Mason County Property Records
Mason County property records are kept by the Chief County Assessment Office in Havana, the county seat. Kristi J. Poler and Michelle Smith run the office and track assessed values for all parcels in the county. You can search Mason County property records through the free online portal or by calling the office. Township assessors set values on the ground, then the county staff checks that the numbers stay in line. If you need to look up a parcel, check an assessed value, or find ownership data, this page covers the tools and contacts for Mason County property records.
Mason County Property Records Quick Facts
Mason County Assessment Office
Kristi J. Poler serves as the Chief County Assessment Officer for Mason County, with Michelle Smith also on staff. The office sits at 125 N. Plum St. in Havana. This is the main place for property records in the county. Staff here keep track of assessed values for every parcel, process exemption forms, and work with township assessors who set values on the ground. Under 35 ILCS 200/, the assessment office must make sure all township values are fair and uniform. If one area looks out of step with the rest, the office can adjust values so Mason County property records stay balanced for all owners.
Township assessors in Mason County handle the hands-on work of checking new builds, reviewing permits, and walking through homes when needed. The assessment date is January 1 each year. All real property in Mason County gets assessed at 33 1/3 percent of fair market value. That is the same rate used across most of Illinois. After the township assessors finish, the county office goes through the numbers to confirm they hold up. The Board of Review then hears complaints from owners who think their assessed value is wrong or too high.
The Mason County assessment office website lists contact details and general info about how the process works.
| Office | Mason County Chief County Assessment Office |
|---|---|
| Officer | Kristi J. Poler / Michelle Smith |
| Address | 125 N. Plum St., Havana, IL 62644 |
| Phone | (309) 543-4775 (Option 4) |
| Fax | (309) 543-2085 |
| kpoler@masoncountyil.org | |
| Website | masoncountyil.gov/assessment |
Search Mason County Property Records Online
Mason County offers a free online property search through the DevNet Wedge platform. You can look up parcels by owner name, address, or Property Index Number at masonil.devnetwedge.com. The PIN is a code that stays with the land no matter who owns it. Most people start with an address search since that is what they know. Results pull up the assessed value, fair market value, lot size, and property class for each parcel. No login is needed and the tool is free for anyone to use.
Under 35 ILCS 200/, all property in Mason County must be assessed at 33 1/3 percent of fair market value. The online search shows that figure along with any exemptions on the parcel. You can see which township the property sits in and the class code that tells you if it is farm, residential, or commercial. This is the fastest way to pull up Mason County property records without going to the courthouse in Havana. The search works around the clock.
The Mason County property search portal at DevNet Wedge handles most online lookups for parcels in the county. Start your search at masonil.devnetwedge.com.
Type in an address, owner name, or PIN and the system returns full parcel data for any property in Mason County.
Mason County Property Tax Records
Property taxes in Mason County are paid in arrears. The bill you pay this year covers the prior year's assessment. Under 35 ILCS 200/, the lien date is January 1. That date locks in who owns the parcel and what it is worth for tax purposes. Tax bills split the total among each taxing district that covers the parcel. Schools, the county, road districts, and local municipalities in Mason County all get a share. The rate depends on where the parcel sits.
A parcel in Havana may carry a different total tax rate than one out in a rural township. That gap comes from the mix of taxing bodies that overlap each area. The assessor sets the value. The County Treasurer collects the tax. If you have questions about how much you owe or when the bill is due, the Treasurer handles that. For questions about the assessed value on your Mason County property records, reach out to the assessment office at 125 N. Plum St. in Havana.
Note: Mason County tax bills typically go out in the spring with two installment due dates later in the year.
Property Exemptions in Mason County
Property owners in Mason County can apply for exemptions that lower their tax bill. All forms go through the assessment office at 125 N. Plum St. in Havana. The General Homestead Exemption cuts $6,000 from your assessed value if you own and live in your home. No age limit applies. This is the most common exemption in Mason County property records.
Homeowners age 65 and up can get the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption for an extra $5,000 off. The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze locks your assessed value so it does not rise each year, but income limits apply under 35 ILCS 200/. A Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption gives a $2,000 cut. Veterans with a service-connected disability may qualify for the Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption, where the amount depends on the VA rating. The Home Improvement Exemption defers increases from upgrades for up to four years. Once the office approves an exemption, it shows up in your Mason County property records and stays on file unless your status changes.
- General Homestead Exemption: $6,000 reduction
- Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption: $5,000 (age 65+)
- Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze: locks value in place
- Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption: $2,000 reduction
- Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption: varies by VA rating
- Home Improvement Exemption: defers increases up to 4 years
State Resources for Mason County
The Illinois Department of Revenue property tax page provides guidance that applies to every county in the state, including Mason. The department does not manage property tax directly. It sets rules and provides oversight while local offices handle the real work. You can find info about exemptions, assessment standards, and how to reach local offices on that page. Mason County residents who need general help with how property tax works in Illinois can start here.
The County PIN Information page at the Department of Revenue helps you find your Property Index Number if you do not have it. Your PIN shows up on tax bills and assessment notices. It is the most reliable key for searching Mason County property records. The statewide Illinois Property Tax Portal is another way to reach Mason County records. Pick the county from the list and it links to the local tax inquiry system.
Get Mason County Records in Person
Walk into the assessment office at 125 N. Plum St. in Havana during regular hours. Bring the address or PIN of the property you need. Staff can look up the full record, print what you need, and answer questions about your assessment. No appointment is needed. Mason County property records are public. Anyone can ask to see them.
Phone help works too. Call (309) 543-4775, choose Option 4, and staff can pull up basic data for you. You can also fax requests to (309) 543-2085 or email kpoler@masoncountyil.org. For quick lookups, the online search at masonil.devnetwedge.com is faster than a trip to the courthouse. But if you need to file an exemption form, ask about an appeal, or deal with something that needs a signature, going in person is the best choice.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Mason County. Property records belong to the county where the parcel is located. If a property sits near a county line, double check the address before you search the wrong system.