How Property Tax Works
Jackson County, Illinois operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, municipal services, fire protection, and county operations. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these local government entities and special districts throughout the county. The Illinois Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) governs how tax levies can increase annually, providing some protection against dramatic tax increases.
Property tax rates in Jackson County vary significantly by location within the county due to overlapping special taxing districts including school districts, municipalities, townships, fire protection districts, and other local entities. For the 2025 tax year, Jackson County is experiencing changes due to a legal settlement affecting property tax recapture, and a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 0.9800 has been set. Property owners should note that their specific tax rate depends on which combination of taxing districts serve their property location.
The county follows Illinois' standard assessment and payment schedule, with property taxes typically due in two installments on June 1 and September 1. Due to significantly higher 2024 tax bills (some up to 50% higher), the county has provided an additional 60-day grace period for payments without penalties to help property owners adjust to the increased assessments.