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REVENUE
(35 ILCS 200/) Property Tax Code.

35 ILCS 200/18-250

    (35 ILCS 200/18-250)
    Sec. 18-250. Additions to forfeited taxes and unpaid special assessments; fee for estimate.
    (a) When any property has been forfeited for taxes or special assessments, the clerk shall compute the amount of back taxes and special assessments, interest, statutory costs, and printer's fees remaining due, with one year's interest on all taxes forfeited, and enter them upon the collector's books as separate items. Except as otherwise provided in Section 21-375, the aggregate so computed shall be collected in the same manner as the taxes on other property for that year. The county clerk shall examine the forfeitures, and strike all errors and make corrections as necessary. For counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, interest added to forfeitures under this Section shall be at the rate of 12% per year. For counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, interest added to forfeitures under this Section shall accrue at the rate of (i) 12% per year if the forfeiture is for a tax year before tax year 2023 or (ii) 0.75% per month, or portion thereof, if the forfeiture is for tax year 2023 or any tax year thereafter.
    (b) In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, taxes first extended for prior years, or previously extended for prior years for which application for judgment and order of sale is not already pending, shall be added to the tax of the current year, with interest and costs as provided by law. Forfeitures shall not be so added, but they shall remain a lien on the property upon which they were charged until paid or sold as provided by law. There shall be added to such forfeitures annually the same interest as would be added if forfeited annually, until paid or sold, and the addition of each year's interest shall be considered a separate forfeiture. Forfeitures may be redeemed in the manner provided in Section 21-370 or 21-375. Taxes and special assessments for which application for judgment and order of sale is pending, or entered but not enforced for any reason, shall not be added to the tax for the current year. However, if the taxes and special assessments remain unpaid, the property, shall be advertised and sold under judgments and orders of sale to be entered in pending applications, or already entered in prior applications, including judgments and orders of sale under which the purchaser fails to complete his or her purchase.
    (c) In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, on or before January 1, 2001 and during each year thereafter, the county clerk shall compute the amount of taxes on each property that remain due or forfeited for any year prior to the current year and have not become subject to Sections 20-180 through 20-190, and the clerk shall enter the same upon the collector's warrant books of the current and all following years as separate items in a suitable column. The county clerk shall examine the collector's warrant books and the Tax Judgment, Sale, Redemption and Forfeiture records for the appropriate years and may take any other actions as the clerk finds to be necessary or convenient in order to comply with this subsection. On and after January 1, 2001, any taxes for any year remaining due or forfeited against real property in such county not entered on the current collector's warrant books shall be deemed uncollectible and void, but shall not be subject to the posting or other requirements of Sections 20-180 through 20-190.
    (d) In counties with 100,000 or more inhabitants, the county clerk shall, when making the annual collector's books, in a suitable column, insert and designate previous forfeitures of general taxes by the word "forfeiture", to be stamped opposite each property forfeited at the last previous tax sale for general taxes and not redeemed or purchased previous to the completion of the collector's books. The collectors of general taxes shall stamp upon all bills rendered and receipts given the information on the collector's books regarding forfeiture of general taxes, and the stamped notation shall also refer the recipient to the county clerk for full information. The county clerk shall be allowed to collect from the person requesting an estimate of costs of redemption of a forfeited property, the fee provided by law.
(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/18-255

    (35 ILCS 200/18-255)
    Sec. 18-255. Abstract of assessments and extensions. When the collector's books are completed, the county clerk shall make a complete statement of the assessment and extensions, in conformity to the instructions of the Department. The clerk shall certify the statement to the Department.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 1, p. 1136; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/18-260

    (35 ILCS 200/18-260)
    Sec. 18-260. Equalization certificate. The county clerk shall make, in each collector's book, a certificate of the equalization factor as determined by the Department.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 1, p. 1136; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/18-265

    (35 ILCS 200/18-265)
    Sec. 18-265. Collector's warrant. A warrant, under the signature and official seal of the county clerk, shall be annexed to each collector's book, commanding the collector to collect from the persons named in the book the sums entered opposite their respective names. The warrant shall direct the collector to pay the taxes collected to the officers entitled to them.
(Source: P.A. 84-550; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/18-270

    (35 ILCS 200/18-270)
    Sec. 18-270. Delivery of collector's books. County clerks shall deliver the books for the collection of taxes and the books for the collection of taxes charged against railroad property to the duly qualified county or township collectors on or before December 31 annually, or as soon as practicable. Each collector shall receive the books or as soon as he or she is qualified. However, for the 10 years next following the completion of a general reassessment of property in any county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants made under an order of the Department, as soon as such books are ready for delivery the county clerk shall specify a day for the delivery of the books to the collectors, shall give notice to the collectors of the specified day, and shall deliver the books on that day.
(Source: P.A. 76-2254; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/18-275

    (35 ILCS 200/18-275)
    Sec. 18-275. Delivery to township collectors. On the delivery of the tax books to the township collectors, the clerk shall make a certified statement setting forth the name of each township collector, the amount of taxes to be collected and paid for each purpose for which the tax is levied in each taxing district and furnish the same statement to the county collector.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/Tit. 7

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Tit. 7 heading)
TITLE 7. TAX COLLECTION

35 ILCS 200/Art. 19

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Art. 19 heading)
Article 19. Tax Collection Officials

