McLean County Property Tax Appeal, Illinois

Travis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

McLean County is located in east central Illinois and is the largest county by land area in the state, with a population of approximately 172,645 as of 2025. The county seat is Bloomington, which forms a twin-city metropolitan area with Normal, together comprising roughly 132,000 residents. McLean County homeowners face property tax rates significantly higher than both state and national averages, with a median annual tax bill of $4,503 on a median home value of $198,300, resulting in an effective rate of 2.27%, more than double the national average of 0.91% and higher than Illinois' state average of 2.07%.

Notable cities: Bloomington, Normal, LeRoy, Cropsey

Median Home

$198,300

Tax Rate

2.27%

Annual Tax

$4,503

Population

172,645

On the typical McLean County home, valued near $198,300 at the county’s effective tax rate of 2.27%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: 30 days after the publication date for your township

McLean County publishes assessment notices by township in local newspapers beginning in mid-summer. Property owners have exactly 30 days from the publication date shown for their specific township to file an assessment complaint with the Board of Review. Late appeals will not be heard. The publication schedule and filing deadlines for each township are posted on the county assessor's website.

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Aerial view of an Illinois residential neighborhood. McLean County appeal guide.

How McLean County Assesses Property

33.33%of market value

Assessed by: McLean County Supervisor of Assessments

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Mid-summer through early fall (varies by township)

Illinois law requires all residential property to be assessed at 33.33% of fair market value. McLean County assesses properties annually, with assessment notices published by township beginning in mid-summer. For example, if your home's market value is $198,300 (the county median), at Illinois's 33.33% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $66,099, resulting in approximately $4,503 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 2.27%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The McLean County Board of Review holds informal hearings in the Supervisor of Assessments conference room at 115 E. Washington St., Room 101. The Board reviews your evidence, may request additional documentation, and has authority to change any property value in the county based on the evidence presented.

Step 1: Check your assessment notice publication date for your township and calculate your 30-day filing deadline. Missing this deadline means your appeal will not be heard.

Step 2: Gather evidence supporting your claim, including comparable sales of similar properties, photographs showing property condition, recent appraisals, or repair estimates for defects that reduce value.

Step 3: Complete Form PTAX-230 (Non-Farm Property Assessment Complaint) with all required information, including your requested assessed value reduction. Submit the form along with all supporting evidence, the Board requires both at time of filing.

Step 4: File your completed appeal online, by mail, or in person before your township's deadline. The Board will provide a copy of your appeal to the township assessor.

Step 5: Attend the informal hearing before the Board of Review in the Supervisor of Assessments conference room at the Government Center. The Board will review your evidence and issue a written decision.

Step 6: If you disagree with the Board of Review's decision, you have 30 days from the date of their written notice to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) at www.ptab.illinois.gov.

Step 7: As a final option, you may file a tax objection complaint in circuit court if the PTAB decision is unfavorable. You must pay your taxes during any pending appeal.

Required form: Form PTAX-230 (Non-Farm Property Assessment Complaint)

Filing Methods

online:Complete and submit digitally at www.mcleancountyil.gov/assessor (click 'Filing an Assessment Complaint')

mail:McLean County Board of Review, P.O. Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61702-2400

in-person:115 E. Washington St., Room 101, Bloomington, IL 61701 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhoodProperty record cards and photographs of your property and comparablesRecent independent appraisal or market analysisDocumentation of property defects, damage, or needed repairsReal Estate Transfer Declaration, deed, or purchase contract

McLean County Assessor Contact

McLean County Supervisor of Assessments

Phone: (309) 888-5130

Address: 115 E. Washington St., Room 101, Bloomington, IL 61701 (Mailing: P.O. Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61702-2400)

Website: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/76/Assessor

Online Portal: https://mcleanil.devnetwedge.com/

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Tax Exemptions in McLean County

General Homestead Exemption

Up to $6,000 reduction in EAV

Available for owner-occupied primary residences, this exemption reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) of your property.

Eligibility: Property must be occupied as principal dwelling by owner or qualifying lessee with obligation to pay property taxes. Granted automatically in most cases.Deadline: File initially with Chief County Assessment Officer; typically automatic renewal

Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in EAV (approximately $350-400 annual tax savings)

Reduces the equalized assessed value for homeowners age 65 or older during the assessment year.

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older, occupy property as principal residence, and own or have legal/equitable interest with liability for property taxes.Deadline: Initial application on Form PTAX-324 required; automatic renewal thereafter

Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (SCAFHE)

Freezes EAV at base year (savings vary based on property appreciation)

Freezes the property's equalized assessed value at the base year level, preventing increases due to inflation for qualifying low-income seniors.

Eligibility: Age 65+, total household income below $75,000 (for 2026), occupied as principal residence, liable for property taxes. Must file annually.Deadline: Annual filing required on Form PTAX-340 (mailed to current recipients around February 1)

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption

$2,500 reduction in EAV for 30-49% disability (approximately $180 savings); $5,000 for 50-69%; 100% exempt for 70%+ disability

Provides property tax reduction for veterans with service-connected disabilities certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Eligibility: Must have service-connected disability certified by VA, own and occupy property as principal residence. Surviving spouses may qualify.Deadline: File annually with proof; revised VA benefits letter required each year showing disability percentage

Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption

$2,000 reduction in EAV

Reduces property taxes for homeowners with qualifying disabilities.

Eligibility: Property owned by disabled person who qualifies under Illinois law. Proof of disability required.Deadline: Annual application required by December 31 of tax year; must submit proof of disability with application and renewal

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in EAV for two years (year returned and following year)

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

Eligibility: Must return from active duty in armed conflict involving U.S. armed forces. Property must be principal residence.Deadline: File application upon return from service; copy of DD214 or DD220 required

Homestead Improvement Exemption (HEI)

Up to $75,000 market value ($25,000 assessed value) annually for four years from completion

Exempts the added value from new improvements or renovations to your homestead for four years.

