ContactUs@richtownship.org
(708) 748- 6722
Assessor's Office
Main Building (South Entrance)
22013 Governors Highway • Richton Park, IL 60471
Tel (708) 228- 5037 • assessor@richtownship.org
By Appointment Only
Please call (708) 228-5037 to schedule an appointment.
Exemptions
Homeowner Exemption
Most homeowners are eligible for this exemption if they own and occupy the property as their principal place of residence. Once this exemption is applied, the Assessor’s Office auto-renews it for you each year. This exemption provides savings by reducing the equalized assessed value of an eligible property.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, this exemption automatically renews each year.
Due Date: The normal filing period opens in the Spring
Missing Exemptions: Can be filed for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Senior Exemption
Most senior homeowners are eligible for this exemption if they are 65 years of age or older and own and occupy their property as their principal place of residence. Once this exemption is applied, the Assessor’s Office automatically renews it for you each year. A Senior Exemption provides property tax savings by reducing the equalized assessed value of an eligible property.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, this exemption automatically renews each year.
Due Date: The normal filing period opens in the Spring
Missing Exemptions: Can be filed for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
“Senior Freeze” Exemption
Most homeowners are eligible for this exemption if they meet the requirements for the Senior Exemption and have a total household annual income of $65,000 or less in the calendar year 2020. This exemption provides significant savings by "freezing" the equalized assessed value of an eligible property.
Automatic Renewal: This exemption was automatically renewed for the 2021 tax year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due Date: The normal filing period opens in the Spring
Missing Exemptions: Can be filed for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Persons with Disabilities Exemption
Homeowners eligible for this exemption this year must be disabled or become disabled during the 2021 tax year. This exemption provides property tax savings with an annual reduction in the equalized assessed value of a property. Click the button below to learn more about eligibility and the documents required to apply.
Automatic Renewal: This exemption was automatically renewed for the 2021 tax year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due Date: The normal filing period opens in the Spring
Missing Exemptions: Can be filed for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Returning Veterans Exemption
Provides veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict with a reduction in the equalized assessed value of their property – for each taxable year in which they return. This exemption must be filed annually. Click the button below to learn more about eligibility and the documents required to apply.
Automatic Renewal: No, this exemption must be filed annually.
Due Date: The normal filing period opens in the Spring
Missing Exemptions: Can be filed for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Veterans with Disabilities Exemption
Provides veterans with a service-connected disability as certified by the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs with a reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of their property. The amounts of those EAV deductions depend on the level of disability. Click the button below to learn more about eligibility and the documents required to apply.
Automatic Renewal: This exemption was automatically renewed for the 2021 tax year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due Date: The normal filing period opens in the Spring
Missing Exemptions: Can be filed for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
Long-Time Homeowner Exemption
Only 2% of homeowners in Cook County qualify for this exemption. This exemption provides homeowners with an expanded Homeowner Exemption with no maximum exemption amount. In addition to meeting income and residency requirements, applicants must also have a significant assessment increase that exceeds the maximum amounts set by the state legislature. Applications will be mailed directly to potentially eligible homeowners.
Automatic Renewal: No, this exemption must be filed annually.
Due Date: Applications will be mailed to potentially eligible homeowners in the Spring.
Home Improvement Exemption
Allows homeowners to add improvements to their home that add to its value (for example, by increasing the building’s square footage, or repairing after structural flood damage) without being taxed on up to $75,000 of the added value for up to four years.
Automatic Renewal: Yes. This exemption lasts up to four years.
Application Due Date: No application is required. Our office automatically applies this exemption to eligible properties.
*Please Note: Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is not the amount of your taxes. The EAV is the taxed value of the property. A reduction in EAV is not the dollar amount of reduction of a tax bill. Each property's tax bill is affected by its EAV and its local tax rate that year.
Welcome, Rich Township!
The Rich Township Assessor's Office assists residents with tax exemptions, tax
bills and issues relating to the assessed valuation of their properties. In addition, the
Rich Township Assessor’s Office:
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Processes Building Permits
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Maintains up-to-date address records and maps
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Advises taxpayers on Assessor & Board of Review Appeals/Complaints
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Acts as Liaison with Property Owners to the Cook County Assessor
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Delivers exemption renewal forms and Certificate of Error requests to Cook County Assessor’s Office weekly
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Provides duplicate copies of tax bills
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Changes Names/Mailing Addresses in database that are downloaded to the Cook County Assessor’s and Cook County Treasurer’s Offices.