35 ILCS 200/19-5

    (35 ILCS 200/19-5)
    Sec. 19-5. Township collector's bond and oath. Each township collector, before entering upon the duties of office, shall execute a bond, with surety or sureties to be approved by the supervisor and the township clerk. The bond shall be given for a sum equal to 160% of the largest amount of taxes collected by that officer or predecessor in office in any one year during the preceding 5 years if individuals act as sureties, or equal to 110% of such largest amount if the security is given by a surety company authorized to do business in this state, estimated by the supervisor and township clerk, that will be in his or her custody or control at any one time. Signatures to such bond, signed with a mark, shall be witnessed, but in no other case shall witness be required. The bond shall be substantially in the following form:
    We A. B. of the .... of .... in the County of .... in the State of Illinois, as township collector, and C. D. and E. F. of that county and State, as securities, are obligated to the People of the State of Illinois, in the penal sum of $.... for the payment of which, we obligate ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, successors and assigns. Signed on (insert date).
    The condition of the foregoing bond is such, that if the above obligated A. B. performs all the duties required to be performed as collector of the taxes for the year (insert year) in the township of .... in the county of ...., Illinois, in the time and manner prescribed by law, and when he or she shall be succeeded in office, shall surrender and deliver over to his or her successor in office all books, papers and moneys pertaining to the office, except as hereinafter provided, then the foregoing bond to be void; otherwise to remain in full force.
    It is expressly understood and intended that the obligation of the above named sureties shall not extend to any loss sustained by the insolvency, failure or closing of any bank or trust company organized and operating either under the laws of the State of Illinois or the United States wherein the collector has placed the funds in his or her custody or control, or any part thereof.
A. B. ....(Signature)
C. D. ....(Signature)
E. F. ....(Signature)

    He or she shall also take and subscribe an oath, to be endorsed on the back of the bond, substantially as follows:
    I do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of township collector, according to the best of my ability.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

35 ILCS 200/19-10

    (35 ILCS 200/19-10)
    Sec. 19-10. Filing of bond. The township supervisor shall, within six business days after approval of the township collector's bond, file the bond, with the approval endorsed thereon, in the office of the county recorder, who shall record the bond, including the oath, in a book for that purpose. When recorded, the oath and bond shall be filed by the county recorder in the office of the county clerk. A bond, when so filed for record, shall be a lien against the property of the township collector until he or she has complied with the conditions thereof.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-15

    (35 ILCS 200/19-15)
    Sec. 19-15. Township collector's warrant. The county clerk, upon request by any collector, shall attach a warrant, under his or her signature and the seal of office, to any list furnished by the collector to his or her deputy. The warrant shall be in the same form as in the original collector's list or book, except that the amount collected by the deputy shall be paid to the collector, who shall pay it to the proper officer or persons.
(Source: P.A. 84-550; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-20

    (35 ILCS 200/19-20)
    Sec. 19-20. Township collector; vacancy. If any township collector refuses to serve, is prevented from completing his or her duties, or the office becomes vacant for any reason, the township board of trustees shall forthwith appoint a collector for the remainder of the year, who shall give the same security, be subject to the same penalties, and have the same power and compensation as the township collector that he or she replaces. The county collector shall forthwith be notified of the appointment. The appointment shall not relieve the former township collector or his or her sureties from any liability incurred. The person resigning shall not be reappointed to complete the collections in any township in the county.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-23

    (35 ILCS 200/19-23)
    Sec. 19-23. Township collector fees. Collectors in cities or incorporated towns, in counties of the first and second classes, shall receive such fees as may be prescribed by the common council or board of trustees of their respective cities or incorporated towns, not exceeding in any case 2% of the amount collected by them.
(Source: P.A. 89-233, eff. 1-1-96.)

35 ILCS 200/19-25

    (35 ILCS 200/19-25)
    Sec. 19-25. Extension of collection time after appointment of new collector. In case of an appointment under Section 19-20, the chairman of the county board, or the supervisor of the township, may extend the time for the collection of taxes for a period not exceeding 20 days. The county collector shall be notified of the extension, but the extension shall not affect the date on which taxes become delinquent.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-30

    (35 ILCS 200/19-30)
    Sec. 19-30. Record keeping after appointment of new collector. The appointed township collector shall keep an account of all collections made by the former collector, so far as he or she can determine. When anyone presents a receipt for taxes paid to the former collector, the appointed collector shall note in the collector's book to whom and when paid.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-35

    (35 ILCS 200/19-35)
    Sec. 19-35. County collectors. The treasurers of all counties shall be ex-officio county collectors of their counties.
(Source: P.A. 76-2516; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-40

    (35 ILCS 200/19-40)
    Sec. 19-40. County collector's bond and oath. Each county collector as soon as elected and qualified and before entering upon the duties of office as collector, in addition to the bond as treasurer, shall furnish a bond in such penalty and with such security as the county board considers sufficient. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the bond shall be in a penal sum of not less than $1,500,000. The signatures to the bond, signed by a mark, shall be witnessed, but in no other case shall witness be required. The bond shall be substantially in the following form:
    Know All Men by These Presents, that we, A. B. collector, and C. D. and E. F. securities, all of the county of .... and State of Illinois, are held and firmly bound unto the People of the State of Illinois, in the penal sum of .... dollars, for the payment of which, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, each of us, our heirs, executors and administrators, successors and assigns, firmly by these presents.
    Signed and sealed on (insert date).
    The condition of the foregoing bond is such that if the above bound A.B. performs all the duties required to be performed as collector of the taxes in the county of ...., in the State of Illinois, in the time and manner prescribed by law, and when succeeded in office, shall surrender and deliver to his or her successor in office, all books, papers and moneys appertaining to the office, except as hereinafter provided, then the foregoing bond to be void; otherwise to remain in full force.
    It is expressly understood and intended that the obligation of the above named sureties shall not extend to any loss sustained by the insolvency, failure or closing of any bank or trust company organized and operating either under the laws of the State of Illinois, or the United States wherein the collector has placed the funds in his or her custody or control, or any part thereof.
A. B. ....(SEAL)
C. D. ....(SEAL)
E. F. ....(SEAL)
    He or she shall also take and subscribe an oath, to be endorsed on the back of the bond substantially as follows:
    I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of county collector according to the best of my ability.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

