Tarver Works to Advance Legislation Strengthening Transparency in the Local Property Tax System

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— State Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, D-Chicago is working to advance legislation that increases transparency in the property tax assessment process by requiring counties to make assessment records electronically accessible to the public online.

“Taxpayers deserve to understand how their property values are determined,” said Tarver. “This bill ensures that assessment data is accessible, transparent, and available in a format that makes sense for the public.”

Tarver’s House Bill 1818 requires counties to maintain property tax assessment records in electronic format and make those records available online. Where records are not currently electronic, counties must convert them as soon as feasible. This bill also allows individuals requesting electronic records to receive them in the format specified, if feasible, while limiting fees to the actual cost of the recording medium.

In Cook County, the measure further clarifies that assessment records must include the factors used to determine fair cash value, such as capitalization rates, income data, expense ratios, vacancy rates, depreciation, and comparable sales adjustments, providing taxpayers clearer insight into how their property assessments are calculated.

This bill also updates procedures for tax objection hearings by allowing additional appropriate parties to be named in a complaint, ensuring all relevant stakeholders are properly represented in disputes.

“At the end of the day, this bill is about accountability,” said Tarver. “When people can see how decisions are made and have clearer access to the information behind them, it builds trust in the system.”

The bill is currently pending before committee.