2009 ***IMPORTANT*** DATES Click here to open & close

Last updated June 2009
June 5
First installment of property tax bill due
July 1
Senior Citizen Freeze Exemption application is due
August
The Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments will publish the 2009 values; taxpayers have 30 days from the date of publication to file an appeal on their assessment; Aug 1, check this site or call our office for the exact date of publication; As soon as notices are published, this section will be updated
SEPTEMBER
APPEAL FILING DEADLINE; Deadline is 30 days from date of publication of the 2009 values; Since the County has not published values yet, check this site or call our office Aug 1 for the exact deadline; As soon as the deadline is established, this section will be updated
September 4
Second installment of property tax bill due

Sale Comparable FAQs Click here to open & close

Last updated June 2009
What's Available
Sale comparables on this site are unique to single-family valid sales within Rockford Township that were used to help establish assessed values. For the 2008 Assessment Year, the sale years used in valuation are 2007, 2006, & 2005. August 2009, the sales will be updated to reflect sales used for the 2009 Assessment Year.
Instructions

Please follow the instructions below to locate single family sales from your neighborhood.

  1. Search your parcel by using the Quick Search field in the upper left corner or by using the Property Search link located in the upper right corner
  2. On the search results page, click your PIN number located in the left column
  3. On the property details page, click View Neighborhood Sales located at the top of the page

Definition: Valid Sale

Only valid sales are used because it is the requirement under the IL Property Tax Code. The Illinois Department of Revenue sets the parameters by which sales are judged as valid. A sale is considered valid when the transaction is an arm’s length transaction. This information is gathered from the Real Estate Transfer Declaration (PTAX Form 203 or a.k.a the Green Sheet.)

An Arms Length Transaction is defined as:

  • Conveyance is via a Warranty Deed or Trustee's Deed
  • All parties must be knowledgeable of the market
  • All parties must be able to make informed decisions without undue influence
  • The property must be exposed to the open market
  • The principal buyer and seller are unrelated individuals or corporations
  • The transaction cannot involve a financial or governmental agency as a principal buyer or seller

Definition: Invalid Sale

Invalid sales must be excluded from sale studies as required under the IL Property Tax Code. The Illinois Department of Revenue sets the guidelines by which sales are judged as invalid. Invalid sales are transactions that meet one or many of the following criteria. This information is gathered from the Real Estate Transfer Declaration (PTAX Form 203 or a.k.a the Green Sheet.)

  • The transaction involves a financial or government agency
  • Multiple parcels are sold in the same transaction
  • One parcel is being divided into multiple parcels
  • Parties are related individuals or corporations
  • The sale is mandated by the court (foreclosure, divorce decree, intestate, etc.)
  • Only a portion of the parcel or partial interest is transferred
  • Parcels are traded
  • A deed other than a Warranty Deed or Trustee's Deed is used to convey the parcel(s)
  • The property was not exposed to the open market
Using Comparables

Focus on comparables that are closest to yours geographically as well as in:

  • Square Footage (both above the ground and below)
  • Style (ranch, 2 story, cape cod, split-level, colonial etc.)
  • Amount of finished space (both above the ground and below, including attic space)
  • Features (decks, patios, porches, bays, heating type, A/C, baths, fireplaces, etc.)
  • Condition
  • Type of construction (brick, frame, vinyl, stucco, etc.)
How to find comparables not listed on this site
  • Hire an Illinois Licensed Appraiser
  • Contact a Realtor or a real estate firm
  • Conduct your own independent research separate from this site
  • Seek the advice of someone who has already successfully appealed their assessment

The Assessment Cycle Click here to open & close

Last updated June 2009
January 2009
  • January 1 begins the 2009 assessment year
  • Properties are valued based on the condition and state of the parcel as of January 1
  • Since property taxes are paid in arrears, a property's Jan. 1, 2009 value generates a tax bill payable in June & September of the following year
  • Example: The 2009 assessment year has a tax bill that is mailed in May of 2010 and payable in June & September 2010
February/March 2009
  • Review and adopt the Road District & Township budgets for the 2009-2010 fiscal year (04/01/09 - 03/31/10); In February 2010, contact our office for the exact date and time for budget hearings on the 2010/2011 fiscal year.
April 2009
  • The Winnebago County Clerk calculates the 2008 tax rates for all taxing bodies in the County
May 2009
  • The Winnebago County Treasurer mails the 2008 tax bills
June 2009
  • First installment of the 2008 property tax bill is due
August/September 2009
  • 2009 Township assessment books are closed and analyzed by the Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments
  • The Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments evaluates Rockford Township's preliminary values and determines whether they are under, over, or at the statutory assessment level (1/3 of fair market value). The County will then apply a multiplier to all parcels to raise, lower, or not do anything further to the Township Assessor's values.
  • The Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments publishes the 2009 values; Rockford Township is printed in the Rockford Journal, which is available at our office free of charge and the notices are available online
  • Taxpayers have 30 days from the date of publication to file an assessment appeal
  • For the exact date of publication, check this site or call our office around Aug 1
September 2009
  • Second installment of the 2008 property tax bill is due
  • The 2009 Assessment Appeal filing deadline will occur
  • After the deadline, the Winnebago County Board of Review will not accept appeals. It will be too late to file. No exceptions.
  • For the exact appeal filing deadline, check this site or call our office around Aug 1
October 2009
  • The Winnebago County Treasurer notifies the Winnebago County Clerk of the date to hold the annual tax sales for all parcels with unpaid property taxes
  • The Winnebago County Clerk conducts the tax sales for all parcels in the County
November 2009 - February 2010
  • The Winnebago County Board of Review mails 2009 preliminary decisions to taxpayers who filed an appeal
  • The Winnebago County Board of Review hosts 2009 hearings for appellants who request one within 10 days of the preliminary decision notice
  • The Winnebago County Board of Review mails 2009 final decisions to appellants
  • The Winnebago County Board of Review closes session for the 2009 assessment/ tax year
January 2010
  • The assessment calendar repeats itself

 

Welcome to the online home of the
Rockford Township Assessor's Office!
View useful resources available online
Learn about the appeal process

This website is designed to be a useful tool for over 70,000 residential & commercial parcels located within Rockford Township. We hope you find this site helpful for practical information about specific properties and the assessment process in general.

You deserve the best possible service at our office and over the internet. I appreciate your comments and suggestions about our service and ways to improve your web experience.

Feel free to call or email me with your questions, comments, or concerns.

 

Respectfully,

Ken Crowley, Rockford Township Assessor
815.965.0300 | kencrowley@twp.rockford.il.us

Ken Crowley

Dates to Remember

January Properties are valued as of January 1st of the tax year. (e.g. Property taxes are paid in arrears. January 1, 2007 generates a value for the 2007 tax year payable in June & September 2008)
April Tax rates are determined by the Winnebago County Clerk
May Tax bills are mailed by the Winnebago County Treasurer
June
  • First installment of the Property Tax Bill is due
  • Senior Citizen Freeze Exemption application is due by July 1st
August/September
  • Township Assessment books are closed
  • Assessment Change Notices are published by the Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments.  Taxpayers have 30 days from publication to file an assessment complaint.  For the exact date of publication, check this site or call our office
September Second installment of the Property Tax Bill is due
November - January
  • Board of Review mails preliminary decisions to taxpayers who filed a complaint
  • Board of Review hosts hearings for taxpayers who request them and renders a final decision on the assessment complaint