Kankakee County Property Tax Appeal — Illinois

Rob Hartley·Updated March 5, 2026

Kankakee County is located in northeastern Illinois with a population of approximately 107,500 residents as of the 2020 census. The county seat is the city of Kankakee, and major population centers include Bourbonnais, Bradley, and Manteno. With a median annual property tax bill of $4,238 (2024 data) and an effective tax rate of 2.4%, Kankakee County's property tax burden is more than double the U.S. national average of 1.11%. The county ranks among the top 25% of U.S. counties for property tax collections, making property tax appeals particularly important for homeowners seeking relief from these high taxes.

Notable cities: Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno

Median Home

$180,250

Tax Rate

2.4%

Annual Tax

$4,238

Population

107,500

2026 Appeal Deadline: 30 days after receiving the assessment notice in the fall

Appeals must be filed within 30 days after you receive your assessment notice (not your tax bill) which is typically mailed in the fall. The deadline is calculated from the date you receive the notice, not the date it was mailed. Missing this deadline means you cannot appeal until the next assessment year.

Property in Kankakee County, Illinois — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Kankakee County Assesses Property

33.33%of market value

Assessed by: Kankakee County Supervisor of Assessments Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically by mid-May)

In Illinois, all property outside of Cook County is assessed at 33.33% of fair market value. If your home's market value is $180,250 (the county's 2024 median), the assessed value would be $60,083 (180,250 × 0.3333). At Kankakee County's effective tax rate of 2.4%, this would result in approximately $4,326 in annual property taxes before exemptions. Understanding this assessment ratio is crucial when appealing your property taxes, as you'll need to demonstrate either that your property's market value is lower than the assessor's determination or that it's assessed inequitably compared to similar properties.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The Kankakee County Board of Review conducts public hearings where you'll present your evidence supporting a lower assessment. The Board will review comparable sales, property conditions, and assessment equity. Their decision is based on the evidence presented and they have the authority to raise, lower, or maintain your assessment.

Step 1: Contact your township assessor informally if you believe your assessment is incorrect. This informal discussion may resolve the issue without filing a formal appeal and should be done before the Board of Review opens.

Step 2: Obtain your property record card from the Supervisor of Assessments office (815-937-2945) to review your property's assessed value, characteristics, and assessment history. Verify all information is accurate including square footage, lot size, age, and property features.

Step 3: Gather supporting evidence for your appeal including recent comparable home sales (at least 3 similar properties), photos of your property showing condition or defects, recent appraisals (within 1 year), repair estimates for needed work, or property record cards of comparable homes showing unequal assessments.

Step 4: Complete the Kankakee County Board of Review Assessment Complaint Form (available at www.k3county.net/boardofreview or by calling 815-937-2945). File it within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice in the fall. Include all supporting documentation with your complaint.

Step 5: Attend your hearing before the Board of Review. Present your evidence including comparable sales data, photographs, and any expert testimony or appraisals. The Board will make a decision based on the evidence presented at the public hearing.

Step 6: If dissatisfied with the Board of Review decision, appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of the Board's decision. File a petition with PTAB at their Springfield office with all evidence and the Board of Review's final decision.

Step 7: If still dissatisfied after PTAB's decision, you may appeal to the Circuit Court. You must pay your taxes under protest while pursuing this final level of appeal. Consider consulting an attorney for circuit court appeals.

Required form: Kankakee County Board of Review Assessment Complaint Form

Filing Methods

mail:Mail completed form to: Board of Review, 189 East Court Street, 1st Floor, Kankakee, IL 60901

in-person:Deliver to: Board of Review Office, 189 East Court Street, 1st Floor, Kankakee, IL 60901. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

phone:Call (815) 937-2945 for information and to request appeal forms

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales (at least 3 properties similar in size, age, location, and condition)Property photographs showing condition, defects, or needed repairsRecent professional appraisal (within 12 months)Repair estimates from licensed contractorsProperty record cards of comparable properties to demonstrate unequal assessmentDocumentation of property issues (foundation problems, water damage, etc.)