35 ILCS 200/19-45

    (35 ILCS 200/19-45)
    Sec. 19-45. Approval of bond. The county collector's bond shall be approved by the county board and recorded on the board's records. The county clerk shall attach his or her certificate to the bond, under the seal of the office, showing that it has been duly approved and recorded. The bond, when approved and recorded, shall, from that time until 2 years after the expiration of the term of office of the collector for or during which the bond is furnished, be a lien against the property of the collector, situated in the county of which such collector is the collector, until he or she has complied with the conditions thereof.
    The chairman of the county board, a circuit judge residing in the county and the county clerk also may approve the bond of the county collector, and the bond, when so approved, shall be subject to the same provisions as if approved by the county board.
(Source: P.A. 87-1189; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-50

    (35 ILCS 200/19-50)
    Sec. 19-50. Filing of county collector's bond. Tax books or lists shall not be placed in the hands of the county collector until the bond has been approved and recorded as required by Section 19-45. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as relieving the securities of a collector from liabilities incurred under a bond not approved and recorded as required by Section 19-45.
(Source: P.A. 87-1189; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-55

    (35 ILCS 200/19-55)
    Sec. 19-55. Sureties on collector's bonds. No chairman of the county board, clerk of the circuit court, county clerk, sheriff, deputy sheriff or coroner shall be permitted to be a surety on the bond of a county, township or deputy collector or county treasurer.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 631; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-60

    (35 ILCS 200/19-60)
    Sec. 19-60. Bond as security for taxes collected. The bond of every county or township collector shall be held to be security for the payment by the collector to the county treasurer and the taxing districts and proper authorities, of all taxes, special assessments which are collected or received on their behalf, and of all penalties which are recovered against him.
(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

35 ILCS 200/19-65

    (35 ILCS 200/19-65)
    Sec. 19-65. Release of sureties - New bond. A surety on any bond may ask to be released from any further liability at any time after the execution of that bond, if the surety has reason to believe that the officer named in the bond will fail to comply with the conditions thereof. To be released, the surety shall file with the county clerk a notice in writing, verified under oath, setting forth the facts in the case; whereupon the clerk with whom the notice is filed, shall notify the officer to give additional security, equal to the security about to be released by the county board. The notice may be served by the clerk, or by any person appointed by the board or clerk. If the officer so notified does not appear and give additional security within 2 days after notification, the county board may remove him or her from office. The presiding officer of the county board, with the advice and consent of the county board, shall appoint some person to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal, who shall execute bond, qualify and perform the duties required.
(Source: P.A. 78-1128; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-70

    (35 ILCS 200/19-70)
    Sec. 19-70. Improper use of funds by collector. If a surety on any collector's bond is satisfied that the collector is making improper use of the funds collected by him or her, or has absconded, or is about to abscond, whereby the surety may become liable to pay any sum of money, the surety may obtain a court order against the goods and chattels of the collector just as he or she would be authorized to do if the collector was personally indebted to the surety. The money collected on that property shall be paid to the appointed county collector for distribution to those taxing districts entitled to the proceeds.
(Source: P.A. 83-346; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-75

    (35 ILCS 200/19-75)
    Sec. 19-75. Appointment of deputies; Bond. Collectors may appoint deputies by an instrument in writing, duly signed, and may also revoke any such appointment at their pleasure and may require bonds or other securities from the deputies, to secure themselves. Each deputy shall have the same authority as the collector to collect the taxes levied or assessed within the portion of the taxing district assigned to him or her. Each collector shall be responsible to the taxing districts and taxpayers for all moneys collected and for all actions by any deputy while acting as a deputy, and for any omission of duty. Any bond or security taken from a deputy by a collector, under this Section, shall be available to the collector, his or her representatives and securities, to indemnify them for any loss or damage arising from any act of the deputy.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/19-80

    (35 ILCS 200/19-80)
    Sec. 19-80. Death of county collector. Upon the death of any county collector during the time the tax books are in his or her hands, and before the time for making settlements, the county clerk shall take charge of the tax books. The clerk shall appoint one or more competent persons to examine the tax books. The appointed persons shall ascertain the amount remaining uncollected, and make out an abstract of the same, except that if there is only a small portion of the taxes collected at the time of the death of the collector, the amount actually collected shall be ascertained, and the same books used in completing the collections.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/Art. 20

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Art. 20 heading)
Article 20. Tax Collection Process

35 ILCS 200/Art. 20 Div. 1

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Art. 20 Div. 1 heading)
Division 1. Billing procedures

35 ILCS 200/20-5

    (35 ILCS 200/20-5)
    Sec. 20-5. Mailing or e-mailing tax bill to owner.
    (a) Every township collector, and every county collector in cases where there is no township collector, upon receiving the tax book or books, shall prepare tax bills showing each installment of property taxes assessed, which shall be filled out in accordance with Section 20-40. A copy of the bill shall be mailed by the collector, at least 30 days prior to the date upon which unpaid taxes become delinquent, to the owner of the property taxed or to the person in whose name the property is taxed.
    (b) The collector may send the bill via e-mail as provided in subsection (b) of Section 20-20. However, no bill shall be sent to a property owner or taxpayer via e-mail unless that owner or taxpayer shall have first made such a request to the collector in writing.
(Source: P.A. 98-628, eff. 1-1-15.)