Eligibility: New improvements to homestead property. Granted automatically in McLean County in most cases.Deadline: Automatic in most cases; continues for four years from improvement completion date

McLean County Appeal Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property assessment in McLean County?

You have exactly 30 days from the date your township's assessments are published in a local newspaper to file an appeal with the McLean County Board of Review. The publication schedule varies by township and typically begins in mid-summer, continuing through early fall. Each township has its own specific publication date and corresponding 30-day deadline. You can find your township's publication date and filing deadline on the county assessor's website. If you miss this deadline, your appeal will not be heard, so it's critical to monitor the publication schedule for your area and file promptly.

How do I file a property tax assessment appeal in McLean County online?

McLean County offers online filing for assessment appeals through their website at www.mcleancountyil.gov/assessor. Click on 'Filing an Assessment Complaint' to access the digital forms. You'll need to complete Form PTAX-230 (Non-Farm Property Assessment Complaint) and upload all supporting evidence at the time of filing, the Board requires both the appeal form and evidence together. The online system allows you to complete the forms digitally and submit them electronically, which is faster than mailing paper forms. Make sure you receive confirmation of your submission and keep a copy for your records.

What is the homestead exemption worth in McLean County for 2026?

The General Homestead Exemption in McLean County provides up to $6,000 reduction in your property's equalized assessed value (EAV), which typically saves homeowners approximately $400-450 annually in property taxes. If you're 65 or older, you can stack the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption on top of the general exemption for an additional $5,000 EAV reduction (approximately $350-400 in additional savings). The Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (SCAFHE) offers even greater savings by freezing your property's EAV if you're 65+ with household income under $75,000 for 2026. Most homestead exemptions are granted automatically or require only a one-time initial application.

What happens at a McLean County Board of Review hearing?

After you file your appeal, the McLean County Board of Review schedules an informal hearing in the Supervisor of Assessments conference room at the Government Center (115 E. Washington St., Room 101, Bloomington). The hearing is informal but requires you to present evidence supporting your claim that your property is overassessed. You'll present comparable sales, photographs, appraisals, or other documentation, and the township assessor may also present evidence. The Board has authority to change any property value in the county based on the evidence. After reviewing everything, the Board issues a written decision either reducing your assessment, maintaining it, or potentially increasing it if evidence shows underassessment. You'll receive written notification of their decision.

How much can I save by appealing my property assessment in McLean County?

The potential savings from a successful appeal depends on how much your assessed value is reduced and McLean County's effective tax rate of 2.27%. For example, if you successfully reduce your assessed value by $10,000, you would save approximately $227 per year in property taxes. If you reduce it by $20,000, that's about $454 annually. National statistics show that about 25% of homes are overassessed, with successful appeals averaging around $1,346 in annual tax savings. In McLean County, where the median annual tax bill is $4,503, even a 10% reduction in your assessment would save approximately $450 per year, and these savings continue every year going forward.

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

The McLean County Board of Review requires comprehensive evidence submitted with your appeal form at the time of filing. The strongest evidence includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood showing lower values, ideally from the assessment year in question. You should also include property record cards for both your property and the comparables, photographs documenting your property's condition and any defects or needed repairs, and a recent independent appraisal if available. Other valuable evidence includes Real Estate Transfer Declarations, repair estimates for significant defects, documentation of property damage, and any other information demonstrating that your assessed value exceeds your property's actual market value. The Board provides copies of your appeal and evidence to the township assessor, who may present counter-evidence at your hearing.

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

Yes, if you disagree with the McLean County Board of Review's decision, you can appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of receiving the Board's written notice. PTAB is a quasi-judicial state agency that provides an unbiased forum for property assessment appeals and has jurisdiction over all 102 Illinois counties. You must file using PTAB's prescribed forms (available at www.ptab.illinois.gov), and many appeals now require electronic filing through PTAB's e-filing portal. You'll need to submit the Board of Review's final decision along with all evidence supporting your position. If PTAB's decision is still unfavorable, you have the final option of filing a tax objection complaint in circuit court. However, you must continue paying your property taxes during any pending appeals.

When does McLean County mail assessment notices and when are property taxes due?

McLean County mails assessment notices by township beginning in mid-summer and continuing through early fall, with each township having its own publication date in local newspapers. The 30-day appeal deadline begins from your township's specific publication date. Property tax bills for the assessment year are typically mailed in May of the following year, with two installment due dates: the first installment is due June 10, and the second installment is due September 10. Late payments incur a 1.5% monthly interest penalty. For example, assessments published in summer 2026 affect tax bills mailed in May 2027 and payable by June 10, 2027 (first installment) and September 10, 2027 (second installment).

Official Resources

McLean County Supervisor of Assessments →

Official county assessor website with exemption applications, property information, and assessment appeal forms including online filing portal.

McLean County Property Tax Inquiry System →

Search property records, view current assessments, check tax payment status, and access property information for all McLean County parcels.

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) →

State-level appeal board for contesting Board of Review decisions, with electronic filing system, forms, and information about the state appeal process.

Illinois Department of Revenue - Property Tax Appeals →

State resource explaining the property tax assessment appeal process, required forms (PTAX-230), evidence guidelines, and step-by-step instructions.

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.mcleancountyil.gov/107/Board-of-Review | https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/76/Assessor | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/illinois/mclean-county/ | https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/554/Homestead-Exemptions | https://www.ptab.illinois.gov/ | https://tax.illinois.gov/localgovernments/property/appeals.html

Last verified: 2026-07-24