Guide to Champaign County Property Taxes 🏡 – Champaign County Property Tax Payments, Rates + More

Last Updated on: 12th September 2024, 03:38 am

Property taxes are complicated, especially in Illinois, which has a notoriously complex property tax system thanks to thousands of local taxing districts, not to mention high property taxes. Are you feeling overwhelmed by Champaign County property tax as a new homeowner?

Here’s everything you need to know about real estate taxes, how your tax amount is calculated, how to pay your bill, and where your tax money goes!

Champaign County Property Taxes – How the Property Tax System Works

Champaign County real estate taxes are governed by Illinois law, specifically Property Tax Code 35 ILCS 200. Property tax is an “ad valorem” tax, meaning it is proportional to the property’s value. Property tax revenues fund local services like schools, infrastructure, and emergency services.

Illinois has a two-year property tax cycle. The tax year refers to the year of an assessment that determines the value of real estate as of January 1. Tax bills are paid in the following year. There are several steps to calculate and apply property tax rates:

1. Assessment. The process begins with the assessment of your property’s value. Local township assessors determine the market value of property within their township, which is then converted into an assessed value or taxable value. In Illinois, the assessed value is one-third (33.33%) of the market value, except in Cook County.
2. Equalization. The Illinois Department of Revenue applies an equalization factor to ensure assessments are uniform across the state. The Champaign County Assessment Office may equalize assessments or adjust the assessed value to achieve an equalized assessed value.
3. Tax Rate. Taxing districts, such as school boards and municipalities, determine the revenue they need. These districts must pass budgets and then set tax rates or levies they deliver to the county clerk. The county clerk then calculates the tax rate by dividing the district’s levy by the total equalized assessed value of all properties in the district. The tax rate is applied to each property’s equalized assessed value to determine the tax due.

The county clerk is responsible for calculating tax rates for all combinations of tax districts in the county. Each combination is known as a tax code area. The property tax rate you see for your tax code area is actually dozens of tax rates combined. There are many taxing districts in Champaign County, including the county itself, towns and cities, townships, park districts, school districts, and more.

Once property tax rates are calculated and applied, tax bills can be sent out to property owners. The treasurer/collector sends out property tax bills, collects tax payments, and distributes the funds to the taxing districts.

Illinois Department of Revenue

The Department of Revenue oversees several aspects of the property tax cycle:

• Preparing a state equalization factor for every county
• Approving non-homestead tax exemptions
• Maintaining taxing district maps across the state
• Publishes assessment information

Questions about property taxes can be directed to this address or phone number.

Property Tax Division, Illinois Department of Revenue

• PO Box 19033, Springfield IL 62702-9033
• Phone: (217) 785-1356

Township Assessors

Township Assessors perform the initial assessment of properties within their townships. They ensure that all properties are assessed fairly and address any discrepancies or appeals from property owners.

Champaign Township: James G. Weisiger

• PO Box 6645. Champaign, IL 61826-6645
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 217-359-2411

City of Champaign Township: Katherine Moore

• 51 E. Logan St., Champaign, IL 61820
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (217) 403-6130

Mahomet Township: Lindsay Brotherton

• 902 Marietta Dr., Mahomet, IL 61853
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (217) 586-1938

Urbana Township: Kathy Pew

• 2312 Perkins Rd., Urbana, IL 61802
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (217) 367-3555

You can see all other township assessors here.

Champaign County Assessment Office

The Champaign County Assessment Office oversees the assessment process, ensuring that property values are accurately appraised and recorded.

The chief county assessment officer (CCAO) reviews assessments from township assessors and makes changes when necessary. The CCAO equalizes assessments in the county and mails out change of assessment notices to taxpayers. The County Assessor must also deliver the books to the County Board of Review.

Champaign County’s Chief County Assessment Officer is Paula Bates, CIAO.

County Assessment Office

• 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois 61802-4581
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (217) 384-3760

Champaign County Clerk

The Champaign County Clerk is responsible for preparing real estate assessment books that are delivered to the chief county assessment officer (CCAO) or the Assessment Office. The County Clerk is also responsible for:

• Filing annual levies and budgets for taxing bodies
• Calculating tax rates for every unit
• Applying tax rates to equalized assessed valuation
• Maintaining delinquent property taxes

The tax books prepared by the County Clerk are used by the County Treasurer/Collector to issue tax bills.

The Champaign County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds is Aaron Ammons.

Champaign County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds’ Office

• Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois 61802
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (217) 384-3722

Champaign County Treasurer/Collector

The Champaign County Collector is responsible for billing and collecting property taxes. The Treasurer/Collector ensures that collected taxes are distributed to the appropriate local entities.

The Champaign County Treasurer/Collector is Cassandra Johnson.

Champaign County Treasurer

• 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois 61802
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 217-384-3743

Champaign County Property Tax Rate

Your tax bill will be based on:

• Equalized assessed value (EAV) of your home and
• Amount your local taxing bodies need for the upcoming year

There are about 125 taxing bodies in Champaign County. School districts receive the largest share. Other tax districts include fire protection districts, townships, the county, college districts, library districts, and park districts.

