How To Search for Joliet Property Records

Property records are a goldmine of information that buyers, homeowners, real estate professionals, and investors can use to conduct due diligence and make informed decisions. Some key details available in these records include property boundaries, ownership history, assessed values, tax data, liens, amenities, home type, foreclosure filings, zoning regulations, and more. Joliet property records are public records, which means they are available to anyone who wishes to view them or request copies. However, knowing where to look is essential to getting the right information, especially since the City of Joliet spans two counties (Will and Kendall Counties) and extends into nine different townships, more than any other Illinois city. Below is a list of resources to help you find different types of Joliet property records.

County Recorder's Offices

The Will County Recorder of Deeds and the Kendall County Clerk and Recorder are the official custodians of deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, and other records that affect property ownership and interests in the City of Joliet. Each recorder's office provides an online records search tool that you can use to look up documents by name, address, document type, recording date, and other criteria. Note that search features and available filters may vary slightly between counties. You can also visit the appropriate recorder's office to obtain copies of these records and for other in-person services. Here are the addresses, phone numbers, and direct links to the online search tools for the Will and Kendall County Recorder's Offices:

• Will County Recorder of Deeds:

  158 N. Scott Street

  Joliet, IL 60432-4143

  Phone: (815) 740-4637

  Documents Search Tool

• Kendall County Clerk & Recorder:

  502 S. Main St.

  Yorkville, IL 60560

  Phone: (630) 553-4112

  Tapestry EON Search Tool

  Laredo Anywhere Search Tool (subscription-based)

County Supervisor of Assessments' Offices

Properties in Joliet fall under the jurisdiction of either the Will County Supervisor of Assessments or the Kendall County Supervisor of Assessments, depending on their exact location within the city. These offices are responsible for ensuring that properties within their county boundaries are assessed fairly and uniformly for property tax purposes, making them a valuable resource for property records. Both offices provide online tools that you can use to look up information like property classification, ownership details, assessment values, sales history, valuation data, and more. Searches can typically be performed using parcel numbers, property addresses, or owner names, though search parameters and available data may differ slightly by county. You can also access records and make detailed inquiries in person at the appropriate supervisor of assessments' office.

Here are the contact details for the Will and Kendall County Supervisors of Assessments and direct links to their search tools:

• Will County Supervisor of Assessments:

  302 N. Chicago Street, 2nd Floor

  Joliet, IL 60432

  Phone: (815) 740-4648

  Property Search Portal

• Kendall County Supervisor of Assessments:

  807 W John St.

  Yorkville, IL 60560

  Phone: (630) 553-4146

  Map Viewer

Township Assessor's Offices

Because of its irregular, sprawling shape, Joliet's city limits touch nine separate townships: Joliet, Troy, Plainfield, Lockport, New Lenox, Jackson, and Channahon Townships in the Will County portion of the city, and Na-Au-Say and Seward Townships in the Kendall County portion. Each township has a local Township Assessor who is responsible for determining the fair market value of properties within their jurisdiction. These offices can provide information such as a property's physical characteristics, assessment value history, and tax exemption status. Some township assessor offices also offer online search tools, usually searchable by address or parcel ID (specifics may vary by township).

Below are contact details for township assessor offices that cover portions of the City of Joliet:

• Joliet Township:

  175 W Jefferson St.

  Joliet, IL 60432

  Phone: (815) 726-5446

  Property Search

• Plainfield Township:

  22525 W. Lockport St.

  Plainfield, IL 60544

  Phone: (815) 436-5110

  Property Lookup

• Troy Township:

  25448 W Seil Rd.

  Shorewood, IL 60404

  Phone: (815) 744-5806

  (815) 744-5807

  Property Search

• New Lenox Township:

  1100 South Cedar Rd.

  New Lenox, IL 60451

  Phone: (815) 485-9419

• Jackson Township:

  100 E. Mississippi Ave.

  Elwood, IL 60421

  Phone: (815) 423-5780

  Property Search

• Channahon Township:

  25461 S Fryer St.

  Channahon, IL 60410

  Phone: (815) 467-2831

• Lockport Township:

  1463 S. Farrell Rd., 2nd Floor

  Lockport, IL 60441

  Phone: (815) 838-0780

  Online Property Search

• Na-Au-Say and Seward Townships:

  14719 O'Brien Rd.

  Minooka, IL 60477

  Phone: (815) 475-4609

  (815) 254-7708

*Na-Au-Say and Seward Townships are part of a multi-township assessment district that also includes Lisbon Township.

