Many homeowners are opening their property tax bills with one question: Why did my taxes go up?

The answer is in the bill itself.

Second Installment 2025 property tax bills are available online at cookcountytreasurer.com and were mailed on September 1. Every bill includes a section called "Where Your Money Goes," which shows exactly how your tax dollars are divided among the local governments that receive them. It also compares your current tax bill with last year's, making it easy to see how much your taxes changed.

If you want even more information, visit cookcountytreasurer.com. Click on the purple search box and enter your Property Index Number (PIN) or address, then select "Where Your Money Goes" from the menu on the left. You'll find a detailed breakdown of every taxing district that receives your property tax dollars, along with links to many of those agencies' websites.

I created this tool because taxpayers deserve transparency. When taxes increase, you should know which taxing bodies approved higher levies and how those decisions affect your bill.

School districts, municipalities, park districts, libraries and other local governments hold public meetings where budgets and tax levies are discussed. As a taxpayer, you have the opportunity to attend, ask questions and make your voice heard. In many cases, you also elect the officials who make these spending decisions.

The more informed taxpayers are, the more accountable government becomes.

Second Installment 2025 property taxes are due October 1, 2026. My office offers several convenient ways to pay. You can pay online at cookcountytreasurer.com at no cost by using your bank account. You can also pay by mail using the return envelope included with your bill, in person at the Cook County Treasurer's Office at 118 N. Clark St., Room 112, at any Chase Bank branch, or at more than 100 other participating community banks. Credit card payments are accepted, although the card processor charges a 2.1% convenience fee.

No one enjoys paying property taxes. But understanding where your money goes can help explain why your bill has changed and why officials responsible for those changes must remain accountable to the property owners they serve.