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Assists Seniors in completion of Senior Tax Deferrals
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Assists residents with applications for refunds
The Rich Township Assessor’s Office is unable to assist residents with copies of Deeds
or any changes to Deeds. Please contact the Cook County Recorder of Deeds for
assistance: (312) 603-5050 or cookcountyrecorderofdeeds.com.
We do see by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please contact our office at (708) 228-5037 if you wish to schedule an appointment with us to apply for your exemptions for the 2023 Property Tax Year. We do not take any walk-in appointments.
Tax Factors
Factors that can Affect Residential Property Tax Bill
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Your property's assessed value, determined by the Cook County Assessor
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The "Equalizer," an annual computation determined by the Illinois Dept. of Revenue
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Tax levies, annually levied by local taxing bodies
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Exemptions determined by the State Legislature
Others who are an Important Part of the Tax Process
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The Cook County Assessor applies the "Equalizer." The Township Assessor's office also provides a detailed explanation of "How your Property is Valued."
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The Cook County Treasurer collects Property Taxes throughout Cook County.
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The Cook County Clerk calculates the Tax rates based on Tax Levies.
If you have any questions about tax factors, or if you need help in the areas described above, the Assessor's Office will be glad to assist you.
Property Tax Bill Assistance
The Tax Year 2024 2nd Installment Property Tax due date has yet to be determined. When the tax amounts are finalized, the Cook County Treasurer will be able to print and mail the bills. For further updates/information, check their website: www.cookcountytreasurer.com.
Rich Township is open for Property Tax Appeals. Deadline to file in our office is: December 2nd.
Please call: (708) 228-5037. We see by Appointment ONLY.
Incorrect/missing tax bill questions
I did not receive my tax bill. What do I do?
My name and/or mailing address is wrong on my tax bill. How do I get this corrected?
How do I get my property location corrected?
Calculating a Tax Bill
How is my residential tax bill calculated?
Which County offices are involved in a property tax bill?
Questions about Changes in Your Tax Bill
Why has my tax bill increased this year?
Why did my exemption savings change this year?
My neighbor's home is identical to mine, yet my bill is higher. Why?
Missing exemptions on tax bills
I did not receive my Exemption on my tax bill. What do I do?
Certificates of Error
General information on seeking corrections through Certificates of Error
I submitted a Certificate of Error application online. What is its status?
FAQs: Certificates of Error for Valuations and Exemptions
Do I need to send this Certificate of Error Recommended Tax Bill to my mortgage company?
I paid the original tax bill already. How long before I receive a refund?
Do I need to fill out an application with the Cook County Treasurer's Office to receive a refund?
Assessment and Appeal Questions
Can I file an appeal now after I received my tax bill?
I have an appeal currently being worked. Should I pay the bill I just received?
Do I need a lawyer to file an appeal?
How can I compare my home's assessment to comparable homes?
My township is open for appeals, but when I click "Submit" on my appeal, there's an error.
How can I check the status of my online appeal?
PIN and Classification Questions
I do not know my Property Index Number (PIN). How can I obtain it?
I do not think my PIN is valid.
I have two PINs for my property and think I am being charged twice.
I would like more information regarding my property's classification.
Legal Payments and Legal Descriptions
My parcel has not been assigned a PIN yet. How do I pay my tax bill by legal description?
Where do I get a copy of the legal description for my property?
1st Installment Tax Bill Was Due: March 1, 2025
Taxpayers should note that first installment tax bills will not reflect homeowner, senior citizen, or other exemptions, nor will they reflect the impact of successful assessment appeals. Exemptions and successful appeals will instead appear on second installment bills, along with the effect of changes in the tax levies of local governments and changes to the tax rate and state equalizer.
Total tax bills for the year will be calculated at the time the second installment tax bills are issued. The amount due on the second installment will be the total annual tax bill for each property, less the first installment payment. Second installment tax bills are
generally mailed out at the end of June with a due date in early August. Applicable exemptions are NEVER reflected on the 1 st Installment Tax Bill, only the 2nd Installment Tax Bill. The 1st Installment Tax is calculated at 55% of the total tax bill for the previous tax year.
