Oak Park Township to Offer Help with Property Tax Appeals

A message from Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar:

Oak Park property owners concerned about their property taxes have an opportunity to do something about next year’s tax bills. According to Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar, Oak Park property owners can appeal their 2012 assessed values with the Cook County Board of Review through September 4. The township is offering residents two ways to get help in filing an appeal.

The first option for residents seeking help with appeals is to attend a meeting with the Board of Review on August 29. At the meeting, representatives from the office of Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr. will explain the appeal process and help residents file appeals. The meeting will take place at 7:00 PM at the new Oak Park Township Senior Services building, located at 130 S. Oak Park Avenue. The meeting is cosponsored by the offices of the Oak Park Township Assessor and Senator Don Harmon.

The second option involves a visit to the Township Assessor’s office. During the visit, assessor’s office staff will help residents prepare evidence to substantiate their appeals. To avoid long waits in his office, Assessor ElSaffar asks that those seeking help from the Township call (708) 383-8005 to schedule an appointment.

“All Oak Park properties were reassessed in 2011, and the tax bills that were mailed in July were the first to reflect the reassessment. Since the appeal period for the 2011 assessment has been closed for nearly a year, taxpayers for the most part cannot do anything about the bills they just paid,” ElSaffar said. “But a successful 2012 appeal with the Board of Review can reduce a property owner’s 2012 tax bill, which will be paid in calendar year 2013.”