Aurora Property Assessments - Illinois Homeowner Guide

Taxation and Finance Illinois 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of Illinois

Aurora, Illinois homeowners often face questions about how their property's assessed value is determined and what steps to take if they believe an assessment is incorrect. Assessments for properties in Aurora are administered by the county assessor offices that serve the city's different county portions; the process affects your property tax bill and your options to appeal or request exemptions. This guide explains who sets values, typical evidence used in reviews, the local offices to contact, and practical steps to challenge an assessment or request a correction.

How assessments work

Assessors determine local assessed values from sales, building records, and valuation models maintained by the county. Aurora spans multiple counties, so your official assessor will be the county office where your parcel is located — for example Kane County or DuPage County. For county-specific procedures and contacts, consult your county assessor's site directly Kane County Assessor[1] and DuPage County Assessor[2].

Check which county your parcel is in before you start an appeal.

Common valuation drivers

  • Recent comparable sales of nearby properties.
  • Property condition, renovations, and permitted changes in building records.
  • Timing of sales relative to the assessment date and any reappraisal cycle.
  • Exemptions or homestead credits that adjust taxable value.

Penalties & Enforcement

Assessment disputes are administrative matters handled by county assessors and boards of review; enforcement actions and criminal penalties typically relate to false statements or fraud rather than the valuation itself. Specific monetary fines and escalation amounts for assessment-related violations are not specified on the cited pages for county assessor guidance; consult the enforcing office for exact penalty provisions. Contact your county assessor to report suspected fraud or to request an inspection. For appeals beyond the county, Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board procedures apply Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board[3].

  • Enforcer: county assessor office and county Board of Review (contact via county assessor site).
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: file a review request with the assessor, then a formal complaint to the county Board of Review.
  • Appeals beyond the Board of Review: state-level appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board; see their site for process details.[3]
  • Fines/penalties: not specified on the cited county assessor pages.
  • Common violations: failure to report required property changes, false statement on declarations, or refusal allowing inspections; penalties vary and are typically set by statute or county rule.

Applications & Forms

Counties publish forms for informal review, Board of Review complaints, and instructions for state appeals. Availability, form names, and any filing fees differ by county and by year; where forms or fees are not shown on a county assessor page, they are not specified on the cited page. For state-level petitions and filing details, see the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board site for official forms and filing instructions.[3]

How to prepare an appeal

Gather clear, contemporaneous evidence: recent comparable sales, photos, contractor invoices, and permit records. Start with an informal review at the assessor's office; if not satisfied, file a formal complaint with the county Board of Review, and if necessary pursue a state appeal.

Keep thorough records of sales and permits to strengthen any appeal.

FAQ

How do I find which county assessor handles my Aurora property?
Check your deed or the county GIS parcel lookup, or contact the City of Aurora finance or property tax information page for guidance on county boundaries.
Can I lower my assessment without filing a formal appeal?
Yes; request an informal review with the assessor, provide supporting evidence, and ask for a correction if there is an obvious error.
What if the assessor refuses to change the value?
File a complaint with the county Board of Review and, if still unsatisfied, consider an appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.

How-To

  1. Confirm your county assessor and parcel details using the county GIS or assessor lookup.
  2. Collect evidence: comparable sales, photos, permit and repair invoices, and tax history.
  3. Request an informal review with the assessor and submit your documents.
  4. If the result is unsatisfactory, file a formal complaint with the county Board of Review following that county's form and instructions.
  5. As a last administrative step, consider petitioning the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board; follow PTAB filing rules and use official forms.

Key Takeaways

  • Assessments are administered by county assessors; confirm which county covers your Aurora parcel.
  • Gather concrete evidence before appealing: comps, permits, and photos.
  • Use the county Board of Review first, then the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board if needed.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Kane County Assessor
  2. [2] DuPage County Assessor
  3. [3] Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board

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