Overpayments Caused by Assessment Changes

Some 8,500 owners of homes and other real property across Cook County are owed about $9.8 million in refunds from overpayments caused by changes in assessment levels of their property, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today.

Notices to property owners identified as qualified for the refunds were being mailed in December, Pappas said.

"If they file for refunds, these owners could receive a check that would provide some relief for holiday budgets," Pappas said.

Approximately 8,500 Cook County owners of homes, businesses and land had paid property taxes for which they had been billed.

However, when the assessed valuation of their property was lowered, that change caused their first installment payment to exceed what was due for the entire year.

This qualified them for refunds totaling some $9.8 million, an average of about $1,140 per property, Pappas said.

Even before the mailed notices arrive, Cook County property owners can see if they qualify for a refund by checking the Treasurer's website at cookcountytreasurer.com or calling 312.443.5100, Pappas said.