The Assessor, the Board of Review & beyond
What is the difference between the Assessor and the Board of Review?
They are two separate Cook County authorities and two separate appeal stages. The Assessor sets your property’s assessed value and is the first place you appeal. The Board of Review is an independent, separately elected body that hears appeals after the Assessor — a second, fresh chance to reduce your assessment, even if the Assessor already ruled.
Both stages are free, and you can use both in the same year. Their windows differ: the Assessor opens each township first, and the Board of Review opens that township later, after the Assessor certifies. Many homeowners who get little from the Assessor succeed at the Board of Review.
Check your address — freeSee your own assessment math before you file. You keep 100%.