If your Chicago home is in West Chicago Township, you can appeal its 2026 property tax assessment to the Cook County Board of Review from October 8 through Friday, November 6, 2026, and filing is free.
Last reviewed October 20, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
What opened for West Chicago Township property tax appeals in October 2026?
On October 7, 2026, the Cook County Board of Review announced its third group of townships for the 2026 appeal season: Lyons, Northfield, Stickney and West Chicago. Filing for this group opened Thursday, October 8, 2026, and closes Friday, November 6, 2026. West Chicago is the only City of Chicago township in the group.
The Board of Review describes itself as the second level of appeal in Cook County. The first level is the Cook County Assessor’s Office, whose appeal window for West Chicago Township closed August 21, 2026. The Board reviews assessments independently of the Assessor.
Is my home in West Chicago Township?
The Assessor describes West Chicago Township this way: it follows the Chicago River on its east and south sides; its western edge starts at Belmont and Western Avenues, runs west to Kedzie, south to North Avenue, then west to the city limits; and its southwest edge follows Roosevelt Road and then the BNSF railroad tracks south to the Chicago River. Your township is also tied to your property index number (PIN), so the Assessor’s office can confirm it if you are unsure.
Which Chicago property tax appeal windows are open in late October 2026?
Chicago has eight townships. Chicago was not reassessed in 2026, but the Assessor’s calendar notes that appeals are still allowed. Here is where each township stands, from the Assessor’s calendar (updated October 17, 2026) and the Board of Review’s announcements.
| Township | Assessor: last day to file | Board of Review window |
|---|---|---|
| Rogers Park | June 1, 2026 (closed) | First group, opened Aug. 3, 2026 |
| Lake View | July 13, 2026 (closed) | Aug. 31 – Sept. 29, 2026 (closed) |
| West Chicago | Aug. 21, 2026 (closed) | Oct. 8 – Nov. 6, 2026 (open) |
| Hyde Park | Oct. 8, 2026 (closed) | Not yet announced |
| Lake | Oct. 29, 2026 (open) | Not yet announced |
| Jefferson | Nov. 12, 2026 (open) | Not yet announced |
| North Chicago | Nov. 24, 2026 (open) | Not yet announced |
| South Chicago | Not yet posted | Not yet announced |
The full calendar, the eight townships and the step-by-step process are on our guide to how to appeal your property tax assessment in Chicago. Our earlier post covers the Hyde Park, Lake and Jefferson deadlines.
How do I file a Board of Review appeal?
The Board of Review says there is no fee to file an appeal. You can file online on the Board’s website, through an attorney or authorized tax representative, or in person at 118 N. Clark St., Chicago, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If your home is in a Chicago township the Board has not opened yet, its pre-file period for non-attorneys is open now. It lets you submit an appeal ahead of time and ends once your township opens.
Should a recent home buyer appeal?
The Assessor suggests an appeal when the property details on your assessment are wrong, or when the estimated market value is well above what you believe the home could sell for. It also cautions that a recent purchase price is sometimes, but not always, a reflection of a home’s market value. You do not need to hire anyone to file, and the Assessor notes that letters from tax firms offering to file for a fee do not come from its office.
An appeal is separate from exemptions. If you live in the home you bought, make sure you have applied for the Cook County Homeowner Exemption. To see how assessments turn into a bill, read Chicago property taxes for home buyers, and for other first-year tasks see after you buy a home in Chicago.
Common questions
What is the 2026 Board of Review appeal deadline for West Chicago Township?
Friday, November 6, 2026. The window opened Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Does it cost anything to appeal to the Cook County Board of Review?
No. The Board of Review states that there is no fee to file an appeal. Filing with the Assessor is free as well.
My home is in Lake or Jefferson Township. What can I do now?
You can still appeal to the Assessor: Lake Township’s last day is October 29, 2026, and Jefferson’s is November 12, 2026. North Chicago Township is open through November 24, 2026.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal my Chicago property taxes?
No. The Assessor says you do not need to hire anyone to file, and the Board of Review accepts appeals filed online or in person by owners.
Sources
- Cook County Board of Review, Opens Third Group of Townships for 2026 Property Tax Appeal Season (Oct. 7, 2026) and earlier 2026 releases.
- Cook County Assessor’s Office, Assessment & Appeal Calendar (updated Oct. 17, 2026).
- Cook County Assessor’s Office, Appeals.
- Cook County Assessor’s Office, Property reassessments released for West Chicago Township (township boundaries).
- Cook County Assessor’s Office, Residential appeal form (online filing through SmartFile).