Property owners who do not have mortgage companies paying their taxes can make tax payments in person, by mail, or online at the Cook County Treasurer's website; www.cookcountytreasurer.com. Those wishing to pay in person can do so at the Cook
County Treasurer's downtown office at 118 N. Clark Street and at any Chase Bank in the Chicago area.
If money for property taxes is paid into an escrow account with a taxpayer's mortgage company, the financial institution should receive the tax bill electronically, even if the taxpayer also receives a copy of the bill. Taxpayers with property tax escrows held by their mortgage companies should not pay property taxes on their own, as this may result in a double payment of taxes. But taxpayers with mortgage escrows should check the Cook County Treasurer's website to verify that their mortgage companies have paid the taxes.
Community Outreach
Interested in having a representative from the Rich Township Assessor's Office participate with your organization or association? We can give a presentation on real estate tax-related topics, exemptions, and answer questions about filing assessment appeals.
Email us at Assessor@richtownship.org to schedule a visit.
Our Team
Paula Farr, CIAO
Deputy Assessor
Direct (708) 228-5036
Email pfarr@richtownship.org
Paula Farr serves as Deputy Assessor and received her CIAO (Certified Illinois Assessing Officer) designation in 2019. Paula assists the Assessor in the day-to-day operations of the Department. Paula has been employed by Rich Township since 2011 and a member of the Rich Township Assessor’s Staff since December 2012.
Toni Davis
Administrative Assistant
Direct (708) 228-5037
Email tdavis@richtownship.org
Toni Davis is an Assistant to the Assessor’s Department and joined our Staff in February 2019. Toni handles exemptions, certificates of error and property tax appeals and complaints.
Jackie Vazquez
Administrative Assistant
Direct (708) 228-5037
Email jvazquez@richtownship.org
Jackie Vazquez is an Assistant to the Assessor’s Department and has been employed by Rich Township since May 2022 and a member of the Rich Township Assessor’s Staff since May 2023. Jackie handles exemptions, certificates of error, property tax appeals and complaints. Jackie is bilingual and is able to assist our Spanish-speaking residents.
Michelle Howard
Administrative Clerk
Direct (708) 228-5037
Email mhoward@richtownship.org
Michelle Howard is a Part-Time Administrative Clerk and has been employed with Rich Township since July 2023. Michelle assists with answering/screening calls, scheduling/keeping track of appointments as well as assisting with property tax appeals.
Assesor's Office Updates
2025 Property Tax Appeals
The Rich Township Assessor’s Office is open for the 2025 Cook County Assessor Property Tax Appeals until December 4th. We will be scheduling appointments beginning Monday, October 27 through Tuesday, December 2nd, in our office.
We cannot take any walk-in appointments. Please leave your name, property address, and phone number. We will return your call within 2 business days.
You also have the option of filing online with the Cook County Assessor’s Office
www.cookcountyassessor.com until December 4th.
Homeowner Property Tax Relief Program
The application deadline for Cook County’s new Homeowner Relief Fund, under which some applicants can receive property tax rebates of $1,000, has been extended to October 31. In addition, more people are now eligible for the program, as the tax increase needed to qualify has been reduced from 50% to 30%. The new Eligibility Requirements are:
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Owners of single-family homes, condominiums or small apartment buildings must have experienced a year-over-year property tax increase of 30% or more in tax year 2021 (paid in 2022), tax year 2022 (paid in 2023), or tax year 2023 (paid in 2024).
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The combined 2024 income for all members of the applicant’s household cannot exceed the Area Median Income. For a single person, the maximum income is $84,000, and it is $119,900 for a family of four.
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The property must be the primary residence of the applicant.
The Homeowner Relief Fund only has enough money to issue rebates to 13,600 households in Cook County. Since it is expected that there will be more than 13,600 households eligible for the program, a lottery will determine who among the qualifying households will receive the rebate.
Taxpayers interested in applying can do so online at https://hrf.cookcountyil.gov/apply. Taxpayers may also call (708) 834-7895. You will be prompted to leave callback information.