1 00:00:09,679 --> 00:00:17,840 So, everyone's joining us. We'll give everyone just maybe a minute to join on 2 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:26,640 here since we just started the meeting. It looks like we have about 350 360 3 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:32,599 participants and that is rising. We'll just give you a minute and then 4 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:32,599 we'll go ahead and start 5 00:00:53,520 --> 00:01:02,160 when we get to 400. screen. Oh, we're at 401. Okay, 6 00:00:59,359 --> 00:01:07,280 » we'll go ahead and get started. Um, still hopping on, but that's fine. 7 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:13,760 So, hello everyone. Thank you for joining us today. This is our annual um 8 00:01:10,799 --> 00:01:19,040 appeal rules meeting where we'll go over every go over everything for 2026, any 9 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:23,840 changes that are being implemented. My name is Angelina Romero. I am the chief 10 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:29,600 communications officer here at the Cook County Assessor's Office. I'm going to 11 00:01:26,479 --> 00:01:33,200 go over quickly um just for housekeeping purposes a few things and then I'll kick 12 00:01:31,759 --> 00:01:38,720 it off to my team to introduce themselves. But let me just go over um 13 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:46,000 really quickly some housekeeping and reminders. So um 14 00:01:42,799 --> 00:01:50,240 to let you know our recording which was announced at the beginning and we will 15 00:01:48,159 --> 00:01:56,880 be posting or after the meeting's finished we will be um this video will 16 00:01:54,079 --> 00:02:01,520 be accessible on our official appeals rule page. So you'll be able to go back 17 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:05,439 to it and access. We will also share the presentation as well. You'll be able to 18 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:08,959 download it. I know people always ask can you share the presentation? Where 19 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:12,480 can I can I find the recording? So, it'll all be posted there hopefully by 20 00:02:10,959 --> 00:02:16,319 tomorrow. Just give us, you know, the rest of the day. It's a long video to 21 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:21,120 render. Um, but we'll have it posted there as well as the PowerPoint and the 22 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:25,280 New Year rules. Um, what else? Oh, yes. Regarding 23 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:29,920 questions, this is important. So, we're not going to use the chat feature. If 24 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:34,319 you want to ask the question, please use the Q&A box. So, if you look down at the 25 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:38,959 bottom of Zoom, oh, there's already two questions. It says Q&A. It's a lot 26 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:43,280 easier for us to track in the Q&A with a check mark if it's been answered. Um, 27 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:48,959 it's harder to keep track with the chat lo the chat box. So, please ask your 28 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:53,360 questions there. We will be answering the questions at the end. However, we 29 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:58,959 have two persons on here designated to manage the Q&A um as much as they can 30 00:02:56,640 --> 00:03:07,120 during the meeting. However, at the end, I'll be moderating the um Q&A and being 31 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:11,239 uh Oh, everyone can't hear me. I don't know what's wrong with my 32 00:03:12,959 --> 00:03:24,400 um Okay, one second. Hi. Testing. How do I sound now? 33 00:03:20,879 --> 00:03:29,440 » About the same, but >> Okay. So maybe Mike if you want to 34 00:03:26,959 --> 00:03:36,959 repeat what I just said about using the um Q&A feature rather than the chat. 35 00:03:32,640 --> 00:03:41,280 » Yes. Um a primary uh feature of first of all good morning everyone. primary 36 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:47,760 feature of these um sessions we do every year is the ability for you all to ask 37 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:52,640 questions and uh we don't have the chat uh feature abled but we do have a Q&A 38 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:57,840 feature abled in which you can ask the questions and we can provide the answers 39 00:03:54,560 --> 00:04:01,519 as best we can. >> Okay, thank you. And then also can you 40 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:06,480 hear me? If you could just remind them that we will answer questions at the 41 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:10,959 end. However, two assigned staffers will be um closing them out as we go as well. 42 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:15,680 » Right. We will answer questions at the end of the presentation. Yep. 43 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:19,759 » Okay, perfect. Since you can't hear me, let's kick it off. Go ahead. 44 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:23,199 » We we hear you, Angelina. I think some people, you know, I mean, I have you 45 00:04:21,519 --> 00:04:27,520 turned all the way up because I'm old and, you know, losing my hearing anyway, 46 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:29,360 but uh yeah, it's just a little struggle. 47 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:32,400 » All right. I don't want to yell at anyone, so we'll kick it off. Mike, if 48 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:35,759 you could introduce yourself and then kick us off to the next person. 49 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:42,160 » Sure. Thanks, Angelina. Good morning. Uh, my name is Michael Piper. I'm the 50 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:48,639 chief valuations officer. Uh, Christina. >> Uh, hi. I am Christina Lynch. I am the 51 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:51,759 director of legal. >> Good morning. I'm Tasha Gibbons, the 52 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:59,479 chief counsel for the Cook County Assessor. 53 00:04:54,479 --> 00:04:59,479 » Gina Matisen. I'm senior legal counsel. 54 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:05,080 TJ Sheml, director of commercial valuations. 55 00:05:07,759 --> 00:05:11,240 » Ray or Brian. 56 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:15,800 » Hello. I'm Raymond, director of residential. 57 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:23,199 » Brian Sila, director of special projects commercial. 58 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:29,360 » Awesome. Thank you. So, we'll go ahead and get started and Tasha will kick it 59 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:34,000 off. Thank you. >> Okay. Good morning again everyone. Just 60 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:37,919 this is just an overview of what we will cover today. We will first talk a little 61 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:42,800 bit of background on the role of the assessor. Now most of you on this call 62 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:46,639 are quite familiar with that but we may have some new attendees. So we just want 63 00:05:45,039 --> 00:05:51,600 to provide that little bit of background. We will also talk about the 64 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:58,479 valuation data that's available online on our website. rule changes for 2026 65 00:05:56,320 --> 00:06:03,039 um especially those that there are changes will be highlighted and then a 66 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:09,199 number of things stay just the same as in 2025. Um valuation policy updates 67 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:15,440 will also be covered. Um especially the vacancy policy and uh approach to 68 00:06:12,319 --> 00:06:20,160 valuation with the cap rate. And then finally we will touch on um somewhere in 69 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:27,400 the process I know certificate of errors and then there will be a summary at the 70 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:27,400 end and opportunity for questions. 71 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:39,280 Okay, let's move on from here. So just a little bit again refresher um about the 72 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:43,039 role of the assessor. We are statutoily um both authorized and commanded to 73 00:06:41,199 --> 00:06:49,360 assess the property in Cook County which is around 1.9 million parcels which are 74 00:06:46,639 --> 00:06:53,680 generally reassessed every um third year in the trienal reassessment. As you 75 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:57,919 know, the Cook County is divided up by regions for the reassessment except for 76 00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:03,280 when there are when there is new construction and we pick that up as well 77 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:07,840 with our field team and other uh tools, digital tools that we use to do that. We 78 00:07:05,840 --> 00:07:12,240 administer homestead exemptions, everything from your typical homeowner 79 00:07:09,599 --> 00:07:16,080 exemption, which most people have um as long as you're residing on that 80 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:21,199 property, um to disabled veterans, senior freeze exemptions, things like 81 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:26,960 that. administer nonhomestead property tax exemptions. So, your schools, uh, 82 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:30,240 hospitals that qualify, um, charitable organizations, things of that nature, 83 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:36,080 and they can be partially or fully exempt. Um, we also, of course, apply 84 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:40,800 incentives, um, when properties qualify for incentive classifications to promote 85 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:46,240 development and to make sure that they continue in operation in accordance with 86 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:51,199 the ordinance for incentives. um it's not on the slide but we also handle uh 87 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:55,280 property divisions and consolidations of course that happens with development 88 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:59,440 with sales of portions of property and things like that and so we do work with 89 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:04,720 those divisions along with the county clerk and then out of as a result of 90 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:09,039 that we also process AL's assessment by legal description and then that works 91 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:14,879 with the treasurer so that people can pay their portion of taxes until those 92 00:08:11,919 --> 00:08:19,199 pen divisions are completed and then the Another very important thing we do is we 93 00:08:16,879 --> 00:08:24,639 assist taxpayers with all of the above matters. Um, and besides setting those 94 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:29,360 initial assessments, we're looking at information that's provided, you know, 95 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:33,200 in the appeal review process. And of course, if we um did not receive 96 00:08:31,599 --> 00:08:37,839 information or did not get something right in the initial year, there is the 97 00:08:35,839 --> 00:08:41,360 provision that authorizes certificate of air adjustments as well. So there are a 98 00:08:39,839 --> 00:08:46,480 number of things and again I know that most people are familiar but it's just 99 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:52,160 good to um review that information. So next um we will talk a little bit more 100 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:56,000 about the system the property tax system which as you 101 00:08:54,000 --> 00:09:01,040 know it's not just the assessment but that is a big part of how the portion of 102 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:06,160 taxes are divided up among properties and property owners. So it's very 103 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:10,320 important how the assessments are set as accurate as possible. We're also 104 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:14,240 required to assess them uniformly, but the numbers are set by the assessor and 105 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:18,399 then they are capable of review by the board of review and then so those 106 