Kankakee County Assessor Contact

Kankakee County Supervisor of Assessments / Board of Review

Phone: (815) 937-2945

Address: 189 East Court Street, 1st Floor, Kankakee County Administration Building, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: https://www.k3county.net/184/Supervisor-of-Assessments-Office

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Tax Exemptions in Kankakee County

General Homestead Exemption

Up to $6,000 reduction in EAV

Reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) by the increase above the 1977 EAV for owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Property must be your primary residence and occupied by the owner as of January 1 of the assessment yearDeadline: Apply with the Assessor's office; automatically renews after initial application

Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in EAV

Additional reduction in assessed value for homeowners 65 or older

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older by December 31 of the tax year, own and occupy the property as primary residence, and be liable for property taxesDeadline: Initial application required; annual renewal forms mailed each year

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze

Freezes EAV at base year level

Freezes the equalized assessed value at the base year to prevent increases due to inflation

Eligibility: Must be 65 or older, have occupied property as primary residence for 2 consecutive years, and have total household income of $75,000 or less for tax year 2026 (increasing to $77,000 for 2027, $79,000 for 2028)Deadline: Must apply annually by filing Form PTAX-340 with the Assessor's office

Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities

$2,000 reduction in assessed value

Annual reduction for property owned and occupied by a person with a qualifying disability

Eligibility: Must have a qualifying disability certified by a physician, own or have legal interest in the property, occupy as primary residence, and be liable for property taxesDeadline: Initial Form PTAX-343 required with physician certification; annual renewal Form PTAX-343-R must be filed each year

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption

$2,500 for 30-49% disability; $5,000 for 50-69% disability; total exemption for 70%+ disability

Reduction based on percentage of service-connected disability certified by U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with service-connected disability, own and occupy property as primary residence, property EAV must be less than $250,000Deadline: Annual application required; file Form PTAX-342 with Assessor's office

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in EAV for year returned and following year

Two-year exemption for veterans returning from active duty in an armed conflict

Eligibility: Must be a veteran returning from active duty in armed conflict, own or have interest in property, occupy as primary residenceDeadline: File Form PTAX-341 with Assessor's office upon returning from service

Homestead Improvement Exemption

Up to $75,000 in fair cash value (or $25,000 assessed value) per year

Exempts the increased value from improvements to existing residential structures for 4 years

Eligibility: Property must be owner's principal dwelling occupied by the owner; applies to new improvements or rebuilding after catastrophic eventsDeadline: May be granted automatically or Form PTAX-323 may be required; contact Assessor's office

Official Resources

Kankakee County Supervisor of Assessments Office →

Official county assessor website with property information, assessment records, and exemption applications.

Kankakee County Board of Review →

Information about filing property tax appeals with the Board of Review including forms, rules, and procedures.

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) →

State-level property tax appeal board for appealing Board of Review decisions with forms, filing instructions, and appeal status inquiry.

Illinois Department of Revenue - Property Tax Exemptions →

Comprehensive information about all Illinois property tax exemptions including eligibility requirements and application forms.

Check Your Kankakee County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Kankakee County for 2026?

In Kankakee County, you must file your property tax appeal within 30 days after you receive your assessment notice in the fall. This is not your tax bill—it's a separate assessment notice typically mailed by mid-May showing your property's assessed value. The 30-day clock starts from when you receive the notice, not when it was mailed. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to appeal until the next assessment year. Contact the Board of Review at (815) 937-2945 if you have questions about your specific deadline.

How do I file a property tax appeal with the Kankakee County Board of Review?

To file a property tax appeal in Kankakee County, first obtain the Board of Review Assessment Complaint Form by visiting www.k3county.net/boardofreview or calling (815) 937-2945. Complete the form with details about your property and your opinion of its correct value. Gather supporting evidence including at least three comparable home sales, photos of your property, and any appraisals or repair estimates. Submit your completed form and all evidence within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice to the Board of Review at 189 East Court Street, 1st Floor, Kankakee, IL 60901, either by mail or in person during business hours Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You'll then be scheduled for a public hearing to present your case.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Kankakee County?

The General Homestead Exemption in Kankakee County reduces your property's equalized assessed value (EAV) by up to $6,000, which is the maximum allowed in Illinois counties outside Cook County and its contiguous counties. The actual tax savings depends on your local tax rate, but at the county's average rate, this exemption could save you approximately $144 annually. If you're 65 or older, you can also claim an additional Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption worth $5,000 in reduced EAV, bringing your total exemption to $11,000. These exemptions are automatic after your initial application with the Assessor's office at (815) 937-2945 or 189 E. Court Street, Kankakee.

