Search Illinois Property Records
Illinois property records are kept by local county offices across all 102 counties in the state. Each county has a Supervisor of Assessments or Chief County Assessment Officer who tracks assessed values, ownership data, and tax information for every parcel. You can search Illinois property records online through county search portals or visit a local assessment office in person. The Illinois Department of Revenue provides state oversight but does not manage property taxes directly. Township assessors handle the actual valuations in most parts of Illinois. Whether you need to look up a home value, check tax bills, or find who owns a parcel, the search tools on this page can help you get started with Illinois property records.
Illinois Property Records Quick Facts
How Illinois Property Records Work
Property records in Illinois follow a three-tier system. At the top, the Illinois Department of Revenue sets rules and gives guidance to local offices. But it does not run property tax at the state level. The department itself says it plainly: "The Illinois Department of Revenue does not administer property tax. It is managed by the local governments including cities, counties, and taxing districts." That means your county is in charge of your property records in Illinois.
At the county level, the Chief County Assessment Officer or Supervisor of Assessments keeps track of all property data. This office gives technical help to township assessors and checks that values are fair across the board. They also process exemptions like the General Homestead Exemption, Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, and Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption. In DuPage County alone, the office granted over 74,000 Senior Homestead Exemptions for the 2024 pay 2025 tax year. Every county in Illinois has its own way to search property records, and most now offer free online tools.
The lead-in for this screenshot shows the main page of the Illinois Department of Revenue, which provides state-level property tax guidance for all Illinois counties.
This is where Illinois residents can find links to county PIN information, local government contacts, and property tax resources across the state.
Township assessors do the hands-on work. They visit properties, set values, and keep records current for their township. Most Illinois counties use township assessors except Cook County, which has its own system. The Cook County Assessor's Office does all assessing on a triennial basis. For the rest of the state, assessments happen on a quadrennial cycle with yearly adjustments.
Search Property Records in Illinois Online
Most Illinois counties let you search property records for free on their websites. You can look up parcels by address, owner name, or Property Index Number. The PIN is a key piece of data in Illinois. As the state notes: "If you qualify for the Illinois Property Tax Credit, you will need your Property Index Number, sometimes called 'parcel number' or 'permanent index number.' This number is located on your county tax bill or assessment notice." Many counties in Illinois use the DevNet Wedge platform for their online property search tools.
The Illinois Property Tax Portal is a statewide tool that lets you pick your county and go right to the local search system. It covers Bureau County, Christian County, and many more across the state. This is one of the best starting points if you are not sure which county site to use for Illinois property records.
Below is a screenshot of the Illinois Property Tax Portal, which connects to county-level property search tools across Illinois.
Select your county from the list to access the local property tax inquiry system and search Illinois property records online.
Cook County has its own dedicated search at cookcountypropertyinfo.com. You can search by PIN or address. The site shows assessed values, tax bills, exemptions, and sale history. Other large counties like DuPage offer propertylookup.dupagecounty.gov and Lake County runs its portal at tax.lakecountyil.gov. Each one lets you pull up full property records for parcels in that county.
What Illinois Property Records Show
Property records in Illinois hold a lot of data. They show who owns the land, what the assessed value is, and how much tax is due. They also list the legal description of the parcel, lot size, and what type of building sits on it. If any exemptions apply, those show up too. The record ties to a PIN that stays with the parcel no matter who owns it.
Under the Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/), all real property must be assessed at 33 1/3 percent of fair market value. Farmland and farm buildings use a different method. Cook County also has its own rules. But for most of Illinois, the 33 1/3 percent standard applies. Assessment notices go out in late summer or fall each year, and you get about 30 days to file an appeal if you think the value is wrong.
Illinois property records usually include the following details:
- Owner name and mailing address
- Property Index Number (PIN)
- Assessed value and fair market value
- Tax amount and payment status
- Legal description and lot size
- Exemptions applied to the parcel
Note: Some counties in Illinois show more data online than others, so check your local site for the full picture.
