Rock Island County Property Tax Appeal, Illinois

Travis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Rock Island County is located along the Mississippi River in northwestern Illinois with a county seat of Rock Island and a population of approximately 144,672 as of 2020. The county is part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area, which includes Moline (the largest city with 42,985 residents), Rock Island, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Rock Island County because the effective property tax rate of 2.01% to 2.93% is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, placing the county among the top 25% nationwide for property tax collections. With a median home value of approximately $111,700, homeowners pay a median annual property tax bill of $2,240 to $3,439, which is notably above the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Silvis, Milan

Median Home

$111,700

Tax Rate

2.01%

Annual Tax

$2,240

Population

144,672

On the typical Rock Island County home, valued near $111,700 at the county’s effective tax rate of 2.01%, 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 from the date assessment changes are published in the Dispatch Argus newspaper

Rock Island County publishes assessment changes in the Dispatch Argus newspaper, typically in late September. For 2025 assessments, publication occurred on September 27, 2025, with appeals due by October 28, 2025. For 2026 assessments (payable in 2027), expect publication around September 27, 2026. Property owners have exactly 30 days from the newspaper publication date to file an appeal with the Board of Review.

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Aerial view of an Illinois residential neighborhood. Rock Island County appeal guide.

How Rock Island County Assesses Property

33.33%of market value

Assessed by: Rock Island County Chief County Assessment Office and Township Assessors

Assessment cycle: quadrennial

Notices typically mailed: September

In Rock Island County, properties are assessed at 33.33% of their fair market value, as required by Illinois law. Township assessors determine the market value (what your property would sell for on the open market), then apply the 33.33% assessment ratio to calculate the assessed value used for taxation. For example: If your home's market value is $111,700, at Illinois's 33.33% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $37,233, resulting in approximately $2,240 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 2.01%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The Board of Review consists of three members appointed by the County Board. During your hearing, you will present your evidence and explain why your assessment should be reduced. The Board will review all evidence and issue a written decision, typically mailed several months after the hearing.

Step 1: Contact your township assessor for an informal review of your assessment before filing a formal appeal. Discuss your concerns and present any evidence supporting a lower valuation.

Step 2: If not satisfied with the township assessor's review, obtain a Board of Review complaint form by calling (309) 558-3672, visiting the Board of Review office at 1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, Rock Island, or downloading from www.rockislandcountyil.gov.

Step 3: Complete the complaint form with detailed information about your property and reasons for disputing the assessment. Gather supporting evidence including comparable sales, photographs, appraisals, or documentation of property defects.

Step 4: File your completed complaint form with the Rock Island County Board of Review within 30 days of the newspaper publication date. All complaints must be postmarked by the deadline or the Board is prohibited by law from accepting them.

Step 5: The Board of Review will schedule a hearing where you present your evidence explaining why your assessment should be reduced. The three-member Board will review your case and issue a written decision.

Step 6: If unsatisfied with the Board of Review's decision, you may appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of receiving the Board of Review's final decision letter. PTAB appeals must be filed in writing with supporting evidence.

Step 7: If still dissatisfied after the PTAB decision, you may further appeal to the circuit court for judicial review.

Required form: Board of Review complaint form (available by calling 309-558-3672 or visiting the Board of Review office)

Filing Methods

in-person:Board of Review Office, 1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201

mail:Mail complaint form to: Board of Review, 1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201 (must be postmarked by deadline)

phone:Call (309) 558-3672 to request forms and instructions

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhoodIndependent appraisal reportPhotographs showing property condition or defectsRepair estimates or contractor invoices for needed repairsDocumentation of property characteristics (square footage, age, condition)

Rock Island County Assessor Contact

Rock Island County Board of Review

Phone: (309) 558-3670

Address: 1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201

Website: https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/175/Board-of-Review-Office

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Tax Exemptions in Rock Island County

General Homestead Exemption (Owner Occupied)

Up to $6,000 reduction in assessed value

Reduces the equalized assessed value of your primary residence

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1 of the assessment year. Cannot have applied for homestead exemption on any other property.Deadline: Apply with your Township Assessor or Chief County Assessment Office

Senior Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in assessed value

Additional exemption for homeowners age 65 or older, claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older during the assessment year and have lived on the property on or before January 1 of the assessment yearDeadline: Apply with Chief County Assessment Office at (309) 558-3660 or your Township Assessor. Bring identification with birth date.

Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze

Locks assessed value in place; income limits increased to $79,000 for 2026

Freezes the assessed value at the base year level for qualifying low-income seniors

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older, have owned and occupied the property for two consecutive years as of January 1, meet household income limits, and already have the Senior Homestead ExemptionDeadline: July 1 annually; applications mailed by Assessment Office in February

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction for 71%+ disabled; $2,500 reduction for 50%-70% disabled

Exemption for disabled veterans based on disability rating

Eligibility: Must be disabled as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and occupy the property as principal residenceDeadline: Apply with Chief County Assessment Office using Form PTAX-342

Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption

$2,000 reduction in assessed value

Exemption for homeowners with disabilities

Eligibility: Must be disabled as defined by Illinois law and occupy the property as principal residenceDeadline: Apply with Chief County Assessment Office using Form PTAX-343

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in assessed value for the year returning and the next taxable year (2 years total)

Exemption for veterans returning from active duty

Eligibility: Must be returning from active duty in the U.S. Armed ForcesDeadline: Apply with Chief County Assessment Office using Form PTAX-341

Home Improvement Exemption

Maximum of $75,000 of market value may be deferred

Defers assessment increases resulting from improvements to owner-occupied homes for four years

Eligibility: Available for improvements such as additions, new garages, finished basements, decks, porches to owner-occupied homes. Does not apply to new construction.Deadline: Automatically applied by Township Assessor in most cases; may require Form PTAX-323

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Rock Island County?