00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:23,600 assessments can be changed as we know before the taxes are extended. And of 107 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:27,519 course that extension uh we do not set the tax rates or send out those tax 108 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:31,680 bills. But the clerk has a very important process in receiving the 109 00:09:29,279 --> 00:09:36,640 levies, the amount of money that the local taxing districts need to provide 110 00:09:34,399 --> 00:09:41,279 services. And those levies are filed with the clerk each year and are used in 111 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:47,440 accordance with chapter 18 of the property tax code to extend and 112 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:51,200 calculate rates um to ensure that the districts receive the money that they're 113 00:09:48,959 --> 00:09:56,560 supposed to um as long as it's in accordance with the law pel and things 114 00:09:53,279 --> 00:10:00,959 like that. And um then what goes into that the extension is based on the 115 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:04,959 taxable value. So once all the assessments are certified then of course 116 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:11,040 they are equalized after the information is provided to Idor the state agency who 117 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:16,160 then creates an equalizer which for Cook County brings us into um proportion with 118 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:21,760 the rest of the state that does not classify property equalizes our 119 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:25,760 assessments and then that uh goes back to the assessor for the deduction of 120 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:30,480 exemptions um the type that apply to homestead property and those are taken 121 00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:36,240 off the taxable value before the extension. But as you can see, it's a 122 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:40,320 myriad of agencies involved to get to that. How does a bill become a bill in 123 00:10:38,560 --> 00:10:45,200 Cook County? And it starts with the assessments. Actually starts with the 124 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:52,120 inspections and and the the pens and then the assessments. 125 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,120 » Okay, moving on. 126 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:59,920 » All right. So, we are engaged in assessing a number of properties each 127 00:10:57,680 --> 00:11:04,720 year. So, you know, the city's around half of that 1.9 million uh parcels. The 128 00:11:02,959 --> 00:11:08,640 other trial areas are a number of parcels as well. And so, the assessor 129 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:13,440 must look at not only each individual property, but there's a mass scale that 130 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:17,200 um happens with mass appraisal. We're looking at both the forest and the 131 00:11:14,959 --> 00:11:21,600 trees. Um and looking at the forest, we're trying to uh both accurately 132 00:11:19,279 --> 00:11:25,120 assess and uniformly assess in accordance with both the Illinois 133 00:11:22,959 --> 00:11:30,079 Constitution and the property tax code and the applicable county ordinance. and 134 00:11:27,519 --> 00:11:35,760 then to do our best to get those numbers to reflect a uniform assessment amongst 135 00:11:32,959 --> 00:11:39,760 like kinds of properties within classes. And so the information we received on 136 00:11:37,680 --> 00:11:44,399 appeal will give us more particulars about the trees within that forest. But 137 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:49,279 um the assessor is engaged in that mass appraisal uh process. We use modeling 138 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:55,560 for residential and worksheets and information that we obtain from the 139 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:55,560 market for commercial properties. 140 00:11:56,320 --> 00:12:01,279 Okay. Okay. And from there, I am going to turn it over to Michael Piper right 141 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:04,399 now to talk a little bit more about mass appraisal. 142 00:12:02,079 --> 00:12:10,880 » Thank you, Tasha. So, we heard two different um phrases that maybe don't 143 00:12:07,519 --> 00:12:17,120 seem consistent or aligned. Uh mass appraisal and market value. And I 144 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:22,959 guarantee you uh in our world they are because the proper balance of the two uh 145 00:12:20,560 --> 00:12:28,000 equal fairness. So, what do we mean by mass appraisal? And as it says here, the 146 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:32,240 IAAO defines mass appraisal as the systematic appraisal of groups of 147 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:37,600 properties as of a given date, which is usually January 1st of the following 148 00:12:34,639 --> 00:12:42,480 year, using standardized procedures and statistical testing. And of course, the 149 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:47,519 purpose of mass appraisal for what we do is efficient and equitable valuation of 150 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:53,440 all property within a jurisdiction for at value or as it says at valorum tax 151 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:58,160 purposes. And of course with mass appraisal assessors develop a 152 00:12:55,440 --> 00:13:04,079 mathematical model to predict the market value of properties. So what does that 153 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:09,760 mean? Uh we basically we we look at market value on each 154 00:13:06,639 --> 00:13:15,519 specific property but we have to apply a uniform set of rules and methodologies 155 00:13:12,959 --> 00:13:21,399 for all properties within a particular category. Uh go to the next slide 156 00:13:17,839 --> 00:13:21,399 please. Angelina, 157 00:13:21,920 --> 00:13:28,880 you can you can look at what we do in terms of mass appraisal as uh we break 158 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:33,519 it down into basically three different property types for accessible 159 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:39,760 properties. The first one of course is residential. We are using uh basically 160 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:44,959 for most residential properties a sales model. Okay, residential assessments are 161 00:13:42,079 --> 00:13:52,959 based on property characteristics. A lot of characteristics basically they come 162 00:13:47,519 --> 00:13:58,639 down to what? Size, condition, age and location. A lot of other things are 163 00:13:55,440 --> 00:14:02,480 factored into that. Idoor sales data which is our primary uh bread and 164 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:07,600 butter. That's where we get the data from. Uh we have a new tool and we'll 165 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:14,079 talk about that a little later. our home value report it which is useful for 166 00:14:10,399 --> 00:14:18,560 single family homes and class 211s and it will give you the top five most 167 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:24,480 significant sales which affect the property's value um all data points that 168 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:28,560 the model uses to estimate the property's value. So it's a good thing 169 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:32,720 to take a look at and you'll see this and copy of the slide presentation. 170 00:14:31,199 --> 00:14:37,440 There's the website. It's very interesting. Um this is ve very new for 171 00:14:35,839 --> 00:14:42,720 this year and I think it will be something that you all will be finding 172 00:14:39,839 --> 00:14:49,680 helpful. So the next category of properties um next slide Angelina 173 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:57,279 industrial and commercial. Okay, we're using an income approach, an incomebased 174 00:14:53,440 --> 00:15:02,800 model again based on factors and data that we get from the market just like 175 00:14:59,440 --> 00:15:07,279 with sales modeling. But the exceptions of course are new construction in which 176 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:12,639 you know typically would employ the cost approach. Uh same thing with special use 177 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:17,199 properties and then taxable lease holds which we value based on the remaining 178 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:22,079 value of the lease. To develop its income approach uh we use data derived 179 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:27,760 from extensive market research to develop rental rates, vacancy rates, 180 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:33,519 operating expense ratios and capitalization rates. And we're going to 181 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:38,560 talk about how we uh uh make estimates for our cap rate a little bit later. 182 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:42,480 Also TJ will talk about that. Uh something we're doing a little different 183 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:48,639 for this year. This data is derived from a variety of outside resources but also 184 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:55,839 the Cook County Assessor Records. uh Cook County Recorder of Deeds, IDORE. Uh 185 00:15:51,600 --> 00:16:02,000 we also employ uh Co-Star, Moody's Analytics, Comstack, Tre, Near Map, 186 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:05,920 Bloomback, Bloomberg News for just business valuation that will lead us to 187 00:16:04,639 --> 00:16:11,440 what property certain types of properties are worth. Uh CBRE and uh 188 00:16:08,959 --> 00:16:15,440 Price Waterhouse Cooper among others. The model shows information for most of 189 00:16:13,519 --> 00:16:20,800 the industrial and commercial properties in Cook County. 190 00:16:17,519 --> 00:16:26,240 Next slide. Finally, we come to kind of a 191 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:30,639 combination of the prior two. Um, to create the valuations for mixeduse 192 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:35,680 properties, we use a combination of both the res and commercial data and it 193 00:16:33,839 --> 00:16:40,320 depends on the size and class. So, for instance, the mixeduse commercial 194 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:45,680 residential buildings under 20,000 square ft, the class 318s. 195 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:51,279 Um, you'll be able to find that information on our industrial and 196 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:57,360 commercial model. For mixeduse buildings which do not meet those parameters, 197 00:16:54,320 --> 00:17:02,160 uh, or those for class 212, the building will instead be subject to a split class 198 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:09,839 of commercial, which is class 5, and residential class two or three. Okay. 199 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:14,880 So, what I said, uh, I I I gave you some information about, um, our valuations 200 00:17:13,120 --> 00:17:19,039 and how you can tend to look at what we do in terms of mass appraisal, but in 201 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:24,480 order to find those, um, Tasha is going to point you to, uh, where that 202 00:17:21,919 --> 00:17:27,480 information will be on our website. Tasha, 203 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:36,559 » thank you. Okay, so we do have a lot of data online. I'm sure most of you have 204 00:17:35,039 --> 00:17:41,120 um reviewed some of that, but in case you hadn't for the township valuation 205 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:46,640 models where where you can find them either under data, you have valuation 206 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:51,200 reports and under how it works, a new button on our website to the left here. 207 00:17:49,120 --> 00:17:55,120 Um you cannot see my arrow, but um hopefully you can see the highlighted 208 00:17:52,559 --> 00:18:00,000 box. There you go. Thank you. Um those both are great sources for information. 209 00:17:57,360 --> 00:18:05,520 So, um, on the valuation reports, those will be by township with information. 210 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:09,440 Um, here's, uh, if you went to that that button, this is what you'll find by 211 00:18:07,679 --> 00:18:13,440 township and whether you'd like to review the residential commercial. Of 212 00:18:11,360 --> 00:18:17,919 course, you can review both, but that's where you'll find. And it includes an a 213 00:18:15,919 --> 00:18:21,520 bit of information. I think we can go to the next slide. 