Property Tax Refunds Delayed in Cook County

In South Barrington, Illinois, a significant amount of property tax refunds in Cook County are currently stalled, primarily due to delays in updating the county’s computer systems. One homeowner, Sherry Schnell, has been waiting for over $9,000 in refunds, even though her issues began years before these system upgrades were initiated.

Schnell has finally received her signed certificate of negligence, but the refunds still haven’t come through. “The issue is they haven’t paid the money yet,” she noted, expressing frustration over the long wait.

More than a year ago, the ABC7 I-Team uncovered a mistake regarding her home’s square footage, which incorrectly inflated her tax bill. “We feel like we owe it, and rightly so. We paid when we shouldn’t have,” Schnell commented, indicating a sense of injustice over the situation.

What’s causing the hold-up? Cook County officials report that over $84 million in property tax refunds for more than 37,000 homeowners are affected by the ongoing computer system update. Schnell’s specific ordeal dates back to when she realized properties like hers were undervalued, while some larger homes were undervalued even more.

In a previous report from October 2024, collaboration between the I-Team and a local deputy assessor revealed discrepancies in the county’s appraisal of Schnell’s home, which led to an increased tax bill.

By May of this year, she still had not received her expected funds. “They did not issue a certificate of error,” Schnell explained, leading the I-Team to engage with county officials for clarity.

Cook County Board of Auditors District 1 Commissioner George Cardenas acknowledged that he reached out to the Cook County Assessor’s Office after inquiries from the I-Team. When asked about proof of errors regarding the tax assessments, Cardenas confirmed, “We didn’t. We didn’t.” He noted that once they moved forward, the error certificates were processed and signed, crediting the media’s involvement for helping address the situation.

The Cook County Assessor’s Office mentioned that the correction process requires time and may need another on-site inspection of Schnell’s home. “We understand her frustration. This can be a frustrating process,” said Angelina Romero, the chief communications officer. She emphasized the necessity of having proof of error and cooperation between offices to resolve these issues fully.

However, the delays in Cook County’s computer upgrades continue to affect Schnell’s funding. In July, the I-Team reported on the ongoing conflicts between county officials and Tyler Technologies, the private company responsible for the upgrade. The county has reportedly paid nearly $29 million over the past decade. Moreover, an investigation revealed that Tyler Technologies’ operating license was revoked earlier this year, although it has since been reinstated, which the company attributed to an administrative error.

At this point, homeowners like Schnell are left waiting to see evidence of the errors that led to their financial difficulties. “Maybe they want us to give up, but I’m not going to give up because what’s fair is fair,” she asserted.

The disruptions from the computer upgrades have also postponed millions in property tax payments to about 2,200 taxing agencies that depend on this funding. Second property tax bills, initially expected to be issued months ago, might now see light in November or December, although the timeline remains uncertain.