35 ILCS 200/20-10

    (35 ILCS 200/20-10)
    Sec. 20-10. Mailing to mortgage lender. When the copy of the tax bill is mailed by the collector to the owner or person at or in care of the address of a mortgage lender, the mortgage lender, within 15 days of receiving the copy, shall furnish and mail an additional copy of the bill to each mortgagor of the property at his or her last known address as shown on the records of the mortgage lender. However, if the property referred to in the copy is situated in a county which uses the estimated or accelerated billing methods, only an additional copy of the bill for the final installment of taxes due with respect to the real property shall be furnished and mailed by the mortgage lender to the mortgagor. A copy may be used by the collector in receipting for the tax paid, and a copy or record shall be retained by the collector.
(Source: P.A. 86-957; 87-818; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-12

    (35 ILCS 200/20-12)
    Sec. 20-12. Duplicate copies of tax bills. The collector, upon approval by the county board, shall assess a fee of up to $5 for each duplicate tax bill provided to any mortgage lender as defined in Section 1-90 who is not the property owner of record. All amounts collected under this Section shall be deposited into the Tax Sale Automation Fund established in Section 21-245 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 91-551, eff. 8-14-99.)

35 ILCS 200/20-15

    (35 ILCS 200/20-15)
    Sec. 20-15. Information on bill or separate statement. There shall be printed on each bill, or on a separate slip which shall be mailed with the bill:
        (a) a statement itemizing the rate at which taxes
    
have been extended for each of the taxing districts in the county in whose district the property is located, and in those counties utilizing electronic data processing equipment the dollar amount of tax due from the person assessed allocable to each of those taxing districts, including a separate statement of the dollar amount of tax due which is allocable to a tax levied under the Illinois Local Library Act or to any other tax levied by a municipality or township for public library purposes,
        (b) a separate statement for each of the taxing
    
districts of the dollar amount of tax due which is allocable to a tax levied under the Illinois Pension Code or to any other tax levied by a municipality or township for public pension or retirement purposes,
        (b-5) a list of each tax increment financing (TIF)
    
district in which the property is located and the dollar amount of tax due that is allocable to the TIF district,
        (c) the total tax rate,
        (d) the total amount of tax due, and
        (e) the amount by which the total tax and the tax
    
allocable to each taxing district differs from the taxpayer's last prior tax bill.
    The county treasurer shall ensure that only those taxing districts in which a parcel of property is located shall be listed on the bill for that property.
    In all counties the statement shall also provide:
        (1) the property index number or other suitable
    
description,
        (2) the assessment of the property,
        (3) the statutory amount of each homestead exemption
    
applied to the property,
        (4) the assessed value of the property after
    
application of all homestead exemptions,
        (5) the equalization factors imposed by the county
    
and by the Department, and
        (6) the equalized assessment resulting from the
    
application of the equalization factors to the basic assessment.
    In all counties which do not classify property for purposes of taxation, for property on which a single family residence is situated the statement shall also include a statement to reflect the fair cash value determined for the property. In all counties which classify property for purposes of taxation in accordance with Section 4 of Article IX of the Illinois Constitution, for parcels of residential property in the lowest assessment classification the statement shall also include a statement to reflect the fair cash value determined for the property.
    In all counties, the statement must include information that certain taxpayers may be eligible for tax exemptions, abatements, and other assistance programs and that, for more information, taxpayers should consult with the office of their township or county assessor and with the Illinois Department of Revenue.
    In counties which use the estimated or accelerated billing methods, these statements shall only be provided with the final installment of taxes due. The provisions of this Section create a mandatory statutory duty. They are not merely directory or discretionary. The failure or neglect of the collector to mail the bill, or the failure of the taxpayer to receive the bill, shall not affect the validity of any tax, or the liability for the payment of any tax.
(Source: P.A. 100-621, eff. 7-20-18; 101-134, eff. 7-26-19.)

35 ILCS 200/20-20

    (35 ILCS 200/20-20)
    Sec. 20-20. Changes in address for mailing tax bill.
    (a) To insure that a person requesting a change of the address to which a property tax bill is sent has a legal interest in the property or authority to act on behalf of the owner of the property, the county collector in every county with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants or less shall establish and enforce a procedure for requiring identification or certification of the identity of taxpayers who request a change in the address to which their tax bill is mailed. No change of address shall be implemented unless the person requesting the change is the owner of the property, a trustee or a person holding the power of attorney from the owner or trustee of the property. However, if a property owner conveys a permanent change of address in writing to the United States Postal Service, then, on or after the effective date of that change of address, the county collector may mail a property tax bill to the property owner at his or her new address regardless of whether or not the owner notifies the collector of the address change.
    (b) As an alternative to mailing a copy of the bill, the collector may send the tax bill via e-mail at the request of the taxpayer, subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of Section 20-5 of this Act. If the taxpayer makes such a request, then the taxpayer shall notify the collector of any change in his or her e-mail address as soon as possible after the address is changed.
(Source: P.A. 97-1084, eff. 8-24-12; 98-628, eff. 1-1-15.)

35 ILCS 200/Art. 20 Div. 2

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Art. 20 Div. 2 heading)
Division 2. Payment and handling of funds

35 ILCS 200/20-25

    (35 ILCS 200/20-25)
    Sec. 20-25. Forms of payment.
    (a) Taxes levied by taxing districts may be satisfied by payment in legal money of the United States, cashier's check, certified check, post office money order, bank money order issued by a national or state bank that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or by a personal or corporate check drawn on such a bank, to the respective collection officers who are entitled by law to receive the tax payments or by credit card in accordance with the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act. A county collector may refuse to accept a personal or corporate check within 45 days before a tax sale or at any time if a previous payment by the same payer was returned by a bank for any reason.
    (b) Beginning on January 1, 2012, subject to compliance with all applicable purchasing requirements, a county with a population of more than 3,000,000 is required to accept payment by credit card for each installment of property taxes; provided that all service charges or fees, as determined by the county, associated with the processing or accepting of a credit card payment by the county shall be paid by the taxpayer. If a taxpayer elects to make a property tax payment by credit card and a service charge or fee is imposed, the payment of that service charge or fee shall be deemed voluntary by the taxpayer and shall not be refundable. Nothing in this subsection requires a county with a population of more than 3,000,000 to accept payment by credit card for the payment on any installment of taxes that is delinquent under Section 21-10, 21-25, or 21-30 of the Property Tax Code or for the purposes of any tax sale or scavenger sale under Division 3.5, 4, or 5 of Article 21 of the Property Tax Code. A county that accepts payment of property taxes by credit card in accordance with the terms of this subsection shall not incur liability for or associated with the collection of a property tax payment by credit card. The public hearing requirement of subsection (a) of Section 20 of the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act shall not apply to this subsection. This subsection is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.
(Source: P.A. 96-1248, eff. 7-23-10; 96-1250, eff. 7-23-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

