Rock Island County Property Tax Appeal — Illinois

Rob Hartley·Updated March 5, 2026

Rock Island County is located in northwestern Illinois along the Mississippi River, with a population of approximately 145,000 as of 2020. The county seat is Rock Island, while Moline is the largest city with a population of 42,985. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Rock Island County because the county's effective property tax rate of 2.01% to 2.90% is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, placing Rock Island County among the top 25% of counties nationwide for property tax collections. With a median home value of approximately $111,700, homeowners in Rock Island County pay a median annual property tax bill of $2,240 to $2,928, which is $452 to $528 higher than the national median property tax bill 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

2026 Appeal Deadline: 30 days from the date assessment changes are published in the 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, expect publication in fall 2026. Property owners have exactly 30 days from the newspaper publication date to file an appeal with the Board of Review.

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

How Rock Island County Assesses Property

33.33%of market value

Assessed by: Township Assessors and Chief County Assessment Office

Assessment cycle: Quadrennial (four-year cycle)

Notices typically mailed: Early fall (September-October)

In Rock Island County, properties are assessed at 33.33% of their market value, as required by Illinois law. Township assessors determine the market value (what your property would sell for), and 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 is a three-member panel appointed by the Rock Island County Board. During your hearing, you will present your evidence and explain why your assessment should be reduced. The Board will consider your evidence along with the township assessor's records and make a determination based on the weight of the evidence.

Step 1: Contact your township assessor first for an informal review of your assessment. Provide any additional information about your property that might affect its value, such as property damage, needed repairs, or sales data for comparable properties.

Step 2: If the township assessor does not adjust your assessment to your satisfaction, determine the basis for your formal appeal. Common grounds include overvaluation compared to market value, assessment inequity compared to similar properties, or errors in property characteristics.

Step 3: File a written complaint with the Rock Island County Board of Review within 30 days of the publication date in the Dispatch Argus newspaper. Obtain complaint forms from the Board of Review office at 1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, or from the county website.

Step 4: Gather and submit evidence supporting your appeal, including comparable property sales data, recent appraisals, photographs of property condition, repair estimates, and any other documentation showing your property's assessed value is incorrect or unfair.

Step 5: Present your evidence at a hearing before the Board of Review. During the hearing, explain why you believe your assessment is incorrect and provide all supporting documentation. The Board will review your evidence and make a decision.

Step 6: If the Board of Review's decision is unsatisfactory, 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 all supporting evidence.

Step 7: If the PTAB decision is still unsatisfactory, you may file a further appeal in circuit court following procedures outlined in the Illinois Property Tax Code.

Required form: Board of Review Complaint Form (available from Board of Review office or county website)

Filing Methods

in-person:1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201 during complaint session (9 am to 4 pm, Monday-Friday)

mail:Board of Review Office, 1504 Third Avenue, Second Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201

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

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property sales data (recent sales of similar homes in your area)Recent professional appraisalPhotographs showing property condition or damageRepair estimates for needed workProperty record cards showing errors in square footage, age, or featuresAssessment data for similar properties showing inequity

Rock Island County Assessor Contact

Rock Island County Chief County Assessment Office

Phone: (309) 558-3660

Address: 1504 Third Avenue, County Office Building, 2nd Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201

Website: https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/172/Assessment-Office

Online Portal: https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/176/Assessment-Search

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 owner-occupied residential property

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1 of the assessment year. Cannot claim this exemption on any other property in Illinois.Deadline: Contact township assessor or Chief County Assessment Office to apply

Senior Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in assessed value

Additional exemption for senior citizens age 65 and older

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older during the assessment year and own and occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1. This exemption may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption.Deadline: Apply with township assessor or Chief County Assessment Office with proof of age

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze (Low-Income)

Freezes assessed value; income limits increased to $79,000 for 2026 (payable 2027) per recent state law

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, and meet household income limits. Must already have the Senior Homestead Exemption.Deadline: July 1 annually; applications mailed by Assessment Office in February

Homestead Improvement Exemption

Up to $25,000 of added value deferred

Defers the increase in assessed value resulting from home improvements

Eligibility: Available for improvements to owner-occupied homes such as additions, new garages, finished basements, etc. Does not apply to new construction.Deadline: Four-year deferral; may be granted automatically or Form PTAX-323 may be required

Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption

$2,000 reduction in assessed value

Annual reduction for persons with disabilities

Eligibility: Must be disabled as certified by the State of Illinois or U.S. Government, own or have legal interest in the property, and occupy it as principal residence.Deadline: Initial application with Form PTAX-343; annual renewal required with Form PTAX-343-R

Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption

$5,000 for veterans with 70%+ disability; $2,500 for 50-69% disability

Exemption for service-disabled veterans

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with service-connected disability certified by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or surviving unmarried spouse.Deadline: Apply with Form PTAX-342 at Chief County Assessment Office

Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in assessed value

Temporary exemption for veterans returning from active duty

Eligibility: Available for the taxable year in which the veteran returns from active duty and the following taxable year (2 years total).Deadline: Apply with Form PTAX-341 at Chief County Assessment Office or township assessor

Veterans with Disabilities Exemption for Specially-Adapted Housing

Up to $100,000 reduction in assessed value

Major exemption for veterans with specially-adapted housing

Eligibility: Property must be specially adapted housing for which federal funds were used for purchase or construction. Available to veteran, spouse, or unmarried surviving spouse.Deadline: Contact Chief County Assessment Office for application procedures

Official Resources

Rock Island County Assessment Office →

Official county assessment office website with information on assessments, exemptions, and property tax relief programs.

Rock Island County Property Assessment Search →

Online tool to search and view property assessment information, including assessed values and property characteristics.

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) →

State-level appeal board providing forms, instructions, and e-filing portal for property tax appeals after Board of Review decisions.

Rock Island County Board of Review →

Board of Review office information including appeal procedures, deadlines, complaint forms, and hearing schedules.

Check Your Rock Island County Assessment

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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, 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.

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. 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 details about your property and why you believe the assessment is incorrect. Submit the form along with supporting evidence such as comparable sales data, appraisals, or photos showing property condition within 30 days of the publication date. You can file in person during complaint session hours (9 am to 4 pm, Monday-Friday) or by mail.

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. This 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% ratio) can save you about $201 per year in property taxes. For example, if you successfully prove your home's market value is $120,000 instead of $140,000, you would save approximately $402 annually. Over a typical four-year assessment cycle, this adds up to $1,608 in savings. Given that approximately 25% of homes may be overassessed, appealing can provide substantial savings if you have strong evidence.

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

Strong appeals require multiple types of evidence showing your property is overvalued or inequitably assessed. The most compelling evidence includes recent comparable sales data showing similar homes in your neighborhood selling for less than your assessed market value, a recent professional appraisal conducted by a licensed appraiser, photographs documenting property damage or deferred maintenance, and written repair estimates for needed work. You should also obtain property record cards from your township assessor to verify the accuracy of your home's characteristics like square footage, age, number of rooms, and condition. Assessment data for comparable properties can demonstrate if your property is assessed at a higher percentage than similar homes, establishing inequity.

When will I receive my Rock Island County assessment notice for 2026?

Rock Island County typically mails assessment notices in early fall, with publication in the Dispatch Argus newspaper occurring in late September. For 2026 assessments (payable in 2027), expect to receive your assessment notice by mail in September 2026, followed by newspaper publication around September 27, 2026. The county is currently in a four-year assessment cycle that began with 2023 assessments and continues through 2026. Assessment notices include both your property's market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. If you receive a notice showing an increase, you have 30 days from the publication date to file an appeal.

Can I appeal to the state if the 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.

What is the Senior Assessment Freeze and how do I qualify in Rock Island County?

The Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze (also called Low-Income Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption or LISCAFHE) freezes your property's assessed value at the base year level, protecting you from assessment increases. To qualify, you must be 65 or older, have owned and occupied the property as your principal residence for two consecutive years as of January 1, meet household income limits, and already have the Senior Homestead Exemption. Recent Illinois legislation increased the income limit to $79,000 for 2026 (payable 2027). Rock Island County Assessment Office mails applications to qualifying seniors in February, and the deadline to apply is July 1 annually. This can provide substantial savings as home values increase over time.

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.rockislandcountyil.gov/172/Assessment-Office | https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/175/Board-of-Review-Office | https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/180/Appealing-an-Assessment | https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/187/Property-Tax-Relief | https://www.tax-rates.org/illinois/rock_island_county_property_tax | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/illinois/rock-island-county | https://www.ptab.illinois.gov/

Last verified: 2026-03-05