South Cook News

Patricia Bonk, a candidate for Illinois’ House District 30, has recently taken to social media to inform residents of Bremen and Rich Townships about the upcoming deadlines for filing property tax appeals. She provided essential information regarding the appeal process and its deadline.

“If you live in Bremen Township you have until Tuesday 1/2 to file an appeal for your taxes with The Cook County Board of review (BOR) website if you live in Rich Township you have until 1/16,” Bonk said on Facebook. “It doesn’t matter if you filed an appeal with the cook county assessor or not.”

“Go on the BOR (Board of Review) website and file an appeal. You have nothing to lose.”

Offering insights into the process, Bonk explained how to fill out the form. 

"You will get to a part of the form to enter comparables if you have them," she said. 

Before filing an appeal, she recommended visiting the Cook County assessor's website to find similar homes in one's neighborhood that are assessed lower than theirs. She suggested noting down their PIN numbers and trying to find at least five such properties.

Additionally, Bonk offered suggestions on finding supporting evidence for their appeal. 

"Also go to a real estate website like Homes.com and find recently sold homes in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value and write the addresses and sold prices down," she advised. 

Bonk encouraged residents to include any comparable findings from either the assessor's website or real estate websites in their Board of Review appeal.

The property tax appeal period in Cook County usually lasts 30 days after receiving the reassessment notice, with a clearly stated deadline on the notice itself. The Cook County Assessor's office noted on its website that "Filing an appeal is free and can be done online in as little as 20 minutes." They also provide flexibility for subsequent appeals, allowing property owners to appeal the following year if they miss the current appeal period.

Bonk, a registered nurse and emergency responder, has served as a firefighter for the Villages of Lemont and Northwest Homer. She currently holds the office of Trustee in the Midlothian Library Board and actively participates in the Midlothian policing committee. A cancer survivor, Bonk also serves as a Team Leader for the South Suburban Cancer Walk, according to her website.

Illinois’ House District 30 encompasses communities such as Dolton, South Holland, Harvey, Markham, Oak Forest, Midlothian, and Homewood along with parts of Tinley Park and Olympia Fields. The district is currently represented by State Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood), who has held his role for 20 years and plans to seek another term to represent District 30 according to Ballotpedia.