214 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:25,600 » I just wanted to add as well, if you scroll down in this particular page, you 215 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:29,600 can see the archived valuation reports as well. 216 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:33,520 I'm sorry. Could you speak up, Angelina? >> Oh, I'm sorry. I forget. I just wanted 217 00:18:31,679 --> 00:18:38,400 to say you could scroll down and there's archived um assessment years as well. 218 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:42,799 » That's great. And as you can see, this would be the most recent uh full 219 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:46,480 assessment year 2025. It includes things that are indicating what do things look 220 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:52,880 like. So, if you're on the residential, the single family home value compared to 221 00:18:49,120 --> 00:18:57,280 how it was in 2024 and even a pri prior years from that. And so we're seeing 222 00:18:54,799 --> 00:19:04,559 just a little bit of a softening of the market in from 675 median to 636 223 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:10,640 um in this particular Evston township I believe it is. And um condos uh same 224 00:19:07,679 --> 00:19:15,120 little bit of lower value in 2025, but it shows those median values. It shows 225 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:19,840 where things were, where they are, also some additional details. So, do uh check 226 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:22,880 those out because I know you're looking for information about how things are 227 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:29,039 going in the market, what's happening with our assessments, and it's just rich 228 00:19:25,360 --> 00:19:34,640 with um details and uh additional information about um what goes into this 229 00:19:31,679 --> 00:19:41,320 and then our sales ratio analysis. Um so, so that information uh reflects 230 00:19:37,120 --> 00:19:41,320 where things landed with the median. 231 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:49,840 And then we also have this um uh the the part to the right showed what uh the 232 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:54,400 market and where our assessments were which were close. And we also include 233 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:58,799 that additional information um if the assessments and that sales analysis if 234 00:19:57,120 --> 00:20:03,280 it's showing that the coods the coefficients of dispersion are uh 235 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:08,240 showing the uniformity is there as it should be and um lack of regressivity. 236 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:12,400 So that those details are available as well. And then we also have a lot of 237 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:15,760 information for the commercial models that are used. Um specific types of 238 00:20:14,559 --> 00:20:19,840 properties. You can pull down the worksheets. I'm going to go ahead and 239 00:20:17,360 --> 00:20:24,480 let TJ Shiml give a little bit more information on the commercial 240 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:29,039 worksheets, but it's rich with um uh details of what went into the valuation. 241 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:33,840 So it really helps you address that. And I'll let TJ say a little bit more. 242 00:20:31,360 --> 00:20:37,200 » Thank you, Tasha. Um so the next two slides are going to be on industrial 243 00:20:35,360 --> 00:20:42,240 commercial properties and the information we provide. The CCO has 244 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:47,120 published uh our underwriting and our assumptions for the vast majority of 245 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:52,400 industrial commercial properties for I think since 2021. 246 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:57,679 For 2026 it will be for the south uh townships that we'll be publishing all 247 00:20:54,720 --> 00:21:03,120 of our underwriting. To get there you're going to go to the methodology 248 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:08,000 worksheets. You can see um as we publish towns and finalize them, they will be 249 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:15,360 populated. You can also see uh prior ones from 20 uh 2025 and 2024. 250 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:18,720 I would encourage anyone to look at that first. It will give you all the 251 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:23,360 necessary information of how we underwrote it, which is the PGI, 252 00:21:20,559 --> 00:21:27,520 vacancy, operating expenses, and cap rate. Uh, one thing that will come a 253 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:32,080 little bit later and that will change on our website, it's not changed yet is 254 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:38,880 that we will be implementing a loaded cap. Um, and also on the website it will 255 00:21:36,159 --> 00:21:41,840 if you are not familiar with I think the income approach or you want to 256 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:48,440 understand how we exactly do it, there is a page that will lay out step by step 257 00:21:44,159 --> 00:21:48,440 what we do and how we do it. 258 00:21:53,039 --> 00:22:05,840 Okay, that is me. Um, thanks TJ. So, this slide uh shows you that on our 259 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:10,000 website we have um available to you the appeals overview and we'll give you a 260 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:14,080 listing of all of the the various appeals related information and links 261 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:17,280 that where you can file online. of course, our official appeal rules that 262 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:23,760 we're going through today and the video that will be posted um in the next few 263 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:28,880 days. Uh it also has our written policies, our cap rate policy, our 264 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:35,039 vacancy policy, demolition policy, and properties under construction policy. 265 00:22:30,799 --> 00:22:41,520 So, all of those are on that appeals overview um on the assessor's website 266 00:22:39,039 --> 00:22:44,640 and they're very useful. So I'm going to talk a little bit about 267 00:22:42,960 --> 00:22:48,240 key points regarding the appeals process. And again, some of this may be 268 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:51,360 very basic and rudimentary. And of course that is familiar to the 269 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:56,159 practitioners that are attending this meeting today, but not everybody is 270 00:22:53,679 --> 00:23:00,400 necessarily familiar um if you're new or maybe not a practitioner. But current 271 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:04,480 year assessments are appealed. It is the assessment that's appealed. We don't 272 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:09,200 you're not assessing property tax bills or the amounts shown on a property tax 273 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:13,520 bill. It is your assessment. Appeals of course are filed to request a correction 274 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:17,520 to the current year assessed valuation which lays the foundation for property 275 00:23:15,360 --> 00:23:22,320 taxes. It's again it's not the amount of the property tax bill. 276 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:26,799 If you do get a reduction in your assessed value that's this does not 277 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:31,200 necessarily equate to a reduction in your tax bill. It may if it is a 278 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:38,640 significant enough reduction in assessed value but is not necessarily the case. 279 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:43,760 the assessor doesn't uh the assessor um does not calculate or 280 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:50,960 mail the property tax bills and we also do not collect the property taxes. 281 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:55,840 So next, a quick tour of the 2026 rules um that we're going to go over and and 282 00:23:53,039 --> 00:23:59,039 talk to you about today. You of course will be able to find them on that 283 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:03,280 overview page that I mentioned earlier. The official appeals rules will be there 284 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:07,919 online and uh we we hope that everyone will 285 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:14,400 follow the rules. Um they are a little bit lengthy but they are pretty clear 286 00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:19,279 and fairly easy to follow. Um and we expect everybody to read and follow 287 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:23,520 them. Um and if you have questions about them, you can always reach out to any 288 00:24:21,120 --> 00:24:27,600 one of us that is on this call today or on this webinar. 289 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:30,720 So here's just the basic outline of the things that we are going to go through 290 00:24:28,799 --> 00:24:35,200 and touch on and I should say highlight specifically for the rules. Uh our 291 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:39,679 general provisions uh our filing assessment appeals representation and 292 00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:44,240 our deadlines the evidence that you have to file in support of an assessed 293 00:24:41,360 --> 00:24:48,320 evaluation appeal and that will include you know um that also applies to the 294 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:54,720 filings for certificates of error as well. many of those um or all of those 295 00:24:51,679 --> 00:24:58,720 evidence um in support of uh or excuse me class change requests. We'll talk a 296 00:24:56,400 --> 00:25:02,080 little bit about those. We'll talk very touch very briefly on omitted 297 00:25:00,159 --> 00:25:06,320 assessments. We'll talk a little bit about property tax uh or tax exempt 298 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:11,679 properties such as schools and charitable organizations and government 299 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:14,159 owned properties. Um re-reviews, corrections of factual errors, and 300 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:18,240 certificates of error. We'll talk a little bit um in more detail about those 301 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:22,559 as well. Next slide, Angelina. 302 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:26,320 So, our general provisions, some of the highlights there. Uh the general 303 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:31,039 provisions are covered in rules one through four of the rules. Um again, uh 304 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:35,279 they'll you'll find all of the forms also on our website and there's a link 305 00:25:32,799 --> 00:25:41,200 to the website here on the in our in our slideshow. We do uh expect substantial 306 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:44,960 compliance with all of our rules. Documents that are submitted should be 307 00:25:42,799 --> 00:25:47,919 legible and complete. we should be able to read them so that we don't have 308 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:53,279 difficulty reading them and they should be complete when they're when they're 309 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:57,440 filed. Um, please redact your non-public personal information that you want 310 00:25:54,799 --> 00:26:01,679 redacted from your documents because once you file them uh through our smart 311 00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:07,840 file system, they do become public record and any redactions that might 312 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:12,559 follow on those records will come um if they are ever foyed um by somebody and 313 00:26:11,039 --> 00:26:18,559 we would follow all of the rules that are um under FOYA for private and 314 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:22,080 personal information. The guidelines that we have that we will 315 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:26,720 have available on our website will also provide you some tips on redacting 316 00:26:23,760 --> 00:26:31,600 non-public personal information. Photo copies of the completed forms and 317 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:36,480 documents are accepted. Um 318 