County Treasurer's Offices

The Will County Treasurer and the Kendall County Treasurer are responsible for billing and collecting property taxes for Joliet, depending on the property's location within the city. Each treasurer's office provides an online tax portal that you can use to view tax bills, check payment histories, review unpaid balances, and access other tax-related property information. You can also directly contact the relevant treasurer's office for in-person services and general assistance. Here are the contact details and links to the Will and Kendall County Treasurer's Offices' search tools:

• Will County Treasurer:

  302 N. Chicago Street

  Joliet, IL 60432

  Phone: (815) 740-4675

  Tax Information Search Tool

• Kendall County Treasurer:

  807 W John St.

  Yorkville, IL 60560

  Phone: (630) 553-4124

  Property Tax Inquiry

County Circuit Courts

The Will and Kendall County Circuit Courts are valuable resources for Joliet property records related to legal actions or disputes, such as foreclosures, liens, code enforcement cases, and civil judgments affecting real estate. Copies of these records can be obtained in person at the courthouse where the case was filed. Each county's Circuit Clerk also provides an online case search system that you can use to look up cases by party name or case number. Below are the courthouse locations, contact numbers, and links to the online case search tools for the Will and Kendall County Circuit Courts:

• Will County Courthouse:

  100 W. Jefferson St.

  Joliet, IL 60432

  Phone: (815) 727-8592

  iPublic search tool

• Kendall County Courthouse:

  807 W. John St.

  Yorkville, IL 60560

  Phone: (630) 553-4208

  Online Court Records

City of Joliet Resources

The City of Joliet provides an interactive Public Access Map tool on its website that you can use to view detailed geographic information and property information. This includes subdivision and parcel data, zoning information, neighborhood boundaries, township and county boundaries, flood zones, school districts, and more. Searches may be done by address, parcel identification number (PIN), or name, with map layers available to filter results. Given Joliet's complex geography (spanning two counties and nine townships), this tool is especially useful for pinpointing the exact location of a property and quickly determining zoning, property, and district information across the city.

Joliet property taxes are a vital funding source for essential local government services, such as public schools and libraries, police and fire departments, road and infrastructure maintenance, debt service obligations, and community health programs. Local township assessors classify and assess real properties across the city based on market data. The Will and Kendall County Supervisors of Assessments review those assessed values, depending on the township where the property is located, while the County Treasurers handle tax billing, collection, and distribution. Properties are reassessed every four years, with annual adjustments in between (when necessary) to account for market changes, property improvements, or appeals.

Property tax bills are usually mailed by April or May every year (specific dates vary by county), and taxes are payable in two installments: the first in June and the second in September. Actual due dates are listed on the tax bill but typically fall between the 1st and 5th for both months. Late payments are subject to interest penalties of 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance. Continued non-payment may result in a tax sale, where investors purchase the tax debt. If this happens, the property owner must pay the full balance owed, plus interest and fees, within the statutory redemption period to avoid transfer of the property deed to the investor. The Will and Kendall County Treasurer's Offices both offer multiple options for paying Joliet property taxes, including online payments, mail-in payments, drop-boxes, and in-person transactions. You can call the following numbers for additional information and general assistance:

• Will County Treasurer: (815) 740-4675
• Kendall County Treasurer: (630) 553-4124

Assessments

Local township assessors in Joliet conduct initial assessments of real properties across the city to determine each property's value for tax purposes. A property's assessed value is generally set at 33.33% of its fair market value. After the initial assessment is completed, it is reviewed by either the Will County or Kendall County Supervisor of Assessments, depending on the property's location within the city, to ensure uniformity and fairness. The Supervisor of Assessments may apply an equalization factor and subtract any applicable exemptions to arrive at the property's final taxable value, known as the equalized assessed value (EAV). Properties are reassessed on a four-year cycle, with annual equalization adjustments made in the years between full reassessments.

Assessment notices are typically mailed out in the late summer or fall, depending on the township/county. Keep in mind that these notices are only mailed to everyone during reassessment years. In other years, you will only receive a notice if the value of your property has changed by a certain amount or if a township-wide "equalization factor" was applied. If you believe your property has been assessed incorrectly, you can contact your local Township Assessor to request a correction. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may file a formal appeal with either the Will County Board of Review or the Kendall County Board of Review, depending on your township. Appeal periods are typically open for about 30 days after assessment notices are issued, and appeals may be submitted online, in writing, or in person, depending on the county. You may call the following numbers for general inquiries and assistance:

• Will County Supervisor of Assessments: (815) 740-4648
• Kendall County Supervisor of Assessments: (630) 553-4146

Appraisals

Joliet assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Because the City of Joliet is spread across two counties, its median effective property tax rate varies by location. For properties in Will County, the median property tax rate is 2.70%, while for those in Kendall County, it's 2.65%. These rates are significantly higher than the national median of 1.02% and also above the Illinois statewide median rate of 2.35%. The average annual property tax bill in Joliet also depends on the area in the city: $4,525 for properties in the Will County portion and $7,272 for properties in the Kendall County portion. These figures are also above the national average property tax bill of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Joliet's property tax rates compare to other counties in Illinois:

