Real Estate Taxes Due June 9 With Special Split-Payment Option Available

Press release from the Peoria County Government:

Posted on: June 5, 2020

Peoria County Treasurer Nicole Bjerke would like to remind Peoria County residents that the first installment—or at least 50% of the first installment—of real estate tax payments is due on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.

Earlier this year, the Peoria County Board approved a resolution allowing split payment for the first installment of real estate taxes in response to the hardships and uncertainty following the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents have the option to pay their full first installment, at least 50% of their first installment, or both installments by June 9. For those opting to pay 50% of their first installment, the remaining 50% will be due by August 10, 2020. As long as the deadlines are met, no late penalties will be assessed.

This one-time special payment option was created specifically for those who are unemployed or underemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who are able to make their first installment payments in full are asked to do so.

“I understand that many of our residents have financial concerns and may have suffered a loss of income due to COVID-19. I recognize some may need a little longer to pay this year, and our office is working hard to accommodate those who need to take advantage of this special split payment option,” says Peoria County Treasurer Nicole Bjerke.

Because of the timing of the Peoria County Board’s resolution for this process, the Treasurer’s Office was not able to make any programming changes to their software or website to accommodate the new split payment process. Staff is mailing bills with remaining balances to residents who have opted to take advantage of the split payment process. Residents who have not received an updated bill with their remaining balance listed can call the Treasurer’s Office or go online to print a new bill that will reflect the remaining payment due. Please note that any bills printed online will not have the updated payment deadline (August 10, 2020) listed.

“The online printed dates will still list our ‘normal’ tax payment deadlines. But please know that you have until August 10, 2020 to pay the remaining balance,” Bjerke clarified.

Peoria County real estate taxes are payable at most County banks with payment coupon, by mail, at township collector addresses listed on the tax bill, or in-person at the Peoria County Courthouse between 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday. Residents who are paying in-person at the Courthouse should note that the Treasurer’s Office has temporarily moved to Room G-04 on the Ground Floor of the building to accommodate social distancing, and all visitors to the Courthouse are required to wear a face mask or covering. At this time, only the Jefferson Street entrance to the Courthouse remains open to the public.

Payment by electronic check or credit card are also available online via the Peoria County website, but only for full installment payments; the special split payment option is not available for those paying by electronic check or credit card online. Residents can refer to the back of their tax bill for instructions on how to make these types of payments.

Payments made by mail must be postmarked by the Post Office on or before June 9, 2020. Residents are reminded to check the pickup times at USPS mail receptacles to ensure an accurate postmark date. The appropriate payment stub located on the bottom of the tax bill should also accompany the payment. Taxpayers should also include their parcel number on their check to ensure proper credit.

Questions regarding tax payments should be directed to the Peoria County Treasurer’s Office by phone at (309) 672-6065, option 5, or by email at treasurer@peoriacounty.org.

This press release was produced by the Peoria County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.