You must file your appeal with the Rock Island County Board of Review within 30 days from the date assessment changes are published in the Dispatch Argus newspaper. For 2025 assessments, publication occurred on September 27, 2025, making the deadline October 28, 2025. For 2026 assessments (payable in 2027), expect publication in fall 2026, typically late September. Missing this 30-day window means you cannot appeal until the next assessment cycle, which could result in overpaying property taxes for multiple years since Rock Island County operates on a four-year assessment cycle.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Rock Island County?

To file a property tax appeal in Rock Island County, first contact your township assessor for an informal review of your assessment. If that doesn't resolve your concerns, obtain a Board of Review complaint form by calling (309) 558-3672 or visiting the Board of Review office at 1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, Rock Island. Complete the form with detailed information about why your assessment is too high and file it with the Board of Review within 30 days of the newspaper publication date. Include supporting evidence such as comparable sales, photographs, or appraisals. The Board will schedule a hearing where you can present your case.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Rock Island County?

The General Homestead Exemption (also called Owner Occupied Exemption) reduces your property's equalized assessed value by up to $6,000 in Rock Island County, which can save you approximately $120-180 annually depending on your local tax rate. If you're 65 or older, you can also claim the Senior Homestead Exemption for an additional $5,000 reduction in assessed value, for a combined savings of up to $11,000 in assessed value reduction. These exemptions apply automatically in most cases once you apply with your township assessor, but you must occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1 of the assessment year to qualify.

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

The amount you can save depends on how much your assessment is reduced through the appeal process. With Rock Island County's effective tax rate of 2.01%, every $10,000 reduction in your home's market value (which translates to approximately $3,333 in assessed value at the 33.33% assessment ratio) can save you about $201 per year in property taxes. On the typical Rock Island County home valued near $111,700, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying approximately $224 per year, which continues year after year until you successfully appeal it. Over a four-year assessment cycle, this could total nearly $900 in overpayments.

What happens at a Board of Review hearing in Rock Island County?

At a Board of Review hearing in Rock Island County, you will present your evidence to a three-member panel appointed by the County Board explaining why your property's assessment should be reduced. You should bring comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, photographs showing your property's condition, repair estimates, or an independent appraisal. The hearing is an informal proceeding where you have the opportunity to explain your case and answer questions from Board members. After reviewing all evidence, the Board will issue a written decision which is typically mailed several months after the hearing. If you disagree with the Board's decision, you have 30 days to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.

What evidence do I need for a Rock Island County property tax appeal?

For a successful property tax appeal in Rock Island County, you should gather recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value would indicate. Other strong evidence includes an independent appraisal from a licensed appraiser, photographs showing property defects or poor condition, repair estimates or contractor invoices documenting needed repairs, and documentation of your property's characteristics such as square footage, age, and condition. Property owners with well-documented appeals have a much higher chance of success than those with undocumented complaints. The Board of Review needs concrete evidence to justify reducing your assessment, so the more documentation you provide, the stronger your case.

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

Yes, if you disagree with the Rock Island County Board of Review's decision, you have the right to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of receiving the Board of Review's final decision letter. PTAB is a quasi-judicial state body that provides an unbiased forum to contest property assessments. You must file your PTAB appeal in writing with all supporting evidence, and attorney-represented appellants must file electronically through PTAB's e-filing portal at www.ptab.illinois.gov. PTAB will review your case based on the manifest weight of the evidence and can order assessment reductions if warranted. If still unsatisfied after the PTAB decision, you may further appeal to circuit court.

How does Rock Island County's four-year assessment cycle work?

Rock Island County operates on a quadrennial (four-year) assessment cycle, with the current cycle running from 2023 through 2026. In the first year of the cycle (2023), township assessors conduct a general reassessment where they actually view and determine the value of each property as of January 1. In subsequent years, assessors revise and correct assessments as needed based on market conditions, sales data, and property improvements. Assessment notices are typically mailed in September, followed by newspaper publication in late September. All property in the county is reassessed as of January 1 each year, but the comprehensive review occurs in the first year of each four-year cycle.

Official Resources

Rock Island County Assessment Office →

Official county assessment office website with information on assessments, exemptions, and township assessor contacts.

Rock Island County Board of Review →

Board of Review office page with appeal forms, instructions, deadlines, and procedures for filing assessment complaints.

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) →

State-level appeal board website with e-filing portal, forms, instructions, and information for appealing Board of Review decisions.

Rock Island County Property Search →

Online property assessment search tool to look up your property's assessed value, exemptions, and tax information by PIN, address, or owner name.

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 →

Looking for help in Illinois? Compare Illinois property tax appeal services →

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← All Illinois property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/175/Board-of-Review-Office | https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/172/Assessment-Office | https://www.tax-rates.org/illinois/rock_island_county_property_tax | https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/illinois/rock-island | https://www.ptab.illinois.gov/

Last verified: 2026-07-24