• Adams County 2.23%
• Boone County 2.69%
• Cook County 2.01%
• DeKalb County 2.86%
• DuPage County 2.16%
• Grundy County 2.61%
• Kane County 2.60%
• Lake County 2.94%
• McHenry County 2.75%
• Sangamon County 2.31%
• Shelby County 2.20%
• Tazewell County 2.46%
• Winnebago County 2.78%

Exemptions

Property tax rates in Joliet are relatively high compared to the national average, and some residents may have difficulties making their annual tax payments. Thankfully, there are several tax exemption programs available to qualifying homeowners designed to reduce the tax burden. These include:

• General Homestead/Residential Exemption: Reduces a property's taxable value by up to $8,000.

• Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption: Available to disabled homeowners and reduces their property's assessed value by up to $2,000 per year.

• Homestead Improvement Exemption: Provides an exemption of up to $75,000 in assessed value for qualifying improvements to residential property.

• Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption: Available to homeowners aged 65 or older and can reduce taxable value by up to $8,000.

• Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption: Offers a $5,000 reduction in assessed value for a qualifying veteran's primary residence for two consecutive tax years following active-duty service.

• Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze: Freezes the assessed value for senior homeowners whose household income is below a certain threshold.

You can contact either the Will County Supervisor of Assessments at (815) 740-4648 or the Kendall County Supervisor of Assessments at (630) 553-4146 for general information on available tax exemption programs and assistance with applying.

You need a permit for most construction and home improvement, renovation, or repair projects in Joliet. Exceptions may apply for minor repairs or cosmetic work, such as painting, carpeting, or trim installation. Permits are issued by the Joliet Building and Inspectional Services Division. You can apply for one by emailing the appropriate permit form, along with the required supporting document, to permitapplication@joliet.gov. Submissions may also be done by dropping off the completed permit forms and required documents at the division's office, located at 150 W Jefferson St., First Floor, Joliet, IL 60432. You can call (815) 724-4070 for inquiries and general assistance.

Common types of permits issued in Joliet include:

• New Home/Remodel Permit: For new residential construction and home improvement projects.

• General Building Permit: For constructing, altering, adding to, or remodeling commercial and industrial property as well as multifamily units.

• Demolition Permit: For tearing down all or portions of an existing structure.

• Driveway/Sidewalk Permit: For installing or modifying driveways or sidewalks.

• Electrical Permit: For installing or modifying electrical systems (new wiring, service upgrades, etc.)

• Fire Permit: For installing and modifying fire alarms, sprinklers, and suppression systems.

• HVAC Permit: For installing or replacing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and cooling units.

• Plumbing Permit: For installing, altering, or replacing water lines, drainage, and other plumbing systems.

• Roof/Siding/Windows Permit: For installing or replacing roofing, siding, and windows.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Located along the Des Plaines River, about 30 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Joliet is a rapidly growing city, historically known for limestone quarrying and as a Route 66 landmark. It is a significant regional multi-modal transportation hub, with rail, highway, and waterway connections; a role reinforced by the Joliet Gateway Center, which integrates passenger rail and bus services into one central facility downtown. Joliet also boasts several local landmarks and points of interest, such as the Rialto Square Theatre, the Route 66 Raceway, the Chicagoland Speedway, Bicentennial Park, and the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

Joliet, Illinois, has a population of 150,362, with residents living across two counties: a majority in Will County and a smaller portion in Kendall County. The city has 51,786 housing units; about 95% of these units are occupied and 78% are owner-occupied. There is a mix of housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, apartments, historic homes, and new construction subdivisions, with common housing styles like Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Ranch, Queen Anne, Modern, and Contemporary. The average home price in Joliet, IL, is $254,008, which represents a 2.1% increase from previous years. Note that actual values can vary significantly depending on the neighborhood. Here are some examples:

• Cunningham $214,650
• Redwood $225,452
• Southeast Joliet $176,606
• Southside $141,094
• St. Pat's $199,642

The Joliet, Illinois, real estate market is a moderately competitive market with steady growth and strong investor interest. Home prices have risen consistently over the past few years, with demand driven by the city's industrial growth and logistics hub. Homes typically go under contract within 17 days of listing, and roughly 41% of listed properties sell over the initial asking price.

Searching across multiple government offices and databases to piece together a complete property profile can be time-consuming, but PropertyChecker simplifies the process by pulling key ownership details, tax records, transaction histories, and more into a single, easy-to-use platform. Whether you are buying, investing, or simply doing your due diligence, visit PropertyChecker.com to get the property information you need in minutes.