Metro East Sun

Jersey County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). Often referred to as the "multiplier," this factor helps ensure property assessments across counties are uniform, a legal requirement in Illinois.

The necessity of equalization arises primarily because several of the state's 6,600 local taxing districts intersect multiple counties, such as school, junior college, and fire protection districts. Without equalization, taxpayers with similar properties could face significant inequalities in assessments.

By law, Illinois property must be assessed at one-third of its market value. However, farm properties are assessed differently, with homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessment procedures, while farmland and buildings are evaluated based on productivity standards.

The process of determining the equalization factor compares property sales prices over three years with their assessed values as set by the county supervisor of assessments or county assessor. An average assessment level at one-third of market value results in an equalization factor of 1.0000. Jersey County's current assessments are at 33.59% of market value, based on property sales from the years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

This tentative equalization factor applies to taxes in 2024, payable in 2025. The prior year's factor for Jersey County also stood at 1.0000.

The proposed factor could change if the County Board of Review effects significant adjustments in assessments or if additional data suggests IDOR's assessment estimates require revision. A public hearing will be scheduled within 20 to 30 days following the publication of the tentative factor in a widely circulated county newspaper.

Changes in the equalization factor do not imply an automatic increase or decrease in property tax bills. Instead, tax bills are determined by the requests of local taxing bodies. If these requests do not exceed the previous year's amounts, total property taxes remain unchanged even if assessments rise.

Each property's assessed value dictates its share of the tax burden. An individual's tax responsibility does not shift as a result of the multiplier.