North Shore homeowners and business owners facing second-installment tax bills shaped by a 39% reassessment can sit down with a county analyst on Monday, Aug. 17, and challenge their numbers in person.

Cook County Board of Review 2nd District Commissioner Samantha Steele and New Trier Township Assessor Jan Churchwell are co-hosting a free property tax appeal workshop at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 at New Trier Township's office, 739 Elm St. in Winnetka, The Record North Shore reported. Attendees can meet one-on-one with a Board of Review analyst and learn how to file an appeal before the Sept. 1 deadline.

The workshop is walk-in, though registration is recommended by emailing Churchwell at [email protected] or calling 847-446-8200. Attendees should bring their property tax bill or Property Index Number.

Why it matters now

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi released New Trier Township's reassessment in April 2025, showing total assessed values up 39% over the prior triennial cycle. That reassessment, reflecting three years of real estate market changes since 2022, is set to appear on second-installment bills issued this summer. New Trier Township covers Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette and Kenilworth, plus portions of Glenview and Northfield. Commercial property owners along Green Bay Road, Elm Street and Central Street face the same increase.

A 39% jump in assessed value does not translate to a 39% tax hike. Under Illinois's Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, levy growth is capped, and the state equalizer dropped to 3.0300 for 2025. The reassessment redistributes the tax burden among properties rather than raising the total levy, according to the Cook County Assessor's office.

"I strongly encourage property owners to review their reassessment notice to ensure their property characteristics and market value reflect their home," Assessor Fritz Kaegi said in April 2025, when releasing the New Trier figures. "It is important to understand that assessments in Cook County reflect market value over the last three years."

How to appeal

The Cook County Board of Review opened New Trier Township's appeal window on Aug. 3 and will close it Tuesday, Sept. 1. There is no fee. Property owners can appeal if their property characteristics are incorrect or if the estimated market value significantly exceeds what the property could sell for. Appeals can also be filed online at cookcountyboardofreview.com or by calling 312-603-5542.

For tax year 2025, the Board of Review processed a record 290,533 appeals countywide.

Deputy Assessor Michael Sexton is also available at [email protected] or 847-446-8200.

North Shore Business Week Ahead

Monday, Aug. 17, 6 p.m. | New Trier Township, 739 Elm St., Winnetka. Free property tax appeal workshop with Commissioner Steele and Assessor Churchwell. Walk-in; registration recommended via [email protected]. Bring your tax bill or PIN.

Tuesday, Sept. 1. Deadline to file a 2026 property tax appeal with the Cook County Board of Review for all New Trier Township properties. File online at cookcountyboardofreview.com or call 312-603-5542.