DuPage County Property Tax Bills Mailed this Week; Expect an Increase

This week, property owners in DuPage County will begin receiving their 2010 property tax bills. As reported by the DuPage County Clerk last month, property owners can expect to see the average taxbill increase by 4.55 percent.

“I suspect that many, if not all taxpayers, will be asking how their tax bills can increase in this economy when home and property values have decreased,” DuPage County Treasurer Gwen Henry said.  “The answer is that taxes are calculated by the County Clerk based on a complex set of formulas established by Illinois state law. The amount of funds requested by your taxing districts determines the amount of property tax you will pay. The total tax requested by all DuPage County taxing bodies for the 2010 tax year was nearly $2.5 billion. The tax bill will show the tax rate for each taxpayer’s jurisdiction."

To set the assessed value, township assessors are required to utilize a formula that is built upon property sales that occurred during the three previous calendar years.  Therefore, the 2010 assessed value incorporated property sales that took place from January 2007 through December 2009.  With this mandated three-year average, the assessed values do not decrease as rapidly as actual property values. 

For the first time in many years, the total assessed value of property in DuPage County decreased. The decrease in value was 5.9 percent.  New construction represented only .49 percent of the total county value. 

“It is important to understand that the assessment is a variable, which when divided into the amount of funds requested, creates a percentage or tax rate each of us must pay,” Henry said. “The average tax rate for the 2010 taxes was 6.3154, a 10.45 percent increase from 2009.

“While I know no one will be happy with this news, please know my office, as well as the offices of the County Clerk and township assessors, are acutely aware of the challenges taxpayers are facing.  I want to assure you that we will continue to do our best to serve you during these difficult times,” Henry said.

“In that vein, I want taxpayers to be aware that included with their bill is a guide containing valuable information to know as you prepare to pay property taxes for the 2010 tax year," Henry added.

The guide provides answers to frequently asked questions concerning the property tax bill, information on a variety of options for paying your tax bill, and important contact information and a tax year calendar of events. 

“Additionally, I want to encourage everyone, especially seniors, to carefully check your bill to ensure you are receiving every appropriate property tax exemption,” she said.

Anyone with concerns or requiring assistance is encouraged to contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s office at 630‑407‑5900 or online at treasurer.dupageco.org.  Property owners who have not received a tax bill by May 6 should contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s office.