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:40,080 property inspection requests um we would just ask that you please be cooperative 319 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:43,760 with our inspectors as in the past unfortunately we have had some 320 00:26:41,360 --> 00:26:48,080 difficulties with that. It seems to be getting better. Thank you. 321 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:52,880 um and don't file proper homestead exemptions as an appeal. Our smart file 322 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:58,480 application is set up to accept appeals and certificate of error for valuations 323 00:26:55,919 --> 00:27:03,679 only. Homestead exemption filings have to be completed on our website under the 324 00:27:01,360 --> 00:27:08,960 exemptions under the tab for exemptions. There are it's a very specific and 325 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:12,400 distinct separate filing for homestead exemptions such as homeowners 326 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:16,880 exemptions, senior citizens, senior frees, disabled veterans and all of 327 00:27:14,159 --> 00:27:16,880 that. 328 00:27:17,120 --> 00:27:23,360 Next slide. So, filing assessment, appeals, 329 00:27:21,279 --> 00:27:27,520 representation, and deadlines. These are uh covered in rules 5 through 11 of our 330 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:32,000 rules. As a taxpayer, you're of course not 331 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:36,559 required to obtain representation to file an appeal before our office. There 332 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:43,919 are instructions for filing an appeal and they apply to both prosay um uh 333 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:47,120 appellants and as well as um and those who have representation. Of course, 334 00:27:45,679 --> 00:27:51,520 prosay meaning if you don't know what it means, it means you're representing 335 00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:55,520 yourself. Deadlines for filing appeals and supporting documentation are 336 00:27:53,120 --> 00:28:00,559 included in these rules and and we do post all of our our appeal deadlines on 337 00:27:58,799 --> 00:28:05,520 our website. So, you can follow that as well. important and be aware if you're 338 00:28:03,120 --> 00:28:10,559 not. Filers are also encouraged to file a brief in support of their appeal. The 339 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:16,000 narrative brief brief is helpful and our analysts do review those. 340 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:20,600 Filers should specify the estimated fair market value of the property in their 341 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,600 appeal. 342 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:27,360 Uh if the property is part of a REIT, um you should provide information regarding 343 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:31,120 the REIT, including the valuation of the property. If you don't know what a REIT 344 00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:36,080 is, it's a real estate investment trust. It's essentially a company that pulls 345 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:43,039 investments together for properties such as multif family uh office buildings and 346 00:28:39,120 --> 00:28:46,960 industrial type properties and um allows investors to pull their money together 347 00:28:44,559 --> 00:28:52,240 and can be public and if publicly traded can be um can be and has benefits. There 348 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:55,919 are pros and cons to um being part of a read, but that's basically what it is. 349 00:28:54,559 --> 00:29:00,080 um and what to do when there are multiple pins as covered in these rules. 350 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:04,880 And then there are also tips for filing condominium appeals which are um 351 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:08,760 are good and helpful tips that you should follow. Next slide. 352 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:20,559 Focus on rule number 10, which is our filing deadlines. Um please follow the 353 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:25,279 filing deadlines. Um they're they are posted on our website as I've already 354 00:29:22,159 --> 00:29:31,919 mentioned. We will not accept late filed appeals. We just won't. Um except in the 355 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:36,480 case of a smart file outage and we do try to notify practitioners if we know 356 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:40,799 about an outage. Um when you report it, we do try to notify everybody about it. 357 00:29:39,279 --> 00:29:45,279 All documents that are filed in support of an appeal should be filed or must be 358 00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:48,320 filed by the deadline. There are there's no separate deadline for evidence 359 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:54,159 submissions like the board of review has. We have you have to file everything 360 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:59,840 by the deadline. Um, and that's it. And I'm going to turn it over to Gina. 361 00:29:57,120 --> 00:30:04,880 Gina's going to tell us um about some more more rules. 362 00:30:02,159 --> 00:30:09,600 » Yes. So, this is um first major change in our rules. So, you know, we have the 363 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:13,760 fancy siren here. But anyway, uh previously we had no time limits for 364 00:30:11,919 --> 00:30:18,960 when attorneys or other representatives could file withdrawals or substitutions. 365 00:30:16,559 --> 00:30:24,320 This kind of caused a lot of chaos as we were trying to get our appeal um results 366 00:30:22,240 --> 00:30:29,039 letters out because you know these uh you substitutions were still coming in. 367 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:33,679 So we do have a new deadline now. You have to get your withdrawals and 368 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:38,320 substitutions into us no later than 14 days after the official appeal closing 369 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:42,399 deadline posted on our website. So taxpayers can still use a representative 370 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:46,640 of their choice or none. They don't have to. but on the representative must file 371 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:55,440 their withdrawal and our substitution timely. Um, next slide, please. 372 00:30:51,440 --> 00:31:01,760 Uh, Angelina, next. Oh, thank you. So, um, we're going to focus on I I'm sorry. 373 00:30:58,559 --> 00:31:05,120 Back to uh >> Thank you. 374 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:07,520 » Was this the slide? >> That's it. 375 00:31:05,679 --> 00:31:09,840 » This is This slide's fine. The other one was just kind of 376 00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:13,360 » ahead and then I couldn't get back. >> That's okay. The previous slide was just 377 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:18,320 a rundown of where some of the rules were located, but you know, um they're 378 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:23,039 located pretty much in the same places like same place as they were last year. 379 00:31:20,799 --> 00:31:26,399 So, we're going to focus on photographs this year because I'm not sure what 380 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:31,279 happened last year because the photograph rule really hasn't changed in 381 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:34,799 years, but last year suddenly there was a lot of confusion and consternation. 382 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:39,760 So, we're just going to focus on that a bit. Please note that the rule starts 383 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:44,399 out except in the case of an individual homeowner filing an appeal for their own 384 00:31:41,919 --> 00:31:48,640 residence. So no, your neighbor does not have to go around taking pictures of the 385 00:31:46,159 --> 00:31:55,279 whole neighborhood in order to file an appeal on based on their own home. Okay. 386 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:59,679 However, for the for all of the others, um you have to include a photograph of 387 00:31:57,919 --> 00:32:03,440 front of the subject property. It should be in color and date stamped within one 388 00:32:01,919 --> 00:32:06,880 year of the lean date. You don't need fancy equipment. you can just use your 389 00:32:05,039 --> 00:32:11,200 cell phone. And if you're not sure how to make your cell phone date stamp 390 00:32:08,559 --> 00:32:15,679 stuff, I don't, for example, um you can use our addestation form to say when you 391 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:20,320 took it. So the addestation form just needs to say, you know, Mike Mike Smith 392 00:32:17,840 --> 00:32:25,039 took these photos on January 12th or whatever. You know, real simple. So I 393 00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:29,440 just wanted to again remind everyone that this rule starts out except in the 394 00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:35,600 case of an individual homeowner file an appeal for their own residence. And uh 395 00:32:32,559 --> 00:32:35,600 next slide, please. 396 00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:44,799 Okay. So, purchase and sales price. Now, if the property is sold within the last 397 00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:49,279 two years, documents required by rule 13, you know, purchase and sales apply. 398 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:52,720 Even if your valuation argument is not based on the purchase price. So, if it's 399 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,360 sold in the last two years, whether you're ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar 400 00:32:53,279 --> 00:32:53,360 ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar 401 00:32:53,360 --> 00:32:56,640 ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar ar argguing purchase price or not, 402 00:32:55,120 --> 00:33:00,320 you need to provide those documents showing that it's sold. like enforced 403 00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:04,159 sales, you might have like a bankruptcy order, a order approving sale from a 404 00:33:02,399 --> 00:33:09,600 foreclosure case, maybe a partition order. There's all kinds of different 405 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:13,679 things. Um, if it's a uh traditional closing, uh provide us with a deed, 406 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:18,240 purchase and sale agreement, closing statements, and the Pax 203 if any 407 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:22,399 personal property is included. Um, you will also need to identify all parties 408 00:33:20,159 --> 00:33:28,960 to the transaction, and any relationship between them must be identified. Um, in 409 00:33:25,519 --> 00:33:33,039 the case of um, arguing for a reduction in sales price, a well organized brief 410 00:33:31,279 --> 00:33:37,440 is helpful where you talk about the parties, their relationship if any, and 411 00:33:35,919 --> 00:33:41,279 then just talk a little bit about why should we why should we adopt the sales 412 00:33:39,360 --> 00:33:45,360 price as a fair market valuation because there is that prohibition on sales 413 00:33:43,039 --> 00:33:50,559 chasing. So just keep it real really well organized, tight and tell us why. 414 00:33:48,080 --> 00:33:56,640 And then I am going to go ahead and turn this over to Mike. 415 00:33:53,200 --> 00:34:02,480 Thank you, Gina. So, um you heard what Gina just said. If it's a force sale, it 416 00:33:59,919 --> 00:34:08,639 doesn't preclude you from using it, but um we need some explanation as to why. 417 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:15,440 If you're going to submit an appraisal to uh back up your essentially your case 418 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:20,000 for a lower valuation, um you must also provide the other 419 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:24,079 appraisals that may have been out there. Any that were prepared for that 420 00:34:22,159 --> 00:34:29,599 particular subject property within the past 2 years of the lean date. All 421 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:34,960 appraisals must be credible. And by credible, we mean use path compliant and 422 00:34:32,720 --> 00:34:41,200 pertain to the property's highest and best use, which is at the top of the 423 00:34:37,040 --> 00:34:45,679 list of use path compliant. The appraisal must provide all pins for the 424 00:34:43,440 --> 00:34:50,159 subject property and the pins for all properties used as comps. And you heard 425 00:34:47,440 --> 00:34:55,599 Christina talk about rules for um multiple pins. So uh typically for 426 00:34:53,200 --> 00:35:01,440 residential properties, one address equals one pin typically. For commercial 427 00:34:58,720 --> 00:35:07,520 properties, we may have anywhere from two to 100 pins on a large commercial 428 00:35:04,880 --> 00:35:11,920 property. And we want to make sure that when you submit your appeal, we're 429 00:35:09,280 --> 00:35:17,040 making an applesto apples comparison. So, please provide all the pins. All 430 00:35:14,720 --> 00:35:21,760 appraisals must be based on available and reasonable market data with 431 00:35:19,359 --> 00:35:25,680 appropriate adjustments applied. No creative, and we use the term 432 00:35:23,680 --> 00:35:29,520 cherry-picking, please. And I'll explain what that means in the next slide a 433 00:35:27,440 --> 00:35:35,359 little bit. But all appraisals using the income approach to market value must use 434 00:35:32,320 --> 00:35:42,839 cap rate based on relevant current market data and particularly if using a 435 00:35:38,240 --> 00:35:42,839 loaded cap rate. Next slide. 