Kankakee County, Illinois – Officials are urging residents whose properties were damaged in the March 10 storm to contact local assessors as the county begins reviewing properties for potential tax assessment relief.
According to the Kankakee County Supervisor of Assessments Office, property tax bills due in June and September 2026 will not reflect storm-related damage because they are based on finalized 2025 assessed values. Instead, any potential reductions tied to storm impacts would be considered in assessments for the 2026 tax year, which are currently underway.
Residents whose homes were damaged or left uninhabitable are encouraged to reach out to their Township Assessor or the county office to request a property review. Officials said this step is critical to ensure any eligible reductions are properly applied.
The county also highlighted the Natural Disaster Homestead Exemption, which may be available to qualifying homeowners under Illinois law. The exemption applies only after a damaged residential structure has been rebuilt and must meet several requirements, including rebuilding within two years and maintaining a size similar to the original structure.
Homeowners must apply for the exemption in the first taxable year after rebuilding and reapply annually to maintain eligibility.
County officials noted that most valuation work is handled at the township level, but residents can contact the Supervisor of Assessments Office for assistance and referrals to the appropriate assessor.
The guidance comes as many residents continue recovering from storm damage across the region, with local officials emphasizing the importance of timely communication to ensure accurate property assessments moving forward.
