Property Taxes and School Funding
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides a property's value?
The Cook County Assessor determines a property's fair market value and calculates its assessed value. The school district has no role in determining a property’s value.
How often are properties reassessed?
Properties in Cook County are reassessed every three years. All property in Northfield Township is assessed as follows:
- The 2022 reassessment impacted the 2023 and 2024 tax bills
- The 2025 reassessment will impact 2026 tax bills
What makes an assessed value increase?
Increases are based on factors such as housing market conditions, inflation, and improvements made to the property. A higher value generally indicates that the Cook County Assessor believes a home is worth more than it was during a previous assessment.
Does the school district determine property values?
No. The school district does not determine property values.
Does the school district set different tax rates for different homes?
No. The school district sets a single tax rate that applies uniformly to all properties within the district. However, a property owner’s total tax rate can differ from another’s if the properties are assigned to different tax codes (which reflect differences in the mix of taxing bodies). For example, a home located within Northbrook School District 27 will have a different elementary school component than a home located within Glenview School District 34, resulting in a different overall tax rate.
Why do schools receive a larger portion of property tax dollars than other taxing authorities?
Public schools rely primarily on property taxes to fund educational programs and services, unlike organizations that charge tuition or assess user fees, such as the Park District.
What are the most recent District 225 tax rates?
The rates are outlined in the table below.
| Tax Levy Rate | 2020 Actual | 2021 Actual | 2022 Actual | 2023 Actual | 2024 Estimated Levy | 2025 Estimated Levy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational | 1.7435 | 1.7859 | 1.6273 | 1.6137 | 1.6756 | 1.7307 |
| Operations and Maintenance | 0.0852 | 0.1686 | 0.1576 | 0.2207 | 0.2210 | 0.2106 |
| Transportation | 0.0255 | 0.0506 | 0.0502 | 0.0621 | 0.0691 | 0.0658 |
| Municipal Retirement | 0.0170 | 0.0304 | 0.0129 | 0.0055 | 0.0055 | 0.0026 |
| Social Security | 0.0307 | 0.0506 | 0.0315 | 0.0138 | 0.0276 | 0.0290 |
| Working Cash | 0.0043 | 0.0042 | 0.0029 | 0.0014 | 0.0014 | 0.0013 |
| Sub-Total Operating Funds | 1.9070 | 2.0910 | 1.8830 | 1.9172 | 2.0002 | 2.0401 |
| Recapture Ley | n/a | 0.0428 | 0.0312 | 0.0205 | 0.0313 | 0.0000 |
| Building Bonds* | 0.1346 | 0.1333 | 0.1133 | 0.1016 | 0.1079 | 0.1008 |
| Limited Bonds** | 0.0424 | 0.0427 | 0.0367 | 0.0359 | 0.0364 | 0.0346 |
| Sub-Total Non Capped Funds | 0.1770 | 0.2188 | 0.1812 | 0.1580 | 0.1756 | 0.1354 |
| Total Tax Rate | 2.084 | 2.310 | 2.064 | 2.076 | 2.176 | 2.175 |
What is the state equalization factor?
The Illinois Department of Revenue uses a state equalization factor to ensure properties across Illinois are assessed consistently. This results in taxes being based on about one-third (33.33%) of a home’s estimated market value.