436 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:50,800 All comps used should be comparable to the subject. So this is what I was just 437 00:35:47,920 --> 00:35:56,800 referring to. We're looking for in your comps your list of comps. um you should 438 00:35:53,760 --> 00:36:02,720 be using properties that are of similar size, class, characteristics, and 439 00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:09,040 location. That doesn't mean it has to be in the same location or the same size, 440 00:36:05,920 --> 00:36:14,000 but similar, which is for our purposes kind of synonymous with the term 441 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:19,599 comparable. Do not ignore the sale right next door in favor of a lower comp that 442 00:36:17,200 --> 00:36:24,960 helps make your case that's a mile away if there's one next door. So again, no 443 00:36:22,000 --> 00:36:30,240 cherry-picking, please. And and this is not uh something new we've added to our 444 00:36:27,680 --> 00:36:34,640 policy, but we feel we have to reiterate it because uh we get appeals that are 445 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:40,000 submitted with a lot of information about why we should adjust the market 446 00:36:36,640 --> 00:36:44,560 value. But when uh Rey, who handles the residential, and TJ, who handles the 447 00:36:42,720 --> 00:36:50,000 commercial, when their staff look at the appeals, they're looking for similar 448 00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:55,280 comps, and that's very important. Filers must include a recent photo of the 449 00:36:52,880 --> 00:37:02,400 subject and each comp used and include the pins for each. But see rule 12, 450 00:36:59,680 --> 00:37:08,400 as Gina just talked about, photographs. Again, sale comps should be armslength 451 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:14,160 transactions for fair market value. And we all know what arms length means. If 452 00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:19,440 using again if using a force sale as a sales comp, please explain why it's a 453 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:24,640 good indicator of fair market value and apply the appropriate adjustments. Next 454 00:37:22,240 --> 00:37:29,359 slide. So finally with income producing 455 00:37:27,119 --> 00:37:33,359 properties uh I mentioned earlier that we are updating our cap rate policy. 456 00:37:31,599 --> 00:37:37,920 TJ's going to talk about that in a minute. But income producing property 457 00:37:36,079 --> 00:37:44,000 that's defined as a parcel in which either entirely or partially non-ownero 458 00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:49,920 occupied and generates some rental income. Hotels and motel are included 459 00:37:47,359 --> 00:37:56,079 even if they're owner occupied. Class 211 and class 212 however are not 460 00:37:52,720 --> 00:38:01,359 included. The arpie we don't we don't use that anymore. It's no longer a 461 00:37:57,920 --> 00:38:05,359 separate form. Um but it is built into smart file. So when you submit, it's 462 00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:09,280 built in there. So you can submit the information we're looking for on there, 463 00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:15,440 which is basically prior 3 years of income and expense information. Um, 464 00:38:12,400 --> 00:38:20,000 redact anything you need to. If you or your client do not have this 465 00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:25,920 information, please use our attestation form to explain why. Complete copies, 466 00:38:23,359 --> 00:38:30,800 complete copies of leases are preferred. But if you don't have that, include 467 00:38:28,079 --> 00:38:35,359 complete lease summaries. all parties to the lease, the rental amount, the 468 00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:42,000 identification of the space leased and by unit number, square footage rented, 469 00:38:38,560 --> 00:38:47,119 net gross parties responsible for paying property tax. So, um, we talked about 470 00:38:44,960 --> 00:38:53,280 our cap rate policy adjustments. Let's talk about cap rates. TJ, 471 00:38:50,720 --> 00:39:00,160 » thank you, Mike. Um so the big one of the biggest changes 472 00:38:55,839 --> 00:39:05,280 in 2026 will be the COA assessor will be implementing a loaded cap rate. Um in 473 00:39:02,880 --> 00:39:09,440 the previous years we have had tax expenses as part of the operating 474 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:14,079 expenses and we did not load the cap. This year we will be doing that for all 475 00:39:12,079 --> 00:39:19,680 all appeals regardless of it's the south, the city or the north. Um, a tax 476 00:39:17,599 --> 00:39:23,839 load hopefully most people are familiar with. It will take into consideration a 477 00:39:22,160 --> 00:39:28,160 property's local level assessment, the property's uh or the state's 478 00:39:25,599 --> 00:39:33,760 equalization factor, and the estimated 2026 tax rate. When we're talking about 479 00:39:31,599 --> 00:39:40,480 specific tax rates, I'm going to start with the South. uh looking at the south 480 00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:46,240 over the past I would say you know 10 to 12 years the largest decreases in tax 481 00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:50,400 rates always happen on reassessment years and then they creep back up then 482 00:39:47,920 --> 00:39:57,119 they go back down. Data science has looked at this and the best method that 483 00:39:53,680 --> 00:40:04,720 we found for this year is to def is to revert back to or to go back to the 2023 484 00:40:01,200 --> 00:40:09,520 tax rate for south townships. So the rate that it was in 2023, that final tax 485 00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:11,359 rate is what we're going to use for south townships. 486 00:40:11,040 --> 00:40:16,160 » Yeah. >> For the city, we are going to use the 487 00:40:13,680 --> 00:40:22,160 2024 tax rate, which is the most current. And for the north townships, 488 00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:28,960 because we do not have an updated tax rate after the uh 2025 assessment right 489 00:40:25,359 --> 00:40:37,839 now, we are going to use our 2025 estimated tax tax rates. Uh to make this 490 00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:44,240 simpler, we are going to publish every taxing district's effective tax rate and 491 00:40:41,680 --> 00:40:49,359 estimated tax rate. that will be on our website in the next uh couple of weeks 492 00:40:47,280 --> 00:40:54,560 and then that is something that you can uh go to look at and hopefully 493 00:40:51,440 --> 00:40:57,920 incorporate into the field. >> I'm going to go ahead and turn it over 494 00:40:55,760 --> 00:41:06,240 to Tasha who's going to go who's going to talk about I believe common area. 495 00:41:02,079 --> 00:41:08,240 » Uh that's me. Oh, is it >> whatever. 496 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:12,640 » My bad. Sorry. >> That's okay. Thanks. 497 00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:17,760 Common area. So common area. What is that? Common area is a is a specific 498 00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:23,680 valuation um type. It's a dollar assessed 499 00:41:20,560 --> 00:41:32,240 valuation that is governed under section 10-35 of the property tax code. Common 500 00:41:27,280 --> 00:41:37,599 area is for condominium common areas. Typically, uh that's what we see. Um 501 00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:42,480 common areas are things like landscaped areas that are used by all of the owners 502 00:41:39,760 --> 00:41:49,200 in a in a condominium. um or you know pools and you know you 503 00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:53,839 know a gym uh facility that's can be used by all of the residents of a of a 504 00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:58,640 condominium building. But uses use of the property for common 505 00:41:56,720 --> 00:42:02,800 area purposes is only one element of common area. The rights of all of the 506 00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:06,480 individual owners as I mentioned is to use and enjoy the common area and it has 507 00:42:04,640 --> 00:42:10,480 to be reflected in some document that we need to see such as a deed, a 508 00:42:07,839 --> 00:42:15,200 declaration, an easements etc. These documents have to establish that the 509 00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:20,319 individual owner's rights um are exclusive uh to the exclusive use of 510 00:42:17,599 --> 00:42:24,240 those common areas on the property. Uh again, evidence can include or should 511 00:42:22,560 --> 00:42:28,000 must include deeds, declarations, amendments or similar documents which 512 00:42:25,760 --> 00:42:31,359 designate the property as common area. Please just make sure that you correct 513 00:42:29,599 --> 00:42:36,240 or that you include the correct legal description of the property. Um, and 514 00:42:33,920 --> 00:42:39,359 affidavit of use can be used and submitted. And while they're they're 515 00:42:37,599 --> 00:42:44,800 helpful, they are not on their own convincing. Uh, filers should provide 516 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:50,240 these documents. Um, our office cannot obtain these documents from the clerk's 517 00:42:46,720 --> 00:42:56,079 office on your behalf. And that turns over back to 518 00:42:54,720 --> 00:43:00,880 » Thank you. >> Yes. 519 00:42:57,839 --> 00:43:04,560 » Rule 18, land valuation. The CCO generally values land at market value 520 00:43:02,880 --> 00:43:08,640 per square foot. There are some exceptions that have special 521 00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:14,720 assessments. Uh farmland, open space, unbuildable. 522 00:43:10,400 --> 00:43:20,720 Um when we look at land valuation, I want to impress that it is the 523 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:25,040 underlying zoning that determines the land value more than anything else. It's 524 00:43:23,040 --> 00:43:31,040 not the use, it's the zoning because that's what the land could be used for. 525 00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:35,599 So if you are in a commercial zoning, if you have a commercial zoned property and 526 00:43:33,839 --> 00:43:40,480 you want to appeal on land, you want to find other land parcels that are 527 00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:45,760 commercial zoned. They you don't want to get one that's zoned industrial but used 528 00:43:42,720 --> 00:43:51,920 as commercial. So make sure that you are submitting land comps that mirror the 529 00:43:49,520 --> 00:43:56,800 zoning type. And for the Cook County assessor, the main zoning types are 530 00:43:53,680 --> 00:44:02,480 industrial, commercial, and residential or multifamily. 531 00:43:59,760 --> 00:44:07,599 Uh, FEMA flood plane information. We have a lot of that already. If you are 532 00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:13,599 in a FEMA flood plane, please feel free to appeal, but tell me exactly why it's 533 00:44:10,160 --> 00:44:18,319 unbuildable or can't be. There is a big difference between 534 00:44:16,240 --> 00:44:21,680 um different flood planes. Just because you're in a flood plane doesn't 535 00:44:19,599 --> 00:44:26,400 necessarily mean it's unbuildable. Give me give us the entire story of what can 536 00:44:24,000 --> 00:44:33,040 or can't be done there. Unimproved land due to demolition. U how 537 00:44:29,760 --> 00:44:38,480 we do this is if there was a building on a on a property we see that it was 538 00:44:35,599 --> 00:44:44,000 demoed. We will go and look at aerials and try to figure out the first time 539 00:44:41,040 --> 00:44:49,440 that the demolition started and then we will give that property 100 class value 540 00:44:47,680 --> 00:44:55,440 from that time on. We call a date proration. If on appeal you want to 541 00:44:52,400 --> 00:45:01,119 provide the demolition permit, we will go back to that date assuming that 542 00:44:58,480 --> 00:45:05,520 demolition has been started and there's proof that the entire or all the 543 00:45:03,680 --> 00:45:09,359 structures on that property will be demolished. 