The immediate effect of HB4559, should it be passed, would be the adjustment of the appeal period for property assessments. By reducing the timeframe from the current requirement of 30 business days to a straightforward 30 days, taxpayers may find it easier to keep track of deadlines for appealing assessment increases. This change could lead to a greater number of filed appeals, thereby allowing for more engagement from property owners during the assessment process and possibly resulting in fairer outcomes for taxpayers.
House Bill 4559, introduced by Rep. Mark L. Walker, proposes an amendment to the Illinois Property Tax Code specifically regarding the process for notices of increased assessments. The bill stipulates that county assessors in counties with populations of 3,000,000 or more must continue to accept appeals from taxpayers for a period of not less than 30 days from the date the assessment notice is mailed or published online. This change aims to enhance taxpayer rights and ensure they have adequate time to respond to potential increases in property assessments.
While the bill seeks to empower taxpayers, it may also generate controversy among local government officials and county assessors who might see the change as additional administrative burden. There is the potential concern that a flurry of new appeals could overwhelm assessment offices, which already face challenges in managing existing caseloads. Furthermore, discussions could arise regarding the adequacy of the notice given and whether 30 days is sufficient time for taxpayers to prepare their appeals effectively.