BOMA/Chicago Backed Property Tax Transparency Bill Moves Forward

Published by BOMA/Chicago on: March 16, 2026

BOMA/Chicago’s push for greater transparency in property assessments took an important step forward this spring with the advancement of House Bill 1818, sponsored by State Representative Curtis Tarver. The legislation aims to modernize outdated practices in the Cook County Assessor’s Office and make it easier for taxpayers to understand how their properties are valued. 

HB 1818 updates decades old recordkeeping requirements that still reference physical “record cards,” directing assessor offices to maintain electronic records that can be accessed online or by email. This change is designed to reduce in person visits, FOIA requests, and long waits for basic information. 

The bill also requires the Assessor’s Office to provide free access to the data used to determine a property’s value—including the valuation approach and key factors such as cap rates, vacancy, rental income, comparable sales, and depreciation.  

Another major provision expands transparency in the appeals process. Under current law, taxpayers cannot present evidence about how their property was assessed, and courts cannot consider the assessor’s valuation methods. HB 1818 removes those restrictions so that assessment practices can be reviewed more openly and fairly. 

The bill passed unanimously in the House Revenue Committee and now moves to the House floor for second reading.