35 ILCS 200/20-27

    (35 ILCS 200/20-27)
    Sec. 20-27. Reimbursement of tax proceeds for annexed property. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning in taxable year 2010, if property is annexed to a municipality under Section 7-1-13 of the Illinois Municipal Code at any time during the taxable year, any taxpayer who is liable for paying property taxes on the property during the taxable year may apply to the municipality for a refund of the amount of property taxes (i) paid by the taxpayer, (ii) distributed to the municipality, and (ii) attributable to the annexed property for the portion of the taxable year during which the property was not included in the municipality. The municipality shall refund those amounts to the taxpayer within 60 days after the application is received.
    A home rule unit may not regulate the collection or distribution of tax proceeds in a manner inconsistent with this Section. This subsection is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.
(Source: P.A. 96-1351, eff. 7-28-10.)

35 ILCS 200/20-30

    (35 ILCS 200/20-30)
    Sec. 20-30. Designation of depository for township collector. When requested by the township collector, the township board of trustees or, where the powers and duties of that board have been succeeded to by some other governing body, then that governing body, shall designate one or more banks or savings and loan associations in which the funds received by the township collector, by virtue of the office, may be deposited. Once a bank or savings and loan association has been designated it shall continue as a designated depository until 10 days after a new depository is designated and qualified under this Section. When a new depository is designated, the township board of trustees or other governing body shall notify the sureties of the township collector of that fact, in writing, at least 5 days before the transfer of funds. The township collector is discharged from responsibility for all funds deposited in the bank or savings and loan association while those funds are so deposited.
    No bank or savings and loan association shall receive public funds under this Section, unless it has complied with the requirements of Section 6 of the Public Funds Investment Act.
(Source: P.A. 83-541; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-35

    (35 ILCS 200/20-35)
    Sec. 20-35. Investments by county collector. The county collector shall, as provided in Section 2 of the Public Funds Investment Act, invest and reinvest the proceeds of the lesser of any taxes paid under protest or funds withheld from distribution and held in a Protest Fund, as provided in Section 23-20. The investments shall be obligations of the United States Government maturing not more than 91 days after the date of purchase, or savings accounts, including certificates of deposit, investment certificates or time deposit open accounts, in banks or savings and loan associations insured by the United States or other federal agency. Investments made in obligations of the United States Government shall be at then existing market price and in any event not to exceed par plus accrued interest. The cost price of the obligations and all savings accounts in banks or savings and loan associations shall be considered as cash in the custody of the county collector. All earnings accruing on any Protest Fund investment or bank or savings and loan association savings account in excess of those amounts paid as interest on moneys refunded to taxpayers shall be credited to and paid into the county corporate fund, except as provided in Section 23-20.
    No bank or savings and loan association shall receive public funds under this Section unless it has complied with Section 6 of the Public Funds Investment Act.
    After the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997, no additional funds shall be deposited into a Protest Fund, other than interest on investments of funds that were deposited into a Protest Fund prior to this amendatory Act of 1997.
(Source: P.A. 90-556, eff. 12-12-97.)

35 ILCS 200/20-40

    (35 ILCS 200/20-40)
    Sec. 20-40. Record of tax payments. When any person pays the taxes charged on any property, the collector shall enter the payment in his or her book, specifying by whom paid (if other than the assessee and if so requested), the amount paid, what year paid for, and the property and value thereof on which the same was paid, according to its description in the collector's books, and in case the tax was paid under protest, also that the tax was so paid. The entry and any receipt, if given, shall bear the genuine or facsimile signature or printed name of the collector or deputy receiving the payment. Evidence of payment shall consist of the taxpayer's cancelled check or money order and the receipt, where they exist, together with the entry in the collector's books. The collector or deputy shall be required to issue a receipt to a taxpayer only if (a) the taxpayer makes a payment in cash, or (b) the taxpayer requests a receipt as evidence of payment. If a taxpayer requests a receipt, the collector or deputy shall mail the receipt to the taxpayer. The collector shall enter, opposite each property, the name and post office address of the person paying the tax if that person is other than the assessee and has requested a receipt specifying by whom the tax was paid.
(Source: P.A. 82-1028; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-45

    (35 ILCS 200/20-45)
    Sec. 20-45. Receipts. On the application of any person to pay any tax or delinquent special assessment, previously filed with the county collector, upon any property, the county collector shall make out to the person a receipt in which shall be noted all taxes and assessments upon the property returned to the collector and not previously paid.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1977; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-50

