Understanding state's property tax cycle

School districts and village setting 2020 levies that will determine 2021 tax bills

The property tax is largest single tax in Illinois and is the major source of revenue for Community Consolidated District 181 and Hinsdale High School District 86. It also is a significant source of funding for the Village of Hinsdale, along with the Hinsdale Public Library, although the village has several other sources of revenue to support operations.

Taxing bodies are required each year to file a levy, or request for property tax revenue. Setting the levy actually is the fourth of six steps in the property tax cycle, which spans two years (see sidebar).

As the cycle begins, property is assigned a value that reflects its value as of Jan. 1 of that year. During the second year, tax bills are calculated and mailed and payments are distributed to local taxing districts.

Much of the information on this page is taken from The Illinois Property Tax System: A General Guide to the Local Property Tax Cycle, published by the Illinois Department of Revenue. An accompanying glossary provides definitions for several terms associated with the levy process.