Cook County Tax Sale Begins on May 12

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will conduct the annual sale of delinquent property taxes from May 12 – 18, 2022. This Tax Sale is for delinquent property taxes from Tax Year 2019, which were due in two installments in 2020.

Approximately $175.6 million in unpaid 2019 property taxes are overdue on 37,176 properties in Cook County. The properties include homes, businesses and vacant land throughout Chicago (17,709 properties) and Cook County suburbs (19,467 properties). Less than $1,000 is owed on 19,350 properties.

Owners of these properties were sent notices via certified mail informing them that their unpaid taxes are to be auctioned, which would put a lien against their properties. However, the U.S. Postal Service has returned nearly 15,000 bills and subsequent notices.

Share the following steps with your sphere to ensure they’re not impacted by the Tax Sale:

  • Log on to cookcountytreasurer.com
  • Click “Avoid the Tax Sale”
  • Search for your home or other property by entering your Property Index Number
  • Pay any delinquent taxes and interest before May 12

Under Illinois law, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office is required to put delinquent taxes, not the property itself, up for auction.

Visit cookcountytreasurer.com and click on “Avoid the Tax Sale” for more information and to see if your property is on the Tax Sale list.