Franklin County Property Records

Franklin County property records are kept by the Supervisor of Assessments at the courthouse in Benton. This southern Illinois county has about 37,000 residents and includes the cities of Benton, West Frankfort, and Zeigler. The assessment office manages assessed values, ownership data, and exemption details for every parcel in Franklin County. You can search property records online through the county portal or contact the office at 618-435-9800. Whether you want to check a home value, find out who owns a lot, or review tax information, this page has the tools and contacts to help you access Franklin County property records.

Franklin County Assessment Office

The Supervisor of Assessments office in Franklin County is at 901 Public Square in Benton. This is the main office for all property records in the county. Staff review assessments from local township assessors, process exemption applications, and maintain the parcel database that covers every piece of real property in Franklin County.

Township assessors handle the hands-on valuation work across Franklin County. They visit properties, look at recent sales in the area, and assign values based on what the market supports. The county office then reviews those numbers to make sure they are consistent. Under 35 ILCS 200/, all real property in Franklin County must be assessed at 33 1/3 percent of fair market value. Farmland uses a soil productivity formula. Southern Illinois has a mix of agricultural land and small communities, so both residential and farm assessments play a role in Franklin County property records. The Illinois Department of Revenue applies an equalization factor each year that can shift all assessed values in the county up or down to match state standards.

The Franklin County Supervisor of Assessments page has contact info and resources for property owners.

Visit this page for office hours, forms, and links to the online property search tool for Franklin County.

Search Franklin County Property Records Online

Franklin County has a free property search at franklinil.devnetwedge.com. The tool uses the DevNet Wedge platform. You can look up parcels by owner name, address, or parcel number. No account or fee is needed. The results show the assessed value, property class, tax code area, and basic parcel data.

This is the fastest way to check property records in Franklin County without going to the office. The assessed value you see on each record is 33 1/3 percent of what the county considers fair market value under Illinois law. A parcel with an assessed value of $30,000 has an implied market value of roughly $90,000. Buyers, sellers, and real estate agents in the Benton and West Frankfort areas use this tool to compare values across the county. The data updates when the assessment cycle completes each year. If you need certified copies or more detail, call the office at 618-435-9800.

Below is the Franklin County property search portal where you can search by name, address, or parcel number.

Enter an owner name or street address to find assessed values and other details in Franklin County property records.

Property Exemptions in Franklin County

Franklin County property owners can apply for exemptions that reduce their tax bill. The supervisor of assessments office in Benton processes all applications. These exemptions stay on your property record as long as you continue to qualify.

The General Homestead Exemption is the most common one in Franklin County. It reduces your assessed value by $6,000 if you own and live in the home. No age limit. The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption gives people age 65 and older an extra $5,000 cut. The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze locks your assessed value in place so it does not climb each year, but income limits apply. Disabled persons can get a $2,000 reduction. Veterans with a service-related disability may qualify for a larger exemption that depends on their VA rating. Under 35 ILCS 200/, the Home Improvement Exemption can hold off assessment increases from renovations for up to four years in Franklin County.

• General Homestead: $6,000 off assessed value
• Senior Citizens: extra $5,000 for age 65+
• Senior Freeze: locks value (income limits apply)
• Disabled Persons: $2,000 reduction
• Disabled Veterans: varies by disability rating

Note: Call the Franklin County assessment office at 618-435-9800 to check which exemptions apply to your property.

Franklin County Property Value Appeals

If you think your assessed value is too high in Franklin County, the Board of Review is the first step. This board hears complaints from property owners each year during the complaint period. Assessment notices go out in the summer, and you typically have 30 days to file. Bring comparable sales data, photos, or an appraisal to support your case.

The Board of Review can raise or lower values based on the evidence. If you do not agree with their ruling, you can appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board at the state level. Both levels of appeal are free. You still have to pay your tax bill while the case moves forward. Getting your assessment right in Franklin County matters because even a small change in the assessed value can have a real effect on your tax bill over the years. The appeals process is part of what keeps Franklin County property records fair for all owners.

Get Franklin County Property Records

The online search at franklinil.devnetwedge.com is the quickest way to pull up property records in Franklin County. Basic lookups are free and give you the assessed value, owner name, and parcel data right away.

You can also visit the office at 901 Public Square in Benton during business hours. Staff can look up any parcel and answer questions about values, exemptions, and tax data. Bring the address or parcel number if you have it. Phone help is available at 618-435-9800. The Franklin County Recorder of Deeds is another source for property records in the county. That office holds deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded legal documents that trace ownership over time. The assessor office focuses on current values and tax information. Between these two offices, you get the complete picture of any parcel in Franklin County property records.

The Illinois County PIN Information page can also help you locate your Property Index Number if you do not have it for a search.

Property Tax in Franklin County

Property taxes in Franklin County are paid in arrears. The bill you pay this year covers the prior year's assessment. January 1 is the lien date. That is when the county sets who owns each parcel and what it is worth for tax purposes.

Tax rates differ across Franklin County based on location. Each parcel falls into a tax code area that includes rates from the county, township, school district, fire district, and other local bodies. Parcels in Benton or West Frankfort tend to have higher combined rates because more taxing districts overlap in those areas. Rural parcels often carry lower rates. Local governments set their own levies under 35 ILCS 200/ and the county clerk calculates the final rate for each tax code area. Your Franklin County property record lists the tax code, and the county treasurer can give you the full breakdown. Most owners pay their bill in two installments, with the first due in the summer and the second in the fall.

Late payments add penalties, so mark the due dates. The Franklin County treasurer's office handles all tax payments and can answer billing questions.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. If a property is near the county line, confirm which county it sits in before you search. Each county has its own assessment office and online property records tools.