An outreach event sponsored by the Lyons Township Assessor’s office at the Summit Park District recovered more than $36,000 for taxpayers.
Nearly 200 Summit residents concerned about the recent jump in Cook County assessments attended the August 29 outreach.
Assessor Patrick Hynes gave a brief presentation about the local property tax landscape, the recent reassessment, and tips to reduce the property tax burden.
In Cook County, property is reassessed every three years. Residential taxpayers in Summit were hit especially hard after the most recent reassessment by the Cook County Assessor’s Office.
Residential market sales increased in Summit 32.7% over the prior three years, yet the average residential assessment increase was 63.9% in Summit. The wild upward swing in residential property tax bills found many local taxpayers unprepared for second installment tax bills this year.
Taxpayers in attendance received individual attention from the township assessor and staff during a breakout session.
Local property owners had the opportunity to discuss their property assessment and receive advice on the best strategies available to reduce their annual property tax bill. Some taxpayers were pleased to discover they were eligible for an immediate refund for current and prior year overpayments.
Township staff assisted in filing over 200 assessment appeals that may result in even more savings down the road.
Hynes was pleased with the results after the three-hour event.
“Township assessors serve as a local taxpayer advocate in our property tax system,” he said. “Tonight’s turnout makes this our largest outreach event so far, and we were thrilled to have the chance to identify and return some much-needed dollars to our Summit residents. Special thanks to Martha Sonka from Senator Porfirio’s office for helping promote our event and provide interpreters. We’ll have to do this again.”
If you have questions or need assistance with your property tax bill, you can contact Hynes at 708-482-8300, or stop by the township office at 6404 Joliet Road, Countryside.