Technology. The online system can be accessed at www.cookcountyboardofreview.com.
“Thanks to inter-governmental co-operation between Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios’ Office, President Preckwinkle’s Bureau of Technology, and Board of Review Commissioners Cabonargi, Patlak and Rogers, Cook County residents have the ability to file Board of Review property assessment appeals on-line from their homes. This will provide access to a greater number of citizens seeking review of their property assessments. This project demonstrates the benefits the public can realize when government works together in an efficient and cost effective manner.” said Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr.
“By moving the appeal process online, the Board of Review is leveling the playing field for taxpayers, giving everyone the opportunity to voice their concerns and receive a fair assessment,” said Commissioner Michael Cabonargi. “This project could not have happened without the hard work of the Assessor’s office and the Bureau of Technology and they should be commended for their efforts.”
The original Request for Proposal for an online filing system would have cost taxpayers $500,000. However, by working initially with the Assessor’s Office and then the Bureau of Technology, this system will now be provided in-house. The system is one of the first steps in modernizing the Board and creating a more open and convenient process for taxpayers.
“I am pleased that my staff was able to assist the Board of Review so that taxpayers can begin filing appeals on-line with their office,” Assessor Joseph Berrios said. “This intergovernmental cooperation is essential as we all work together to better serve the taxpayers of Cook County.”
“I want to commend the Board of Review and the Assessor’s office for their work here. A key focus of our administration has been to change the culture of Cook County government by putting into place performance-based metrics that increase transparency and the level of service provided to our residents,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Collaborative efforts like this one are making the Cook County tax system more open and accessible to the tax payers, and that is a significant step forward.”
The new online filing system will allow taxpayers to file appeals online and paperless, instead of requiring them to file either in person or via US Mail. “In the past, taxpayers were required to file assessment appeals in triplicate and to be delivered to the Board of Review,” said Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak. “Now taxpayers will have their choice to either file online or the previous way on paper. Every taxpayer will still have the opportunity to attend a hearing at the Board of Review.”
The Cook County Board of Review is a quasi-judicial agency responsible for adjudicating assessment appeals for all property in Cook County. Last year the Board reviewed over 380,000 appeals of assessed value on property in Cook County. Please contact the Board of Review at (312) 603-5542 with any questions or to view a full demonstration of the new system. For more information, please go to www.CookCountyBoardofReview.com.