Cook County Board of Review Appeals Open August 31 for Six Townships

As of August 31, 2026, the Cook County Board of Review is accepting assessment appeals for properties in Berwyn, Cicero, Elk Grove, Lakeview, Maine, and Palos Townships. The deadline for this group is Tuesday, September 29, 2026. This is a separate appeal window from the Cook County Assessor’s township period, so an owner should not assume the opportunity ended when the Assessor window closed.

Check the Younis Law Group Cook County deadline tracker before filing. It separates current Assessor and Board of Review windows and links to the government source for each date.

Which townships are open at the Board of Review right now?

The August 31 group covers Berwyn, Cicero, Elk Grove, Lakeview, Maine, and Palos Townships. The Board announced one shared closing date—September 29—for all six. Township names matter because Cook County filing calendars follow township boundaries, not simply a mailing address or municipality name.

A Chicago mailing address may fall in Lakeview Township, while a suburban address may be located in a township whose name differs from the municipality. Confirm the township attached to the property’s PIN before relying on a deadline.

Can you file even if the Assessor appeal period already closed?

Yes. The Board of Review is the second administrative level of assessment review in Cook County. Its filing calendar is separate from the Assessor’s calendar. An owner may generally seek Board review after an Assessor decision, and the Board’s newly opened period can also matter to an owner who did not complete an Assessor filing. The correct route depends on the property, ownership structure, and current rules.

Do not confuse an assessment appeal with an exemption application or a challenge to the amount of a tax bill. An assessment appeal asks whether the property’s assessed valuation is supportable. Tax rates, exemptions, and local levies can also affect the final bill, but they are separate questions.

What should an owner gather before September 29?

Start with the property’s 14-digit PIN, current assessment, assessment history, property characteristics, and any prior Assessor filing or decision. Then match the evidence to the reason for requesting relief. A residential uniformity argument may use similar properties with comparable size, age, class, location, and condition. A market-value argument may rely on a recent arm’s-length sale or other credible valuation evidence.

Commercial and larger multifamily properties usually require a more developed record. Useful material may include a property summary, photographs, income and expense information, rent rolls, vacancy documentation, an appraisal when appropriate, and a short explanation tying the evidence to the requested value. The Board’s official rules control what must be filed and when.

Is there a government filing fee?

The Cook County Board of Review states that it does not charge a fee to file an appeal. That is different from professional fees charged by a lawyer, appraiser, or other representative. Any law-firm fee arrangement depends on the engagement terms and should be reviewed before work begins.

Should you wait until the last day?

No. Waiting compresses the time available to confirm the correct PINs, identify the right valuation theory, and organize supporting documents. Online filing can also require account setup and document labeling. The Board permits evidence to be added through its portal, subject to its rules and deadlines, but the safest approach is to submit a complete, coherent record early enough to correct avoidable problems.

What is the practical next step?

If the property is in one of the six open townships, review the assessment now and compare it with credible market or uniformity evidence. Owners who want counsel can review Younis Law Group’s Cook County property tax appeal service and request a case review before the September 29 deadline.

Official sources: Cook County Board of Review Group 2 announcement and Board filing dates.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and filing requirements can change; verify the current calendar and rules with the Cook County Board of Review.