Assessments

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Jackson County Supervisor of Assessments office is to develop a valuation system that provides fair and equitable property valuations. We strive for high levels of service in a timely manner at a responsible cost. We work to enhance taxpayers' overall understanding of the Illinois property tax system. Our guiding principles are open communication, professionalism, uniformity, and integrity.

Summary of Responsibilities

• The work of the Chief County Assessment Office is in accordance with state law, regulations from state agencies, and broad administrative policies set forth in the Illinois Property Tax Code.
• The office maintains a database of over 31,000 records of ownership, addresses, exemptions, sale prices, and other pertinent data. It maintains the county's Geographical Information System (GIS) and edits these maps with over 200 land divisions and combinations each year, retiring Parcel Identification Numbers (PINs), issuing new PINs, and ensuring they receive a corresponding tax bill.
• The Chief County Assessment Officer (CCAO) provides technical guidance to township assessors in performing their functions and coordinates assessments to insure uniformity throughout the county by use of equalization factors. Reports are prepared for the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) detailing how much value is in each property class type in each township and countywide.
• Statistical data is analyzed to determine if assessed values are in the mandated range, and equalization factors are applied if necessary to bring them into compliance so that IDOR will issue a 1 multiplier countywide.
• Jackson County is one of 35 counties in Illinois that employ a quarter-quad methodology (one-quarter of the county is reassessed each year) rather than a quadrennial (the entire county is reassessed every four years). Mass appraisal is required as it is not financially feasible or physically possible to personally view every property in the county. This office generates the required publication of assessment changes and mails the corresponding notices to taxpayers.
• All legal descriptions from deeds recorded in the County Clerk's office are read and verified before they are forwarded to the Department of Revenue and ownership change is made.
• Jackson County has 257,776 acres of farmland which require the implementation of new values each year as provided by the Department of Revenue. This includes measuring soil types, application of forestry management plans, conservation stewardship plans, vegetative filter strips, and flood debasements.
• According to Section 10-120 of the Property Tax Code, the CCAO establishes a Farmland Assessment Review Committee to present annually the farmland valuation procedure to be used for the next assessment year. This meeting is usually held in May or June of each year.
• The CCAO is the administrator of the Jackson County Subdivision Ordinance. Plats are distributed and feedback is collected from county departments and a report is made to the Real Property Committee which meets once a month.
• According to the Property Tax Code, "Each supervisor of assessments shall serve as clerk of the county board of review." In this way, background information can be provided on how assessments were arrived at. The CCAO also aids in the preparation of evidence and testimony in commercial assessment appeals.
• This office assists taxpayers and the general public with inquiries pertaining to appraisals and assessment procedures and all other aspects of county government. The staff members are experts in customer service and manage difficult and emotional customer situations. They demonstrate a high level of ethical standards and treat all people with respect.