CHICAGO – November 06, 2026 -- Fewer than 10,000 Cook County properties are eligible for this year's annual tax sale, the first time that has happened since at least 1994, according to Treasurer's Office records. As of the announcement, 9,481 properties could go up for sale on Dec. 15, 2026.
City and suburbs both post some of the lowest counts ever
The list includes 5,092 PINs (Property Index Numbers) in Chicago and 4,389 in the suburbs. Treasurer Maria Pappas said both figures are among the lowest on record. Of the eligible properties, 2,737 belong to owners who owe less than $1,000 in delinquent property taxes.
Reforms and two delays gave owners more time to pay
The Treasurer's Office removed chronically delinquent properties that had been offered for sale but stayed unsold year after year. It also lobbied the Illinois General Assembly to delay the sale twice, giving owners extra time to pay. Interest was frozen during those delays so no additional costs built up.
The four-day sale covers Tax Year 2023 property taxes that were due in 2024. State law requires the sale within 13 months of the Second Installment due date. It was first scheduled for September 2025.
Pappas called the low number encouraging but said thousands of owners still risk having their delinquent taxes sold. She urged anyone with overdue taxes to check their status and pay before the sale.
Owners can check their status online in a few steps
On cookcountytreasurer.com, owners can use the purple "Your Property Tax Overview" box on the home page and search by address or PIN. An urgent warning banner appears if the property is on the sale list.
The office mailed certified letters to owners of listed properties earlier this month. It also published lists of delinquent properties in local newspapers and on its website on Nov. 4 and 5.
Five payment options avoid extra fees and interest
Owners who pay before the sale avoid fees and additional interest. Payment options:
- Online for free at cookcountytreasurer.com
- In person at any Chase Bank location in Illinois
- In person at any of more than 100 community banks where the owner has an account
- By mail
- In person at the Treasurer's Office
If an owner does not pay back taxes sold at the sale, a tax buyer could take possession of the property. That process takes about three years for residences and about one year for commercial properties.
By law, the Treasurer's Office cannot give legal advice about tax sales, and owners are strongly advised to consult an attorney.