544 00:45:07,040 --> 00:45:14,880 So when you're submitting that I would say uh demolition permits photos any 545 00:45:13,200 --> 00:45:19,839 other justification so that we can clearly see the dates will help us give 546 00:45:17,599 --> 00:45:27,119 that date proration of changing it from an improved parcel to 100 class. One 547 00:45:24,000 --> 00:45:32,720 note is that your specific class for that year will not change if there is a 548 00:45:30,240 --> 00:45:39,680 date proration for a building. If you have 10 days of a building and we value 549 00:45:36,560 --> 00:45:45,839 it as a say a 318 for 10 days, the property will be overall be a 318 class, 550 00:45:43,599 --> 00:45:52,240 but it will be date parrated for only 10 days. 551 00:45:47,839 --> 00:45:57,280 Uh land square foot issues. Um the CCAO is not the I would say the owner of the 552 00:45:54,480 --> 00:46:02,400 land records. uh the clerk does if there's any discrepancies between the 553 00:45:59,839 --> 00:46:06,880 land square feet that we have, we will check the the clerk's records and 554 00:46:05,200 --> 00:46:11,839 anything where there's a large discrepancy. Um if we can go and look at 555 00:46:10,160 --> 00:46:16,079 it and it looks like there is an error, we will check with the clerk. But if 556 00:46:14,079 --> 00:46:20,319 you're saying that, you know, this part doesn't belong to me, but the clerk says 557 00:46:17,680 --> 00:46:26,240 it does, all those should try to be resolved with the clerk and then sent 558 00:46:21,920 --> 00:46:31,440 in. We do not most of the time make land changes from the clerk. 559 00:46:29,280 --> 00:46:35,280 » And then there's rule 18 for handling of land square feet discrepancies. Uh for 560 00:46:33,440 --> 00:46:40,079 anyone who wants to specifically read that I think we're going to go on to the 561 00:46:38,079 --> 00:46:44,240 next slide and I believe that's also me. Yes. 562 00:46:41,520 --> 00:46:50,800 » Ongoing construction. Um, this is one of the most complex and I would say 563 00:46:47,119 --> 00:46:55,200 detailed valuations that we do. As properties are under construction, the 564 00:46:52,880 --> 00:47:00,319 value of that changes because as you build and as you get more of the 565 00:46:57,520 --> 00:47:05,839 property completed, the value will increase. Um, you know, a building 566 00:47:02,560 --> 00:47:10,079 doesn't go from zero value to a million dollars when the certificate of occupy 567 00:47:08,079 --> 00:47:14,560 is issued. I will first try to give it verbally 568 00:47:12,560 --> 00:47:18,720 give an overview but I would ask anyone who wants to see this read the policy 569 00:47:17,280 --> 00:47:24,000 first reach out to our office if you don't understand it this is complex but 570 00:47:21,359 --> 00:47:32,800 the easiest way to describe it is it is a straight line value ad. So we estimate 571 00:47:30,160 --> 00:47:37,760 the com well we need the completion date and then we estimate what the value of 572 00:47:34,720 --> 00:47:42,880 the property will be as complete using today's inputs. 573 00:47:40,240 --> 00:47:47,839 If we say that the building excluding the land is worth a million dollars and 574 00:47:45,680 --> 00:47:55,119 it's going to take 10 10 months to complete it. We cut that up so every 575 00:47:51,119 --> 00:47:59,119 month you get an extra 100,000 in value. During that time period though, we 576 00:47:56,560 --> 00:48:02,640 realized that you are gaining value, but you're incomplete. So, there would be a 577 00:48:00,800 --> 00:48:09,119 deduction for that. So, we actually cut that in half and then we average it. I 578 00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:13,920 know what I'm saying is complex and some people might be scratching their head. 579 00:48:11,920 --> 00:48:17,920 Read the policy. There's some a lot of good information on it and then feel 580 00:48:16,160 --> 00:48:26,559 free to reach out. But the easiest way to say is that we estimate it on a value 581 00:48:20,480 --> 00:48:31,760 ad um a value ad model that as as every month goes on and on, we add value and 582 00:48:29,359 --> 00:48:36,559 then we average it. >> And I'm going to go ahead then and turn 583 00:48:33,839 --> 00:48:41,760 this over to I believe Gina. >> Yes. Yes. 584 00:48:38,960 --> 00:48:48,319 » Okay. So we have updated the vacancy rule and also vacancy policy. So another 585 00:48:45,119 --> 00:48:52,640 rule change alert. uh but still uh we only grant 24 months of vacancy 586 00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:56,480 reductions due to any single event. So that hasn't changed. And the types of 587 00:48:54,559 --> 00:49:01,040 evidence that we generally require are still our completed vacancy occupancy 588 00:48:58,640 --> 00:49:04,559 affidavit. If you have an affidavit form that you prefer to use, that's fine. 589 00:49:03,119 --> 00:49:09,760 Just make sure it gives us the same information. Um interior and exterior 590 00:49:07,599 --> 00:49:13,839 photographs documenting the vacancy. And again, there should be a date and they 591 00:49:11,760 --> 00:49:17,760 should be in color. Um, if you don't have a date stamp photograph, use that 592 00:49:15,440 --> 00:49:21,760 add a stationation form. And also, please do not try to submit video. We 593 00:49:20,000 --> 00:49:26,960 cannot accept video evidence, unfortunately. And then, uh, income and 594 00:49:24,559 --> 00:49:30,400 expense information for income producing properties. If for some reason you don't 595 00:49:29,040 --> 00:49:35,200 have this information because I don't know, maybe it's a new business, go 596 00:49:32,079 --> 00:49:41,280 ahead and state that. Then we know. Uh, next slide please. So then what is it 597 00:49:38,160 --> 00:49:46,079 that we changed? Okay. So we've expanded the reasons for vacancy based arguments. 598 00:49:44,000 --> 00:49:51,119 Um there's casualty related vacancy which applies to residential and 599 00:49:47,760 --> 00:49:55,599 incomeroucing properties. Um and this is damage due to natural disasters, fire or 600 00:49:53,440 --> 00:49:59,680 flooding. Key evidence for this would include reports detailing the damage 601 00:49:57,440 --> 00:50:04,160 such as you know fire report, maybe police report, insurance claim report, 602 00:50:02,400 --> 00:50:09,680 uh you know adjuster reports, things like that. Insurance claim information 603 00:50:06,160 --> 00:50:14,240 is helpful. There's marketbased vacancy and that's uh applies to incomeroucing 604 00:50:12,160 --> 00:50:19,440 properties and that means the property is experiencing a higher than market 605 00:50:16,480 --> 00:50:25,119 vacancy. You can look at our model online to see what um what vacancy we've 606 00:50:22,800 --> 00:50:28,800 already applied to your property. And if your, you know, properties got something 607 00:50:27,280 --> 00:50:34,240 higher than that, well, this might be a type of um this might be a type of um 608 00:50:32,160 --> 00:50:38,480 appeal you should consider. But basically, we'd be looking for completed 609 00:50:36,000 --> 00:50:43,440 rent roll, leases, and proof of marketing for lease or sale of the 610 00:50:40,720 --> 00:50:48,720 property. Now, what we've added then is renovation related vacancy. Um, and this 611 00:50:46,880 --> 00:50:52,640 applies to incomeroucing properties only. And you know, sometimes your 612 00:50:50,720 --> 00:50:56,400 building it's getting old and crummy. You know, tenants don't really want to 613 00:50:54,319 --> 00:51:01,440 rent it. Well, and you need to rent renovate it to make it nice so that 614 00:50:58,079 --> 00:51:05,359 tenants come in. Okay, we we will um we will look at that type of vacancy as 615 00:51:03,040 --> 00:51:09,839 well. So, key evidence there would be contractor statements, permits, and 616 00:51:07,280 --> 00:51:15,040 estimated construction timeline. Please do read our um vacancy policy because 617 00:51:13,200 --> 00:51:19,839 you know I I can't go through every single thing here but our policy is 618 00:51:16,640 --> 00:51:25,280 pretty detailed. Um I'm not sure if it's on our website yet but it will be within 619 00:51:21,760 --> 00:51:28,839 a couple of days if it is next. Okay. Um next slide please. 620 00:51:29,040 --> 00:51:35,839 Okay. So class change requests are covered by rule 21. Um, some of the most 621 00:51:33,599 --> 00:51:41,680 common types of class change requests we get are within class 2 and also class 5 622 00:51:38,400 --> 00:51:45,920 to 212 or 318. This rule covers those and then other also other non-incentive 623 00:51:43,839 --> 00:51:49,359 class change requests. So depending on what you're asking for, be sure to look 624 00:51:47,599 --> 00:51:53,040 at this rule and see exactly what we want. But generally, we're going to be 625 00:51:51,119 --> 00:51:58,079 asking for photograph photographs complying with rule 12, building details 626 00:51:55,760 --> 00:52:02,319 such as the floor plan, uh square footage, room count, usage, uh the unit 627 00:52:00,720 --> 00:52:07,359 count, you know, how many commercial units, how many residential units, uh 628 00:52:04,880 --> 00:52:11,760 show that there's separate entrances and utility meters for mixed use and 629 00:52:09,520 --> 00:52:16,480 multi-unit properties. So, let's say you bought some big house, you decided to 630 00:52:14,240 --> 00:52:21,359 turn it into a two or three flat. Be sure to show us that there's separate 631 00:52:17,760 --> 00:52:25,839 entrances. um zoning information, leases or current rent roles, and if it's an 632 00:52:23,280 --> 00:52:33,119 incomeroucing property, please follow rule 16 as well. Uh next slide, please. 633 00:52:31,040 --> 00:52:36,960 Now, there's also class changes as we know for various other types of 634 00:52:35,040 --> 00:52:40,720 properties like class 4 for not for profofits. There's all the incentive 635 00:52:38,880 --> 00:52:44,559 classes, particularly six, seven, and eight. There's a lot of other types of 636 00:52:42,240 --> 00:52:48,400 incentives. Um so, be sure to check out our incentives page to see if anything 637 00:52:46,720 --> 00:52:52,880 might apply for your client. and then also the affordable housing. So, while 638 00:52:50,800 --> 00:52:56,160 this rule doesn't specifically give you all the evidence, you know, all the 639 00:52:54,480 --> 00:53:01,200 rules that you need to get those types of classes, it directs you to where you 640 00:52:58,640 --> 00:53:06,079 should look. So, look there, see what it is that we want, and then if you have 641 00:53:02,960 --> 00:53:11,520 questions, of course, reach out. So, I am going to go ahead and turn this over 642 00:53:08,960 --> 00:53:16,240 to Christina. Thanks, Gina. Uh, so some other useful 643 00:53:14,160 --> 00:53:22,319 rules. Rule 22 covers omitted assessments. Um omitted assessments are 644 00:53:19,680 --> 00:53:28,720 assessments that are charged um in a current year but are for previous years. 645 00:53:26,480 --> 00:53:33,119 The previous years we can assess both land and improvements or we can say we 646 00:53:31,520 --> 00:53:40,800 only you know we didn't assess an improvement or we didn't assess a a land 647 00:53:36,960 --> 00:53:45,200 um the appeal uh if you're appealing an omitted assessment you can only appeal 648 00:53:42,880 --> 00:53:53,119 it in the year that the warrant was issued. So if we issued omitted 649 00:53:47,280 --> 00:53:58,319 assessments in 2025 for tax years 2024, 23, and 22, you can only file an appeal 650 00:53:56,319 --> 00:54:02,720 in 2025. Any years that you want to challenge an 651 00:54:00,640 --> 00:54:09,520 omitted assessment after that year have to be filed as a certificate of error. 652 00:54:06,000 --> 00:54:14,079 Um so again, look at rule 22 on omitted assessments. And then um there's some 653 00:54:11,359 --> 00:54:17,920 guidance um on bonafide purchaser defense as well. That's important and 654 00:54:16,240 --> 00:54:23,520 useful. Rule 23 covers exempt properties. These 655 00:54:21,119 --> 00:54:30,640 are the nonhomestead exemptions that apply to properties such as churches, 656 00:54:26,640 --> 00:54:35,119 schools, um parks and libraries, charitable organizations, religious 657 00:54:33,200 --> 00:54:40,720 institutions, um properties owned by state, local and 658 00:54:38,079 --> 00:54:44,880 federal governments, burial grounds are included as well. And then there are 659 00:54:42,880 --> 00:54:49,680 some other ones is but those are the main those are the big ones. Um taxable 660 00:54:47,520 --> 00:54:56,480 lease holds fall under this rule as well because uh and leaseold is of course a 661 00:54:52,720 --> 00:55:00,720 legal term of art that uh is for certain types of exempt property owners uh when 662 00:54:59,119 --> 00:55:06,079 they lease out space. So if the University of Illinois leases out space 663 00:55:04,000 --> 00:55:11,839 on their property and they have an exemption on that property that that 664 00:55:07,760 --> 00:55:17,359 that lease hold estate can be taxable. It depends on the terms of the agreement 665 00:55:15,119 --> 00:55:24,240 between the University of Illinois in this example that I'm using and the lei. 666 00:55:20,480 --> 00:55:29,599 Sometimes those terms will in fact uh define um rather than a taxable lease 667 00:55:26,800 --> 00:55:36,000 hold a license to use which means it is not taxable. So it's really important 668 00:55:31,839 --> 00:55:40,240 that you get us those leases um uh so that we can review them and determine 669 00:55:37,760 --> 00:55:46,800 whether it's a taxable leaseold or a non-t taxable license to use. Rule 24 is 670 00:55:44,640 --> 00:55:51,119 covers the fact that we do not do re-reviews. 