Sheehan Invites Tinley Park Homeowners to Property Tax Appeal Seminar (Tinley Park, IL) — Homeowners in Tinley Park who want to better understand the Cook County property tax appeal process will have an opportunity to learn about their options at an upcoming seminar hosted with local and county officials.
State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Mokena, is encouraging Tinley Park residents who live in Cook County to attend a residential property tax appeal seminar scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive.
The event will focus on the process homeowners must follow when challenging their property assessments before the Cook County Board of Review. Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers Jr. and representatives from the Board of Review are expected to explain how the appeal process works and answer questions from residents.
Sheehan said understanding the appeal process can be particularly important for homeowners concerned about the financial impact of property taxes on their households.
“Property taxes continue to be a major concern for families throughout our communities, and homeowners deserve to understand the options available to them,” Sheehan said. “This seminar gives residents a chance to hear directly from the experts, learn how the appeal process works, and get answers to their individual questions.”
Property tax appeals generally involve challenging the assessed value placed on a property, with the goal of determining whether the assessment accurately reflects the property’s value under the applicable assessment standards. The Cook County Board of Review is the county body that considers property assessment appeals.
For homeowners who believe their property has been assessed incorrectly, understanding when and how to file an appeal can be an important part of the process. The Tinley Park seminar is intended to provide residents with information directly from Board of Review representatives rather than requiring homeowners to navigate the process on their own.
The event will also bring together several local elected officials and community representatives. In addition to Sheehan and Rogers, those expected to participate include Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz, Bremen Township Supervisor Kathryn Straniero, District 140 School Board President Thomas Martelli, District 140 School Board Member John Lutz, and Park District Commissioners Lisa Butler and Marie Ryan.
The participation of officials from different levels of local government reflects the broad impact property taxes can have on homeowners. Property tax bills in Cook County are connected to multiple taxing bodies, including municipalities, townships, school districts, park districts and other local governments.
For homeowners, however, the assessment process and the appeal process are separate from decisions made by individual taxing bodies about their tax rates and budgets. An assessment appeal generally addresses the property’s assessed value rather than whether a particular taxing district’s spending or tax rate should change.
That distinction can be important for residents attending the seminar. Learning how the Board of Review evaluates appeals may help homeowners determine what type of information they need when challenging an assessment and understand the steps involved in presenting their case.
The event is specifically limited to Tinley Park residents who reside in Cook County. That restriction is significant because Tinley Park extends across county boundaries, with portions of the village located in both Cook and Will counties. The seminar announced by Sheehan is intended only for Tinley Park residents whose properties are located in Cook County.
Residents who live in the Will County portion of Tinley Park therefore are not included in the stated eligibility for this particular event.
The seminar comes as property taxes remain a significant household expense for homeowners throughout suburban Cook County. Changes in assessed property values can affect the amount homeowners ultimately pay, although the final tax bill also depends on the tax rates established by the various taxing districts serving a property.
The Board of Review plays a role in the assessment appeal process by reviewing challenges brought by property owners. For residents unfamiliar with the process, the opportunity to ask questions directly of a commissioner and Board of Review representatives could provide clarification about filing requirements and the information homeowners may need to support an appeal.
Sheehan, who represents the 37th District, is encouraging eligible homeowners to attend the event as part of an effort to provide residents with information about the property tax system and the options available to them.
The seminar is scheduled to run for three hours, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 30. It will be held at the Tinley Park Convention Center at 18451 Convention Center Drive.
The event’s organizers are emphasizing education about the appeal process rather than guaranteeing any particular result for homeowners. Residents will have an opportunity to hear an overview of the process and ask questions regarding property tax appeals.
For Tinley Park homeowners in Cook County who are considering whether to challenge a property assessment, the seminar provides an opportunity to learn about the Board of Review process before taking action.
With property taxes affecting homeowners across the region, Sheehan said residents should have access to information that allows them to understand how the system works and what options may be available when they believe their property assessment warrants review.
The Sept. 30 seminar is open only to Tinley Park residents who reside in Cook County.
Sheehan Invites Tinley Park Homeowners to Property Tax Appeal Seminar