    (35 ILCS 200/20-50)
    Sec. 20-50. Payment to taxing districts by township collectors; intermediate settlements.
    (a) Township collectors shall, every 30 days, when required to do so by the proper authorities of incorporated towns, cities, villages, and road and school districts for which any tax is collected, render to those authorities a statement of the amount of each kind of tax collected for the entity and the amount paid under protest. At the same time, subject to Sections 3.1-35-60 through 3.1-35-80 of the Illinois Municipal Code, the collectors shall pay over to the authorities the amount of all taxes shown to be collected, other than those paid under protest. The payments shall be made as directed in the warrant attached to the collector's books.
    (b) Township collectors shall, every 30 days, render a similar account of county taxes, to the county collector, and at the same time, the collectors shall pay over the amount collected to the county collector.
    (c) Each township collector shall make final settlement for all taxes charged in the tax books at or before the time fixed in Section 20-55. In making the settlements, the collectors shall be entitled to credit for the amount uncollected on the tax books as determined by the settlement with the county collector.
    (d) The officer to whom any moneys are paid under this Section shall deliver to the collector duplicate receipts for those payments.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

35 ILCS 200/20-55

    (35 ILCS 200/20-55)
    Sec. 20-55. Final settlements by township collectors. Township collectors shall return the tax books and make final settlement for the amount of taxes placed in their hands for collection, within 60 days after receiving the tax books, except the county collector may first notify, in writing, the several township collectors upon what day, within 20 days after the expiration of 60 days from the day the tax books are received by the township collector, that they shall appear at his or her office to make final settlement. Township collectors in townships organized under the provisions of Article 15 of the Township Code shall make a partial settlement with the county collector of all taxes collected at the expiration of 60 days from the day the tax books are received by the township collectors, but shall retain the tax books until on or before the first day of September at which time they shall make final settlement for the amount of taxes placed in their hands for collection together with the amount of interest and penalties which may have accrued thereon, which interest and penalties the township collector shall collect, and return the tax books to the county collector. In the 10 years following the completion of a general reassessment of property in any county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, made under an order of the Department, the return and settlement shall be made on or before the twenty-first day after the day specified by the county clerk for the delivery of the books for the collection of taxes to the collectors, but the county collector may first notify in writing the several township collectors upon what day within 20 days after the 21 day period they shall appear at his or her office to make final settlement.
(Source: P.A. 88-455; 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

35 ILCS 200/20-60

    (35 ILCS 200/20-60)
    Sec. 20-60. Statement of taxes collected by township collector. At the time of making return to the county collector, each township collector shall make out and deliver to the county collector a detailed statement, in writing, of the amount of taxes paid under protest and the amount of taxes he or she has been unable to collect on property, the same as in the tax books delivered to him or her by the county clerk, and shall show the property index number, or the number of the page of the tax book and the number of the line of the page to identify the item that appears to be delinquent. When no taxes have been paid on any one page on the collector's book, the page footings of the taxes on such page may be copied into the statement. It is not necessary to give in the statement the description of the delinquent property, nor the names of the owners. The township collector shall add up the delinquent taxes in the statement, and make a summary thereof, setting forth the aggregate amount of tax and the total delinquent, in the same manner as in his or her warrant, and shall make oath that the statement is true and correct. At the time of making the final settlement the township collectors shall pay over to the county collector all taxes paid to them under protest.
(Source: P.A. 83-121; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-65

    (35 ILCS 200/20-65)
    Sec. 20-65. Affidavit of collections. Each township collector, at the time of returning the tax books to the county collector, shall make affidavit, to be entered upon the book and subscribed by the collector, that the taxes charged against each property remain due and unpaid at the date of making the affidavit in each case where there does not appear in the proper column the amount of taxes as having been paid to the collector, and the date of payment and the name of any person as having paid the same; which affidavit shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated.
(Source: P.A. 83-121; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-70

    (35 ILCS 200/20-70)
    Sec. 20-70. Credit for collections; township collector. Upon the filing of the tax book, the county collector shall allow the township collector credit for the amount of taxes therein stated to be unpaid, and shall credit the same to the funds for which the tax was charged. When the county collector makes settlement with the county board, those statements shall be sufficient voucher to entitle him or her to credit for the amount therein stated, less such amount, if any, that may have been collected by him or her.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-75

    (35 ILCS 200/20-75)
    Sec. 20-75. Satisfaction piece for township collector. Upon the final settlement of the amount of taxes directed to be collected by any collector, in any township, the county collector shall, if requested, give to the township collector, or any of his or her sureties, a satisfaction piece in writing. The satisfaction piece may be recorded in the recorder's office, and when so recorded shall operate as a discharge of the sureties and of the lien upon the property of the collector, except as to all suits commenced upon the bond within 3 years after the recording of the satisfaction piece.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-80

    (35 ILCS 200/20-80)
    Sec. 20-80. Failure of township collector to make final settlement. If the township collector fails to appear and make final settlement, or pay over the amount in his or her hands, when required in this Code, the county collector shall forthwith cause the bond of the collector to be put in suit, and recovery may be had thereon for the sum due, for all taxes and special assessments, plus 25% thereon as damages, with costs of suit.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/Art. 20 Div. 3

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Art. 20 Div. 3 heading)
Division 3. Procedures for county collectors

35 ILCS 200/20-85

    (35 ILCS 200/20-85)
    Sec. 20-85. Powers and duties of county collectors. County collectors shall have the same powers and may proceed in the same manner, for the collection of any tax on property, as township collectors. If in any township the office of township collector is or becomes vacant, and the vacancy is not filled on or before the first day of May next following the vacancy, the county clerk shall deliver all the collectors' books to the county collector of the county, having annexed to each book a warrant under the signature and official seal of the county clerk, commanding the county collector to collect from the persons named in the books the sum of taxes charged opposite their names, except as otherwise provided in Section 21-375. The county collector shall then collect and pay over all taxes, assessments and other charges shown in the books, and do all acts required by law as if the taxes, assessments and other charges had been duly returned delinquent by a township collector. The collectors' books so delivered to the county collector shall, for all purposes, in all subsequent proceedings, be used in the same manner and have the same force and effect as if the books were delivered to the township collectors, and returned by them, as provided by law. In the 10 years next following the completion of a general reassessment of property in any county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, made under order of the Department, if for any reason the books have not been delivered to the township collector within 5 days after the day specified by the county clerk for that delivery, the county clerk shall deliver the books to the county collector, and all provisions of this Section shall apply. When any injunction restraining the collection of taxes is dissolved after the tax books are returned to the county collector, the taxes or the portion thereof upon which the injunction has been dissolved, shall be paid to the county collector, who shall proceed as though collection of the taxes had never been enjoined.
(Source: P.A. 84-550; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-90