671 00:55:48,400 --> 00:55:54,799 Uh if you have an issue, um you can always appeal of course to the board of 672 00:55:53,200 --> 00:55:58,240 review or if there's something really glaring or egregious that you really 673 00:55:56,480 --> 00:56:04,640 feel like we got it wrong, you can reach out to us. Rule 25 covers correction of 674 00:56:01,440 --> 00:56:09,040 factual errors and rule 26 covers the property location errors. And of course 675 00:56:06,480 --> 00:56:14,160 those in that includes, you know, if you think that the address for your property 676 00:56:11,119 --> 00:56:18,720 that we currently show as the the actual address of the property, if it's showing 677 00:56:16,559 --> 00:56:25,640 incorrectly in our system, that's what you follow rule 26 uh for in order to 678 00:56:21,520 --> 00:56:25,640 correct. Next slide. 679 00:56:28,240 --> 00:56:34,319 Certificates of error under rule 27. These are for valuationbased 680 00:56:31,920 --> 00:56:37,839 certificates of error. So you cannot these are this does not cover 681 00:56:36,240 --> 00:56:41,040 certificates of error for homestead exemptions like the homeowner, senior 682 00:56:39,359 --> 00:56:44,720 citizen, senior freeze. Of course those are separate from the valuationbased 683 00:56:42,559 --> 00:56:51,680 certificates of error. These types of certificates of error can be filed um 684 00:56:48,079 --> 00:56:55,599 you know on online and they are these are while CFVS that are intended to be a 685 00:56:53,760 --> 00:57:00,319 mechanism for the assessor to correct their own errors in past tax years. Of 686 00:56:57,680 --> 00:57:03,760 course, it's grown into um a much more robust system for taxpayers to address 687 00:57:02,160 --> 00:57:08,640 prior year issues that they have with their valuations. You can request a CV 688 00:57:06,559 --> 00:57:15,200 in Cook County for any perceived error or mistake uh under section 14-15 of the 689 00:57:12,640 --> 00:57:19,920 property tax code. Of course, the your certificate of error requests are not do 690 00:57:17,280 --> 00:57:24,079 not guarantee you a reduction. Um counties outside of Cook County uh are 691 00:57:22,480 --> 00:57:28,400 limited to certificates of error based on factual errors only. But here in 692 00:57:25,839 --> 00:57:36,400 Cooko County, the statute says any error or mistake. Next slide. 693 00:57:32,319 --> 00:57:39,920 Some tips for under rule 27. I mentioned that CVS of course can be 694 00:57:38,400 --> 00:57:44,960 filed online and many of you already know that. Um they can be filed with a 695 00:57:42,720 --> 00:57:49,839 current year appeal or as a standalone filing. Rule 27 covers the filing 696 00:57:48,160 --> 00:57:53,760 instructions for this. If you're filing your certificate of error with a current 697 00:57:51,599 --> 00:57:59,040 assess current year assessment appeal, you can file both directly through our 698 00:57:56,480 --> 00:58:05,599 smart file application. If you're filing CVs as a standalone COVE outside of the 699 00:58:02,000 --> 00:58:09,599 township window for um for appeals, you have to email that to the email address 700 00:58:07,440 --> 00:58:14,319 that's indicated in rule 27. Unfortunately, we don't have a 701 00:58:10,799 --> 00:58:20,000 standalone filing system. Uh but we can upload those through our FOY team 702 00:58:17,680 --> 00:58:25,119 or our FOY team can upload them uh to our system. Uh but we do strongly 703 00:58:22,960 --> 00:58:28,400 recommend that you do file your C CVs with a current year appeal because it's 704 00:58:26,559 --> 00:58:32,480 really just a lot easier for our office to track and to and to review the CVs at 705 00:58:31,280 --> 00:58:36,720 the same time that they're filing a current year appeal or reviewing current 706 00:58:34,559 --> 00:58:39,920 year appeals. They should be submitted with the same types of supporting 707 00:58:38,240 --> 00:58:44,400 documentation for appeals that you'll find in rule covered in rules 12 through 708 00:58:42,000 --> 00:58:49,920 21 of the rules. If you file a certificate of error without evidence, 709 00:58:46,799 --> 00:58:54,640 you're pretty unlikely to succeed. Certificates of error, which are the 710 00:58:51,440 --> 00:59:00,160 same basic filing that um either the cert uh assessor's office or the board 711 00:58:57,920 --> 00:59:04,880 of review has already no changed are also unlikely to succeed. Certificates 712 00:59:03,200 --> 00:59:10,559 of error for tax years that are pending at PTAB or the circuit court are also 713 00:59:08,480 --> 00:59:13,599 unlikely to succeed except in some limited circumstances. And if you have 714 00:59:12,240 --> 00:59:18,319 questions about that, you can reach out to us 715 00:59:15,760 --> 00:59:21,880 after the webinar. And next slide. 716 00:59:23,280 --> 00:59:30,240 All right. Certificates of filing deadlines. Um, section 14-15C 717 00:59:28,319 --> 00:59:35,760 of the property tax code governs the deadlines for most valuationbased CVs. 718 00:59:33,119 --> 00:59:39,520 And this it's not just three years prior to the current year. It's 3 years after 719 00:59:37,839 --> 00:59:45,040 the date on which the annual judgment and order of sale for that tax year was 720 00:59:41,520 --> 00:59:50,960 first entered. Meaning so if you uh you know for uh let's say the last tax sale 721 00:59:47,359 --> 00:59:58,000 that occurred was for the 2022 tax year and that happened in December of 2024. 722 00:59:54,640 --> 01:00:03,520 So 3 years means includes those three years after that date 723 01:00:00,960 --> 01:00:08,720 uh or prior that right after the sale date. Um we met we tal I talked briefly 724 01:00:06,559 --> 01:00:15,119 earlier about common area that section is governed by section 14-15D. 725 01:00:11,599 --> 01:00:19,119 Um, basically what you can file a certificate of error for it goes it was 726 01:00:17,359 --> 01:00:24,160 a there was an amendment made last year to section 14-15. 727 01:00:21,760 --> 01:00:28,480 I believe it was last year. Um, that basically it's basically about 20 years 728 01:00:26,559 --> 01:00:31,920 um and of course there are certain things you know requirements that you 729 01:00:30,079 --> 01:00:36,400 have to meet to satisfy that to get the common area for the 20 years prior but 730 01:00:34,400 --> 01:00:41,520 um tax generally taxes that are older than 20 years are not collectible. 731 01:00:39,200 --> 01:00:46,160 Uh, exempt properties are governed under section 14-25A. 732 01:00:44,000 --> 01:00:50,079 Um, it's three years prior to the date of the Idor determinations. When you get 733 01:00:48,160 --> 01:00:54,880 an a letter from the Illinois Department of Revenue, it will say it will identify 734 01:00:52,640 --> 01:01:01,680 an assessment year in that letter. If so, if the assessment year in the letter 735 01:00:56,640 --> 01:01:05,359 is 2025, it's three years prior to 2025. Um, and you'd file a certificate of 736 01:01:03,280 --> 01:01:11,920 error for those three prior years. If we get the letter after 2025 and 26, we 737 01:01:08,400 --> 01:01:15,920 would apply it um on in 2026 and going forward. Um and then we could also 738 01:01:13,839 --> 01:01:21,280 correct for 25 and then any prior years prior to 2025. Again, if you have 739 01:01:18,559 --> 01:01:25,359 questions about it, let me know. And then I'm going to turn it over to Gina 740 01:01:22,960 --> 01:01:29,200 to or no, um Tasha had a few things she wanted to say first before Gina finishes 741 01:01:27,760 --> 01:01:32,640 up for us. >> This will be brief. I know we've covered 742 01:01:30,960 --> 01:01:37,280 a lot of material, but I know that there's questions uh surrounding the 743 01:01:34,880 --> 01:01:44,480 valuation CVs and perhaps even exemption CVES, but um we are working uh speedily 744 01:01:42,000 --> 01:01:48,559 on those. There there was a number there were a number of months where we simply 745 01:01:46,400 --> 01:01:53,839 could not process the certificate of errors while transitioning from the 746 01:01:50,880 --> 01:01:58,079 mainframe and 400 system to is world for CVs. I mean it was a longer period than 747 01:01:55,920 --> 01:02:02,319 we had hoped, but as soon as that process was available, of course, you 748 01:02:00,000 --> 01:02:07,680 know, making sure testing and then starting to work um with it in December 749 01:02:05,839 --> 01:02:13,359 of 2025. Um it's been where staff has been 750 01:02:10,400 --> 01:02:19,520 trained and they are working uh very efficiently to get as many CVs worked 751 01:02:16,480 --> 01:02:26,240 and decided as possible. We are focused on 2020s in particular because there was 752 01:02:22,799 --> 01:02:29,680 actually a deadline in November of 2025 based on what Christina just reviewed 753 01:02:28,240 --> 01:02:34,160 about the statute and the tax sale timing. But because of this problem that 754 01:02:32,400 --> 01:02:37,920 we were prohibited from being able to work the CVs, um we sought the 755 01:02:36,480 --> 01:02:43,839 assistance of the state's attorney's office and the court and got a reprieve 756 01:02:40,480 --> 01:02:48,079 a tolling basically of that time period. um use something that was familiar from 757 01:02:45,760 --> 01:02:52,240 the state's attorney's days to seek a tolling so that we could have time once 758 01:02:50,319 --> 01:02:58,079 the process was available to work those 2020 CVs. We are very close with that 759 01:02:55,599 --> 01:03:02,960 deadline approaching and are almost caught up on those 2020s. That said, 760 01:03:01,119 --> 01:03:08,000 you're probably thinking, well, where's my refund? So, there is the part that we 761 01:03:05,599 --> 01:03:12,880 do to initially approve and issue the COVID. Um some of them do require the 762 01:03:10,799 --> 01:03:17,359 board and court approval. As you know, those that don't still are certified to 763 01:03:14,880 --> 01:03:22,799 the treasurer and then the treasurer is responsible for processing those 764 01:03:19,520 --> 01:03:29,280 refunds. As you know, um there have been some delays in both receiving and uh 765 01:03:25,839 --> 01:03:36,720 refunding um payments unfortunately. So what we know at this point is that the 766 01:03:32,000 --> 01:03:41,839 treasur is focused on 2024 exemption CVs being processed right now and working on 767 01:03:39,359 --> 01:03:48,160 some prior years getting that where the testing works and they produce the right 768 01:03:44,960 --> 01:03:52,240 refunds and then they will return to the valuation COVID refunds. What I 769 01:03:50,640 --> 01:03:56,079 understand is there were some errors when they attempted to do some refunds 770 01:03:54,319 --> 01:04:00,799 um to refund some of those certificate of errors on valuation issues that we 771 01:03:58,559 --> 01:04:04,000 had sent through and so they need to make sure that they're processed 772 01:04:02,319 --> 01:04:08,319 correctly. They're working through that as quickly as possible too. I will not 773 01:04:05,839 --> 01:04:12,559 speak for the treasurer's office but I thought we could at least provide that 774 01:04:10,000 --> 01:04:17,119 update and as soon as they are able then they will be working um through those 775 01:04:14,480 --> 01:04:21,680 refunds. We will also um just shout out to our valuations team and Brian Cibila 776 01:04:19,599 --> 01:04:26,880 in particular and Christina who have been working to make sure that the CVs 777 01:04:24,160 --> 01:04:32,640 are staying on track to be processed and then the 21 through the 24ths will be as 778 01:04:30,160 --> 01:04:36,880 well. And if we have multiple years on a CV then of course they're looking at the 779 01:04:34,799 --> 01:04:40,480 multiple years when they're addressing the CVs. 780 01:04:38,880 --> 01:04:44,079 uh may not be all the news that you would like to hear, but that gives you 781 01:04:42,319 --> 01:04:48,880 an update and we're doing everything we can to keep those moving and uh to get 782 01:04:46,880 --> 01:04:51,760 the refunds out that that are forthcoming. 783 01:04:50,559 --> 01:04:55,599 And then you're welcome to follow up with the treasur's office from their 784 01:04:53,119 --> 01:05:01,200 end. Thanks for that. And I'll let Gina wrap up on some other points. 