Illinois Property Tax Exemptions
Illinois offers several exemptions that can lower the tax you pay on your home. You apply for these through your county assessment office. Each one has its own rules. The General Homestead Exemption cuts $6,000 from your assessed value if you own and live in your home. You do not need to be a certain age. This is the most common exemption in Illinois property records.
The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption takes off an extra $5,000 for homeowners age 65 and up. The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze locks your assessed value in place so it does not go up each year. For the freeze, you must meet income limits. Will County recently raised that cap to $75,000 for the 2026 assessment year. The Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption gives a $2,000 cut, and the Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption varies based on the disability rating. A Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption offers a one-time $5,000 reduction. The Home Improvement Exemption defers increases from upgrades for up to four years.
Below is the property tax information page from the Illinois Department of Revenue, where you can learn more about exemptions and how Illinois handles property records at the state level.
This page explains how property tax works in Illinois and provides links to contact your local county officials for more help.
How to Get Illinois Property Records
You can get Illinois property records in a few ways. Online is the fastest. Most counties have a free search tool on their website. You type in an address or PIN and the system pulls up the record. No account is needed in most cases. Some counties charge a small fee for detailed reports or certified copies, but basic lookups are free across Illinois.
In person works too. Go to the county assessment office during business hours. Bring the address or PIN of the property you want to look up. Staff can print records and answer questions about your assessment. Many offices are open from 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 or 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For phone help, the Illinois Department of Revenue can point you in the right direction at 1-800-732-8866 or 217-782-3336. As they note: "To receive assistance by phone, please call 1-800-732-8866 or 217-782-3336. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm."
The County PIN Information page at tax.illinois.gov helps you find your county's resources if you are not sure where to start your search for Illinois property records.
Use this page to locate your county and learn how to find your Property Index Number for Illinois property records searches.
Illinois Property Records and Tax Law
The Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/) is the main law that controls how property gets assessed and taxed in the state. It sets the 33 1/3 percent assessment level, defines how appeals work, and spells out the role of township assessors and county assessment officers. The code also covers how tax bills get calculated and when they are due. Property taxes in Illinois are paid in arrears, meaning the bill you pay this year covers the prior year's assessment.
The lien date is January 1 each year. That is the date the county uses to set who owns the property and what its value is. Tax bills go out the following year. The assessment cycle for most Illinois counties is quadrennial, meaning a full reassessment happens every four years with annual adjustments in between. Cook County follows a triennial cycle instead.
This screenshot shows the Illinois Property Tax Code page at the Illinois General Assembly website, which is the legal foundation for all property records in Illinois.
The full text of 35 ILCS 200/ is available there for anyone who wants to read the statute that governs property tax in Illinois.
Illinois Property Records Help
If you need help with Illinois property records, start with your county assessment office. They handle day-to-day questions about values, exemptions, and tax bills. For state-level guidance, the Illinois Department of Revenue contact page lists all the ways to reach their staff. The Local Government division can be reached at REV.LOCALTAX@ILLINOIS.GOV or 217-785-6518.
For questions about the MyDec property transfer system, email REV.MyDecProject@illinois.gov. The Local Government Contacts page at the Department of Revenue lists every county contact in Illinois for property tax matters. This is a good resource if you need a direct line to your local assessment office.
The Department of Revenue contact page provides phone numbers, email addresses, and office hours for reaching staff who handle Illinois property records questions.
The local government contacts page lists county-by-county information so you can reach the right assessment office for your Illinois property records search.
Browse Illinois Property Records by County
Each county in Illinois has its own assessment office that keeps property records. Pick a county below to find local search tools, contact info, and resources for that area.
Property Records in Major Illinois Cities
Illinois cities do not run their own assessment offices. Property records are handled at the county and township level. Pick a city below to learn which offices handle property records in that area.