    (35 ILCS 200/20-90)
    Sec. 20-90. Tax proceeds of taxing districts; escrow accounts. The county collector shall deposit any amount of the tax proceeds of any taxing district, in accordance with the authorization of that district, directly into a designated escrow account established by the district to repay specific bonded, note, lease or installment contract indebtedness. The ordinance or resolution of the taxing district authorizing that disposition shall, within 10 days after adoption by the governing authority of the taxing district, be delivered to the county collector or county collectors in which the taxing district is situated.
(Source: P.A. 84-676; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-95

    (35 ILCS 200/20-95)
    Sec. 20-95. Continuation of county collector's powers after settlement. The power and duty to collect any tax due and unpaid shall continue in and devolve upon the county collector and his or her successors in office, after his or her return and final settlement, until the tax is paid. The warrant attached to the collector's book shall continue in force and confer authority upon the collector to whom the warrant was issued, and upon his or her successors in office, to collect any tax due and uncollected thereon, although the books have been returned, or the tax carried forward into any other book.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-100

    (35 ILCS 200/20-100)
    Sec. 20-100. Collection of delinquent special assessments; counties of 3,000,000 or more. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, when any special assessment made by any city, incorporated town or village, under its charter, or by any corporate authorities, commissioners or persons, pursuant to law, remains unpaid in whole or in part, return thereof shall be made to the county collector on or before the first day of August next after it became payable, in the same manner as returns are made for delinquent property tax.
    The subsequent advertisement, judgment and sale of property on account of delinquent special assessments, as provided below, shall be considered supplemental to but also a part of the sale of delinquent general taxes of the year in which the judgment and sale on account of delinquent special assessments is ordered. The penalties provided by law shall attach to both general taxes and special assessments in the same manner as if there were only one judgment and order of sale.
    In cases where application for judgment and order of sale for special assessments, special taxes, or installments thereof, and interest, may be made under Section 21-155, notwithstanding that the special assessments, special taxes, or installments, and interest, have not been returned as delinquent to the county collector on or before the first day of August in the year in which application is made, and notwithstanding that the assessments, taxes, installments and interest, were not marked on the general tax books of the county collector on or before the tenth day of March of the same year, or within 15 days after the county collector received the general tax books in that year, the advertisement, judgment and order of sale for delinquent special assessments, special taxes, or installments thereof, and interest, need not be subsequent to or regarded as supplemental to or as a part of the sale on account of delinquent general taxes of the year in which such separate advertisement, judgment and order of sale on account of delinquent special assessments, special taxes, or installments thereof, and interest, is had. However, the penalties provided by law shall attach to the special assessments, special taxes, or installments thereof, and interest, in the same manner as if there were only one judgment and order of sale. County collectors shall collect, account for, and pay over the special assessments, special taxes, or installments to the authorities or persons having authority to receive them, in the same manner as they are required to collect, account for, and pay over taxes.
    Upon return of delinquent special assessments to the county collector, he or she may transfer the amounts stated on the returns to the tax books, setting down opposite the respective properties, in proper columns, the amounts assessed against each property.
(Source: P.A. 76-2254; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-105

    (35 ILCS 200/20-105)
    Sec. 20-105. Demand for payment of special assessment when general tax is paid; counties of 3,000,000 or more. In any county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, when any special assessment is returned to the county collector on a property on which the general taxes have been paid to the township collector, or on which any special assessment which has been withdrawn at any previous sale or sales is returned to the county collector, and the general taxes on the property have been paid, the county collector shall demand payment of the special assessment, or shall mail a demand notice to the owner, if the place of residence is known. The certificate of a collector that a demand was made or notice given shall be evidence thereof.
(Source: P.A. 76-2254; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-110

    (35 ILCS 200/20-110)
    Sec. 20-110. Prior year's taxes to be added to current taxes. The amount due for general taxes on property previously forfeited to the State or otherwise remaining unpaid prior to the issuance of the collector's warrant, shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 18-250, be added to the tax of the current year; and the amount thereof shall be charged to the county collector with the amount of taxes for the current year. The amount so charged shall be placed on the tax books, and, except as otherwise provided in Section 21-375, shall be collected and paid over in like manner as other taxes. The county collector is authorized to advertise and sell the property in the manner required by this Code, as if said property had never been forfeited to the State. The county, city, village, incorporated town or school district may, by their agent attend the sale for taxes and buy the property and acquire the same rights that individuals now have under the law, and acquire, hold, sell and dispose of title thereto, the same as and in the same manner as individuals may do under the laws of this State, in case of sale for taxes. The additions and sales shall be continued from year to year until the taxes on the property are paid, by sale or otherwise.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 1, p. 1080; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-115

    (35 ILCS 200/20-115)
    Sec. 20-115. Report of taxes collected; credits. The county collector shall, on the first of every month, report to the county clerk, in writing, which may be transmitted electronically, the amount of county tax received during the preceding month. The county collector shall keep the account as collector of taxes separate from the account as county treasurer. He or she shall credit the account as collector with the amount of his or her monthly reports to the county clerk, and with the amount of bankruptcies, removals, errors, forfeitures, and other credits allowed him or her on settlement with the county board. As county treasurer, he or she shall charge himself or herself with the amount shown in his or her monthly report to the county clerk and such other amounts as may be received as county treasurer. The county board may examine the account and vouchers at any time, by committee or otherwise.
(Source: P.A. 94-412, eff. 8-2-05.)