785 01:04:58,960 --> 01:05:05,520 All right. So, um there was a couple questions about the location of the 786 01:05:02,640 --> 01:05:09,839 addestation form. I accidentally, um clicked the wrong answer. Um, but 787 01:05:07,920 --> 01:05:14,079 anyway, um, our rules do have references, um, links, direct links to 788 01:05:12,880 --> 01:05:17,839 some of the documents you need, including the addestation form. So, I 789 01:05:15,920 --> 01:05:23,200 just wanted to say that since I goofed up the, um, type answer. Anyway, um, 790 01:05:21,359 --> 01:05:26,720 just to sum up, taxpayers and representative and their representatives 791 01:05:24,880 --> 01:05:31,119 must read the appeal rules prior to filing assessment appeal. In fact, Smart 792 01:05:29,039 --> 01:05:35,680 File has a button that you have to click that says, I have read the appeal rules. 793 01:05:33,839 --> 01:05:40,640 Um current assessment years have to be filed timely and within the published 794 01:05:37,920 --> 01:05:46,400 appeal window. Um we cannot accept early appeals and we cannot accept late 795 01:05:42,480 --> 01:05:51,920 appeals. Um except of course in the for file outage. Um we tell we give you a 796 01:05:50,079 --> 01:05:55,680 road map to what type of evidence that you need for each kind of appeal. So 797 01:05:53,440 --> 01:06:00,799 please just look through our rules and also our website provides a lot of 798 01:05:58,079 --> 01:06:03,839 information. Um, we don't have every last little thing, but you know, we're 799 01:06:02,400 --> 01:06:07,680 always working on getting more and more information out there. And if after 800 01:06:06,160 --> 01:06:11,039 looking at our website, rules and everything, if you still have questions, 801 01:06:09,039 --> 01:06:16,079 of course, reach out to us. And next slide, please, because here's some 802 01:06:12,400 --> 01:06:19,720 helpful information for you. Next slide, please. 803 01:06:20,160 --> 01:06:29,280 So, we have four locations, um, downtown, Bridge View, Markhamm, and 804 01:06:25,119 --> 01:06:33,200 Skoi. Uh right now uh since uh exemption homestead exemption applications have 805 01:06:31,039 --> 01:06:37,039 gone out uh the branch offices are likely to be very crowded with people 806 01:06:35,200 --> 01:06:41,839 who are trying to get their homestead exemption. So if you have evaluation ex 807 01:06:39,760 --> 01:06:46,240 you know related question I would suggest you come downtown now. Um you 808 01:06:44,240 --> 01:06:49,839 can schedule an appointment. Please note that these appointments are not really 809 01:06:47,680 --> 01:06:54,880 hearings but you can talk to many of our qualified staff for various reasons. 810 01:06:51,839 --> 01:07:00,480 incentives, FOYA, um you know, our taxpayer resolutions team, um our 811 01:06:58,000 --> 01:07:04,400 property tax exempt team. Um I'm sure I'm missing a few. Um our homestead 812 01:07:02,480 --> 01:07:09,119 exemptions, you can submit a FOYA request online. Um the appeal filing 813 01:07:07,200 --> 01:07:13,359 assistance, if you're having trouble actually using Smart File to file an 814 01:07:11,200 --> 01:07:16,480 appeal, um instead of reaching out to one of the attorneys or something, reach 815 01:07:14,880 --> 01:07:21,359 out to one of the experts. And that's the email here, assessor online appeals. 816 01:07:18,880 --> 01:07:25,440 They can really help you. um the exempt property team. Again, if you have 817 01:07:23,359 --> 01:07:30,559 questions on how do I get this church exempt, uh reach out to the experts, our 818 01:07:27,920 --> 01:07:34,799 exempt our exempt team and taxpayer resolutions. They're just they're good 819 01:07:32,160 --> 01:07:39,839 at a lot of different things and also um finding information for you, especially 820 01:07:37,039 --> 01:07:45,039 helping with um square footage issues. Um they they help with a lot of issues 821 01:07:42,640 --> 01:07:48,480 and that is a really good email for you to have in your back pocket. So, I'm 822 01:07:46,720 --> 01:07:51,480 going to turn this back over to Angelina. 823 01:07:54,079 --> 01:08:01,200 I'm not sure if I'm still having audio issues. Can you guys hear me? 824 01:08:00,079 --> 01:08:04,960 » Yeah, >> not very well. 825 01:08:02,400 --> 01:08:08,559 » Not not well, but yeah, we can. >> Okay, so someone else is going to have 826 01:08:06,319 --> 01:08:12,559 to do the Q&A. Um, 827 01:08:10,880 --> 01:08:16,319 you can't hear me. One of you take that on. 828 01:08:14,559 --> 01:08:21,839 Can you see the bottom? Gina or Christina? 829 01:08:18,400 --> 01:08:26,480 So I think in wrapup um we if if we did not answer your question today feel free 830 01:08:23,839 --> 01:08:31,600 to send an email and followup and we'll provide the information that you 831 01:08:28,319 --> 01:08:37,040 requested um if we have it and this information including the video will be 832 01:08:33,839 --> 01:08:41,759 available online um the updated policies will be on available online shortly as 833 01:08:39,279 --> 01:08:45,600 well. We thank everyone for their time and did I cover it appropriately 834 01:08:43,759 --> 01:08:48,560 Angelina? Well, no. We were gonna answer a few. I think 835 01:08:46,799 --> 01:08:52,880 » Oh, gotcha. Sorry about that. Okay. >> Well, you guys can hear me, right? 836 01:08:51,279 --> 01:08:55,679 » Now, we can. Yes. >> Okay. I was gonna do it real quick 837 01:08:54,159 --> 01:08:58,560 because there are some very easy ones I think you guys can knock out. We're not 838 01:08:57,199 --> 01:09:02,719 going to answer all of them because we have gone over time. We'll dedicate 839 01:09:00,560 --> 01:09:07,679 maybe five minutes. So, really quickly, feel like most questions were about the 840 01:09:04,960 --> 01:09:13,759 photos, Gina, and then the certificate of air. So, some easy ones. Um, some of 841 01:09:12,799 --> 01:09:17,920 these are not going to answer because these are these are easy. You could 842 01:09:15,120 --> 01:09:20,920 easily look at our website. Um, all right. 843 01:09:21,520 --> 01:09:28,159 Okay. Could you please clarify the CCAO requirement to provide photographs of 844 01:09:26,159 --> 01:09:32,159 comparable properties dated no earlier than January 1 of the current year? How 845 01:09:30,400 --> 01:09:36,480 are the law firms with hundreds of cases expected to obtain these photos? Are 846 01:09:33,839 --> 01:09:40,839 there any official resources or sources that CCO considers acceptable? 847 01:09:40,960 --> 01:09:47,520 Okay, so for photographs, you really need to make sure that you have a 848 01:09:44,960 --> 01:09:52,400 current photograph of the property that you are using in your appeal and also 849 01:09:49,759 --> 01:09:57,120 for all the comps you use. What we see so often, specific, particularly in 850 01:09:55,120 --> 01:10:02,560 residential appeals um from practitioners is that you're saying that 851 01:09:59,679 --> 01:10:08,880 the property is a two-story brick home and then the picture submitted is one 852 01:10:05,199 --> 01:10:13,760 story in wood. So, be sure that you're looking at what your appeal says and the 853 01:10:12,080 --> 01:10:16,880 document that and the photograph that you're submitting and make sure it 854 01:10:15,199 --> 01:10:20,880 matches up. Now, we're not going to go out and investigate every photo to make 855 01:10:19,040 --> 01:10:25,760 sure you know that it's destamped right then and there, but it needs to be 856 01:10:22,960 --> 01:10:30,480 current. It needs to be a current photo. So, hopefully that answers your many of 857 01:10:28,320 --> 01:10:33,520 these photo questions. Make sure it matches the property. Make sure it's 858 01:10:32,239 --> 01:10:37,760 current. >> Okay. Um, here's one that came up. A 859 01:10:36,080 --> 01:10:42,480 couple of things. How are certificate of error evaluations decisions transmitted 860 01:10:40,320 --> 01:10:46,920 and how do they secure a copy of the certificate of error evaluation 861 01:10:43,920 --> 01:10:46,920 decision? 862 01:10:49,280 --> 01:10:58,480 » Currently, sorry, we're unable to currently uh print 863 01:10:55,440 --> 01:11:03,840 certificate of error valuation decisions um 864 01:11:00,239 --> 01:11:07,679 um using this is world at this time. The only ones that we're able to print 865 01:11:05,360 --> 01:11:13,840 currently are for properties that are 100% tax exempt because those results 866 01:11:10,800 --> 01:11:18,560 are zero. Um, so we're working through some things there so that we can again 867 01:11:16,800 --> 01:11:23,840 be able to print the decisions themselves. Um, and and the recommended 868 01:11:21,600 --> 01:11:28,480 tax bills as well. >> And in the meantime, we will directly 869 01:11:25,920 --> 01:11:33,600 transmit the certification to the treasur's office and are working through 870 01:11:30,560 --> 01:11:38,800 the ability to print those decisions. Got it. Thank you. Can a homeowner 871 01:11:36,000 --> 01:11:43,600 request a factual characteristic error through the website at any time? Oh, 872 01:11:42,080 --> 01:11:47,440 when a question comes through, it bumps my other question. Anytime or only 873 01:11:45,840 --> 01:11:50,440 within the appeal window of that township. 874 01:11:54,400 --> 01:12:02,080 So, we have uh rules that address when this can be done and how it can be done. 875 01:11:59,520 --> 01:12:07,120 So I believe it's like um the last three rules um talk about certificates of 876 01:12:04,800 --> 01:12:11,040 error and also factual um correction of factual errors. So if you just look at 877 01:12:09,120 --> 01:12:15,920 those rules, they'll tell you exactly the different ways in which you can get 878 01:12:13,280 --> 01:12:21,840 that information to us. Uh when you can do it and um you know just I think that 879 01:12:20,159 --> 01:12:28,719 just looking at those rules will really answer a lot of these questions. 880 01:12:24,480 --> 01:12:33,280 » Okay. Um let's see. What is the projected process? Oh, I feel like you 881 01:12:30,159 --> 01:12:36,960 answered that one now. Um, let's see. Oh, another about the photos. A lot of 882 01:12:35,280 --> 01:12:43,679 coming up again. Is it required for practitioners to use date stamp photos 883 01:12:39,040 --> 01:12:46,080 of the comparables used in the appeal? >> It is. 884 01:12:44,159 --> 01:12:48,239 » Those photos need to be correct. >> Yeah. 885 01:12:46,480 --> 01:12:53,840 » Yes. Thank you, Mike. >> Yeah. and and and really if you if you 886 01:12:51,040 --> 01:12:59,520 look at the rules that um reference photos um you're a practitioner, 887 01:12:57,520 --> 01:13:06,400 what we're really answering is the question is how do you best make your 888 01:13:03,360 --> 01:13:10,719 case? Okay, you can submit whatever you want out of a magazine, but we're not 889 01:13:08,640 --> 01:13:17,280 going to consider it as strongly as we would is if you submitted photos, 890 01:13:14,239 --> 01:13:21,520 timestamped photos of uh the comparable properties just as you would the subject 891 01:13:19,120 --> 01:13:27,640 property. >> Okay. Yeah, lots of those photo ones. 892 01:13:24,640 --> 01:13:27,640 Um, 893 01:13:32,880 --> 01:13:39,040 uh, maybe this one will be our last one. Why a certificate of air related? Why 894 01:13:37,360 --> 01:13:43,040 isn't the cert certificate of air decision letter directed to the attorney 895 01:13:40,880 --> 01:13:47,280 who was hired by the client to represent them? Many of these homeowners no longer 896 01:13:45,040 --> 01:13:50,960 live at the property by the time the CV is resolved, and then the treasurer 897 01:13:49,120 --> 01:13:54,840 sends a check to the address that no longer belongs to the owner. 898 01:13:56,960 --> 01:14:05,440 I believe that stems from the treasur's request based on the taxpayer of record, 899 01:14:02,000 --> 01:14:09,000 but um we can certainly uh have a discussion about that. 900 01:14:10,080 --> 01:14:19,440 » Okay. Um yeah, something about the homeowners 901 01:14:16,800 --> 01:14:23,199 uh some exemption questions. These are all posted on our website when the due 902 01:14:21,520 --> 01:14:28,239 date. We don't have a due date right now when they're finally when they're due. 903 01:14:26,719 --> 01:14:32,159 We have a cuto off date for the exemption applications that'll be found 904 01:14:29,920 --> 01:14:37,040 out online. All the questions you have relating to the order of townships and 905 01:14:34,640 --> 01:14:41,440 appeal deadlines also you can find online. Once we have those, we post 906 01:14:39,120 --> 01:14:49,120 them. We don't post exact dates, but we post um time frames like we'll put early 907 01:14:44,000 --> 01:14:55,040 May, um late May as an example. So, most of this you can find online, but again, 908 01:14:51,600 --> 01:14:59,679 you can access this video. Um, it'll be posted hopefully by 909 01:14:57,920 --> 01:15:04,640 tomorrow. It's just a big file. Takes a little time to render and all that. Um, 910 01:15:02,719 --> 01:15:08,560 and we'll also post a copy of the presentation and the appeal rules will 911 01:15:06,880 --> 01:15:11,840 be updated themselves. On the presentation, you have all of our 912 01:15:09,920 --> 01:15:16,400 contact information if you have any more questions. Okay. Thank you very much for 913 01:15:14,480 --> 01:15:19,400 joining us today and thank you to our presenters. 914 01:15:19,520 --> 01:15:23,719 All right, signing off. Bye.