Disaster Area Reassessment

How it works

Lake County’s Disaster Area Reassessment is a property-tax relief measure, not a repair grant. If the county is declared a major disaster area by the President of the United States or the Governor of Illinois, an owner of taxable property in the county that was substantially damaged by the disaster may apply for a reassessment.

During the reassessment, the property value is determined as of the date of the county’s major disaster declaration. If the disaster reduced the value below the prior assessment, the assessment is reduced to that lower value. The page also says the reduction is prorated based on when during the year the disaster occurred.

What the money covers

This program affects property taxes by reducing assessed value after disaster damage. It does not pay for repairs or rebuilding costs directly.

Amounts and matching

• No fixed dollar amount is stated.
• The relief amount depends on how much the disaster lowered the property’s value compared with the prior assessment.
• The reduction is prorated based on the timing of the disaster during the year.

How to apply

Property owners should submit applications to the Chief County Assessment Office.

For a quicker response, the county says you may email your completed application to [email protected].

The page also suggests contacting the local township assessor’s office for questions or help completing the application.

Timing and deadlines

• The page does not state a filing deadline.
• Eligibility depends on the county being declared a major disaster area and the property being substantially damaged by that disaster.

Legal reference

• 35 ILCS 200/13-5 to 13-35