35 ILCS 200/20-120

    (35 ILCS 200/20-120)
    Sec. 20-120. Accounts for collector and treasurer. Each county clerk and county collector shall keep, in written or electronic format, an account stating the amount of county tax to be collected, and the county tax received by him or her from sales and redemptions of forfeited property, and any other county funds that shall come into the collector's hands. All persons paying money into the county treasury, for all purposes except the county taxes, must deposit it with the treasurer. The treasurer shall give duplicate receipts to the person paying, one to be retained by the person paying and the other filed in the county treasurer's office.
(Source: P.A. 94-412, eff. 8-2-05.)

35 ILCS 200/20-125

    (35 ILCS 200/20-125)
    Sec. 20-125. Statement of taxes collected. On or before July 10, after settlement has been made with the township collectors and on or before October 10, the county collector shall make a sworn statement, showing the total amounts of each kind of tax received by him or her from township collectors, the total amount of each that he or she collected and the total amount of taxes paid under protest for which the court has not fixed the correct amount. The statement shall be filed in the office of the county clerk. However, in the 10 years following the completion of a general reassessment of property in any county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, made under an order of the Department, that statement shall be made within 30 days after the date upon which property taxes or any installment thereof become delinquent.
    The clerk shall immediately, on receipt of the statement, certify to the proper authorities, the amount for which the collector is required to settle with each of them.
    The county collector shall annually, during the month of December, submit to the Department an annual report showing the amount of taxes collected, the amount protested, and the amount of taxes delinquent.
(Source: P.A. 83-121; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-130

    (35 ILCS 200/20-130)
    Sec. 20-130. Distribution of taxes in counties of less than 3,000,000; return of erroneous distribution.
    (a) All distributions of taxes collected and interest earned thereon by a county on behalf of taxing districts must be made by the county treasurer, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, within 30 days after the due date and at 30 days intervals thereafter, unless the amount to be distributed is less than $5. The county treasurer shall distribute the taxes collected at the next 30-day interval if the taxes collected are $5 or more. If the tax collections for a taxing district are less than $5 for 3 consecutive 30-day intervals, the county treasurer shall automatically distribute the taxes collected to the unit of local government on the third 30-day interval. The county treasurer shall determine the manner in which all distributions under this Section are to be made. The manner of distribution may include, but is not limited to, check or electronic funds transfer.
    (b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, if a county makes an erroneous distribution of taxes collected and interest earned thereon, upon majority vote of the governing board of the taxing district that received the erroneous distribution, the taxing district shall return the funds to the county treasurer.
(Source: P.A. 91-378, eff. 7-30-99.)

35 ILCS 200/20-135

    (35 ILCS 200/20-135)
    Sec. 20-135. Interest on amount collected in counties of less than 3,000,000. All taxing districts have a vested interest in interest earned by the county collector on all collected but undistributed taxes due the taxing district. The county collector shall maintain an account into which all tax payments shall be deposited when they are available for investment, and from which all interest distribution shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Taxes collected in counties with a population of less than 3,000,000 shall be invested in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of the Public Funds Deposit Act. All interest earned on this account shall be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of Section 20-130 to each district which is entitled to receive the interest in the same proportionate ratio that district shared in the distribution of principal taxes to all units of local government.
    On or before January 31st of each year the county collector shall file with the Office of the County Clerk and with each taxing district which received interest during the last year, a report identifying each of the receiving taxing districts with the interest amounts paid to each for the entire preceding year.
(Source: P.A. 84-1454; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/20-140

    (35 ILCS 200/20-140)
    Sec. 20-140. Payment due date for county collector. Subject to the provisions of the Public Funds Statement Publication Act and Sections 3.1-35-60 through 3.1-35-80 of the Illinois Municipal Code, the county collector in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, shall on the first day of June and the first day of every month thereafter pay over to the other proper authorities or persons the amounts in his or her possession and payable to them as taxes and not previously paid over. In counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the county collector shall (i) pay over to the other proper authorities or persons, as provided in Section 20-130, the amounts in the collector's hands and payable to them as taxes and (ii) together with the final payment, pay over to the other proper authorities or persons the amounts in the collector's hands and payable to them as interest and not previously paid over. The county treasurer shall determine the manner in which all payments required by a county collector under this Section are to be made. The manner of payment may include, but is not limited to, check or electronic funds transfer. Taxes collected in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants and not distributed shall be invested in accordance with Section 1 of the Public Funds Deposit Act.
(Source: P.A. 91-378, eff. 7-30-99.)

35 ILCS 200/20-145

    (35 ILCS 200/20-145)
    Sec. 20-145. Penalty for failure to make a timely distribution. Any county collector who wilfully fails to pay over the amount of taxes due and payable at the time or times required by Section 20-140, shall be subject to a penalty at the rate of 0.1% per day on the amount unpaid, from the time the amount becomes due and payable until it is paid. The sureties on the official bond of the collector shall be liable for the payment of the penalty. The penalty may be recovered in a civil action against the collector and his or her sureties, in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, in any court of competent jurisdiction. The amount of the penalty, when recovered, shall be paid (i) in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, to the proper authorities for whom the tax was collected and (ii) in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, into the county treasury.
(Source: P.A. 87-1119; 88-455; incorporates 88-45; 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

35 ILCS 200/20-150

    (35 ILCS 200/20-150)
    Sec. 20-150. Payment on demand; collections on delinquent property. The county collector shall report and distribute the amount of taxes and special assessments collected on delinquent property and due to taxing districts, at least once every 10 days, when demanded by the proper authorities.
(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)