What happens at a Kankakee County Board of Review hearing?

At your Board of Review hearing in Kankakee County, you'll appear before the three-member Board to present evidence supporting your requested assessment reduction. You'll have the opportunity to present comparable sales showing similar homes sold for less, photographs documenting your property's condition or defects, professional appraisals, or repair estimates. The Board will also hear from the township assessor who may defend the current assessment. The hearing is quasi-judicial in nature, meaning it follows formal procedures but is less formal than court. Based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Board will issue a written decision either maintaining, reducing, or potentially increasing your assessment. The Board's decision can be appealed to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board within 30 days if you disagree with the outcome.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Kankakee County?

The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Kankakee County depends on how much you can reduce your assessed value and the local tax rate. For example, if you successfully reduce your home's assessed value by $10,000 at the county's effective tax rate of 2.4%, you would save approximately $240 per year. Given that the median home value in Kankakee County is $180,250 with median annual taxes of $4,238, even a 10% assessment reduction could save homeowners over $420 annually. Successful appeals often result in 5-15% reductions in assessed value. With Kankakee County having one of the higher property tax burdens in Illinois—more than double the national average—appealing an overassessment can provide significant financial relief year after year.

What evidence do I need for a successful Kankakee County property tax appeal?

For a successful appeal in Kankakee County, you need compelling evidence showing your property is overassessed. The strongest evidence includes at least three recent comparable sales (within the past 12-18 months) of similar homes in your area that sold for less than your assessed market value, which should be similar in size, age, condition, and location. Other valuable evidence includes a recent professional appraisal (dated within the past year), clear photographs showing property defects or needed repairs, contractor estimates for significant repairs, and property record cards from the Assessor's office showing comparable properties are assessed lower than yours. If claiming unequal treatment, you must demonstrate a consistent pattern of assessment inequities, not just isolated examples. The Kankakee County Board of Review bases its decisions on the evidence presented at hearings, so thorough documentation is essential for success.

Can I appeal to the state if the Kankakee County Board of Review denies my appeal?

Yes, if you're dissatisfied with the Kankakee County Board of Review's decision, you can appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of the Board's final decision. PTAB is a quasi-judicial state body that provides an unbiased forum to contest property assessments. You must file a petition on the prescribed residential property form available at www.ptab.illinois.gov, submit one copy of your completed form, the Board of Review's final decision, and all your evidence. Mail your appeal to the PTAB Springfield office within the 30-day deadline (postmark matters). If attorney-represented, you must file electronically through PTAB's eFiling portal. You can choose a decision based on evidence submitted or request an in-person hearing. If still dissatisfied after PTAB's decision, you may further appeal to Circuit Court, though you must pay your taxes under protest during this process.

How does Illinois's 33.33% assessment ratio affect my Kankakee County property taxes?

Illinois law requires all property in Kankakee County to be assessed at 33.33% (one-third) of its fair market value. This means if your home has a market value of $180,000, your assessed value should be approximately $60,000. Your property taxes are then calculated by multiplying this assessed value by the local tax rate. Understanding this ratio is crucial for appeals because you need to demonstrate that either your property's true market value is lower than what the assessor determined, or that your assessed value doesn't properly reflect one-third of market value. For example, if recent comparable sales show similar homes selling for $165,000, your assessed value should be around $55,000 (165,000 × 0.3333), not $60,000. This $5,000 difference in assessed value could save you approximately $120 annually at Kankakee County's effective tax rate.

For state-wide appeal information including Illinois's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Illinois Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

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← All Illinois property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.k3county.net/161/Board-of-Review | https://www.k3county.net/184/Supervisor-of-Assessments-Office | https://kankakeecountytreasurer.com/ | http://www.tax-rates.org/illinois/kankakee_county_property_tax | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/illinois/kankakee-county | https://kankakeetimes.com/stories/670925665-analysis-kankakee-county-effective-property-tax-rates-outpaced-the-national-average-in-q4-2024 | https://tax.illinois.gov/localgovernments/property/taxrelief.html | https://www.ptab.illinois.gov/ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kankakee_County,_Illinois

Last verified: 2026-03-05