Cities and other municipalities can invest in infrastructure and provide financial incentives through tax increment financing (TIF). A TIF establishes a new tax district that generally lasts for 23 years. New development in the area increases property values and helps generate new revenue. A TIF may be intended to revitalize an area, develop a new area of the city, provide mass transit, or repair aging infrastructure.

The County Clerk website maintains a database of taxing agency reports, including budgets, levies, and how money from taxpayers is allocated. You can also check the District Rates by Taxcode Report for tax year 2022 to see Champaign County property tax rates by tax code area.

Property Tax Rates by Municipality

Here are the main property tax rates or levies you will pay as a property owner in Champaign County. Below you can find 2022 property tax rates for the county, township, school districts, villages, and cities. You will have additional levies on your tax bill, which may include fire protection, libraries, and TIFs. You can see City of Champaign TIFs here.

Below are the levies for all the cities and villages in Champaign County. Remember that you will likely have a township levy too.

School district levies make up the largest share of your property tax bill. Here are tax levies by school district.

Champaign Property Tax Payments – Due Dates & How to Pay Tax Bills

In Champaign County, Illinois, property tax bills are typically mailed out in May. The payments are usually due in two installments, with the first installment due in June and the second installment due in September. However, these dates can vary slightly each year, so it’s always a good idea for homeowners to check with the Champaign County Treasurer’s Office for the exact dates and any updates.

You can see your property tax bill and due date online with a detailed breakdown of tax levies and what your property taxes go toward. You can also see potential fees you may be charged too, such as a duplicate tax bill fee.

How to Pay Your Property Taxes

Your property tax payment is made to the Treasurer/Collector. You have several ways to pay your tax bill.

• Submit your payment online through the Treasurer/Collector website. You will need your PIN, and there will be a processing fee.
• Pay by phone by calling (217) 834-8713. You will need your PIN, and there will be a processing fee.
• Pay by mail. You can send your payment by cashier’s check, personal check, or money order. Make your check payable to “Champaign County Collector” and mail to either address: Champaign County Collector, 1776 E. Washington St., Urbana, IL 61802 or Champaign County Collector, P. O. Box 4306, Springfield, IL 62708-4306
• Pay in person. You can pay in person at the following address: Champaign County Treasurer’s Office, 1776 E. Washington, Urbana, IL. Accepted payments include cash, checks and e-checks, money orders, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
• Make a payment through your bank. If you use electronic bill pay, use “County Collector” as the payee and enter only your 12-digit PIN as your account number.

Champaign County Property Tax Lookup

The Champaign County tax lookup tool allows you to view property tax information, including your tax bill. You can search by Parcel Number or Address.

Property tax records are public information. You can also use the Champaign County property search to view past tax information for a property you are considering buying.

Property Tax Exemptions in Champaign County, Illinois

Homeowners may qualify for a property tax exemption to reduce the taxable value of the home.

The General Homestead exemption reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) by $6,000. You may qualify if the home is your primary residence on January 1.

Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities can qualify for unique Homestead exemptions. Veterans may also receive a two-year exemption when returning from active duty.

Seniors can also qualify for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (SCAFHE). This freezes the home’s assessed value.

Learn more about exemptions and how to apply on the County Assessment Office website.

Property Tax Appeals in Champaign County, IL

If you believe your property has been overvalued, you have the right to appeal. If you disagree with your assessment, contact the Champaign County Assessment Office for guidance on filing an appeal. Deadlines are crucial, so ensure you act promptly.

A property tax appeal begins with the Champaign County Board of Review. You must file your appeal within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice and including supporting evidence. A hearing will be scheduled to consider your evidence and information provided by the assessor. The Board of Review will issue a decision. If they agree with you, your property’s assessed value may be adjusted. If you are not happy with the decision of the board, you can appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.

The Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board allows you to e-file your appeal. Your appeal must be filed within 30 days of written notice from your township or county. You will need to provide evidence to substantiate your claim. For residential property, this usually means an appraisal or comparable properties.

Champaign Property Tax FAQ

When Are Property Taxes Due in Champaign County?

The first installment is due June 3, and the second installment is due September 3. Interest begins the next day.

Is Interest Added to Unpaid Property Taxes? 

Interest is added to unpaid taxes. For the first installment, interest is 1.5% for the first month, the tax is unpaid. This increases to 3.0% the following month, 4.5% when the bill is two months delinquent, then 6.0%, and finally 7.5% by October. If the second installment is paid late, the interest is 1.5% during the first month, then 3% plus $10 if paid on or after October 4.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Property Taxes in Illinois?

September 30 is the last day to pay by credit/debit card or check. The next business day, only cash, cashier’s check, or money order is accepted. Around October 4, anyone who has unpaid property taxes will have their name published in the newspaper. This is a legal requirement as notification of delinquent taxes.

October 24 is the last day to pay your tax bill before the annual tax sale. The next day, the tax sale is held to sell taxes, not your property.

Property taxes are one of the many responsibilities of homeownership. The taxes you pay help fund your schools, library, fire protection, and other services to improve the quality of life for everyone in your community.

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