How to Search Chicago Property Records

Property records are public records; anyone can legally search for them, make copies of them, and use them for their own purposes. You have a few options available when searching for Chicago property records. They are as follows:

Recorder of Deeds

The recorder of deeds office is the place to look if you need property records. When real estate changes hands, the title company or attorney files the new deed with the county recorder of deeds office. Many counties, like Cook County, have websites with search portals, making finding the records easy. You can generally search by the property owner's name or property address.

County Tax Assessor's Office

Cook County and others also have a tax portal where you can search for property tax records and other details. You can search by property address or PIN.

Chicago Courts

Check the county court clerk's office for other property records stored at the courthouse. You may find liens, foreclosures, and property dispute cases. Many courthouses have public access search terminals where you can search for records on property ownership and filings related to property.

Chicago property taxes are local taxes imposed by the county tax assessor and tax collector. They benefit school districts, municipalities, and counties by paying for emergency and local services. Chicago property taxes are reviewed and revised every two years.

You can pay your Chicago property taxes through your county website (online), in person at the county treasurer's office, or by mail.

Assessments

The county tax assessor evaluates every property within its jurisdiction every two years and determines its value. The process takes about nine months. Assessors use various methods to assess the property value, often comparing recently sold homes. After all property has been assessed, the tax collector determines the tax rate and sends out bills to property owners.

Appraisals

In the situation of new construction, commercial properties, or complex situations, the tax assessor may rely on certified appraisers to value the property to get an accurate tax rate. Estate planners and the courts also use appraisals to determine the value of Chicago property.

Tax Rates

Chicago has very high property taxes. The average rate is 1.90%, which is much higher than the national average of 0.99% and considerably higher than most other cities within the state. The average Chicago homeowner pays roughly $3,503 a year; in different parts of Illinois, the average is $2,690 yearly. Chicago is a desirable place to live with abundant municipal services, meaning taxes must be higher to support the city's budget. Property values are also increasing at an accelerated rate, causing an increase in property taxes. Some sample rates in counties around the state include:

• Cook County 2.19%
• Hardin County 1.06%
• Kendall County 2.86%
• Knox County 2.05%
• Lake County 2.95%
• LaSalle County 2.51%
• Pike County 1.76%
• Woodford County 2.28%

Tax Exemptions

Some Chicago homeowners qualify for specific exemptions that can help them save money on property taxes. The available options for saving include:

• General Homestead Exemption (GHE) - Up to $10,000 reduced taxable value.
• Disabilities Exemption - $2,000 reduction in taxes.
• Veterans with Disabilities - Up to $100,000 reduced taxable value.
• Returning Veterans Exemption - Up to $5,000 reduced taxable value.
• Low-Income Senior Citizen Exemption - Freezes the assessed value so taxes don't increase.
• Senior Citizen Exemption - $5,000-$8,000 reduced taxable value.
• Religious and Charitable Organization Exemption - Savings for churches.

If you plan on renovating your home, demolishing a structure, or building something new, you will first need a Chicago building permit. The city of Chicago has modernized this process, making it easy for homeowners, contractors, and others to obtain the licensing they need quickly and efficiently through the E-Plan System. Using this portal, you can apply for a permit, check the status, pay fees, and download your approved permit for use.

Chicago has many different types of building permits, including:

• Easy Permit (EPP): For small, simple projects like repairs and replacements.
• Standard Plan Review (SPR): For small to mid-size projects.
• Self-Certification Permit Program: For residential and small commercial projects that meet the Chicago building code.
• Developer Services: For larger, more complex projects.
• Express Permit Program: A simplified process for particular repair and renovation projects.
• Electrical-only permits: For projects that only involve electrical work.
• Specialty permits: For projects outside the scope of standard ones.
• Demolition (wrecking) permits: For demolition projects.
• Elevator and conveyance device permits: For elevator projects.
• Sewer permits: For sewer connection projects.
• Sign permits: For sign projects.
• Tent, stage, and temporary structure permits: For temporary structures.
• Wireless communication installation permits: For wireless communication installation projects.

After obtaining a building permit, the Department of Buildings will conduct inspections throughout the project to ensure the work complies with Chicago building codes.

Chicago has a population of 2.664 million residents and 1,262,612 housing units. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area of Chicago has 758,500 units, making it the fourth-largest apartment complex in the U.S. The Windy City is a diverse collection of housing unit types, including studio apartments, bungalows, featured apartments, courtyard apartments, condos, high-rise apartments/buildings, workers' cottages, single-family homes, convertibles, and lofts. The median cost of a single-family home in Chicago is $363,936; although affordable, it is actually a 71% increase from previous years. Where you live affects property values. For example, some areas of Chicago and the accompanying values are:

• Edgewater (60660) $292.500
• Near South Side (60617) $4155,000
• Uptown (60613) $271.300
• West Englewood (60636) $209,000
• Heart of Chicago (60608) $351,292
• Heart of Italy (60632) $310,824
• McKinley Park (60608) $311,230
• Pilsen (60608) $421,413
• Bridgeport (60609) $401,889
• East Pilsen (60616) $443,865
• Douglas Park (60623) $255,627
• Illinois Medical District (60607) $343,208

There is a severe gap (119,435) between available/affordable rental units and low-income families in need of housing. Conversely, Chicago has 307,284 vacant homes, equating to 10% of the city's units. The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), the largest rental landlord, has over 21,000 apartments and offers 37,000 Section 8 vouchers to low-income renters.