A significant computer system upgrade in Cook County has stalled, leading to a delay in processing more than $84 million in property tax refunds for over 37,000 homeowners. The technological issue has created a widespread financial backlog, affecting individual residents, local government agencies, and the county's tax billing cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Over $84 million in property tax refunds are currently on hold in Cook County.
- More than 37,000 homeowners are waiting for their payments due to the delay.
- The primary cause is a stalled computer system upgrade managed by a private contractor, Tyler Technologies.
- The issue has also delayed millions in payments to 2,200 local taxing bodies and the issuance of second-installment tax bills.
Widespread Refund Delays Across Cook County
Thousands of Cook County residents are waiting for property tax refunds that have been held up for months. According to the Cook County Treasurer's office, the total amount delayed is now more than $84 million. This affects a large group of over 37,000 property owners who are owed money from overpayments or successful assessment appeals.
The core of the problem is a complex and delayed upgrade to the county's main computer system. This system is essential for processing all property tax-related transactions, including issuing refunds and sending out tax bills. Without a fully functional system, the county cannot execute these payments.
Understanding the Tax Refund Process
Property tax refunds in Cook County can be issued for several reasons, including successful appeals that lower a property's assessed value or corrections of factual errors, such as incorrect square footage. Once an error is confirmed, a "Certificate of Error" is issued, which authorizes the refund. However, the current system failure prevents the final step: issuing the payment.
A Homeowner's Protracted Battle for a Refund
For some residents, the current computer issue is just the latest hurdle in a much longer fight. South Barrington homeowner Sherry Schnell has been trying to get a refund of more than $9,000 for years. Her case began long before the system upgrade when she discovered a significant error in her property's assessment.
Schnell noticed that homes similar to hers, and even some larger properties, had lower county assessments. An investigation revealed the Cook County Assessor's office had inaccurately recorded her home as being nearly 300 square feet larger than it actually was, leading to inflated tax bills over several years.
Over $9,000: The amount Sherry Schnell is owed due to a square-footage error on her property assessment that took years to correct.
After a lengthy process involving the Barrington Township Assessor's office, she finally received signed Certificates of Error, the official documents needed to process her refund. However, her victory was short-lived as she is now caught in the county-wide payment freeze.
"The problem is they're not paying out any money yet," Schnell said. "I feel that we are owed. It is only fair. We paid it when we shouldn't have been paying it... Maybe they hope we are going to give up, but I am not going to give up because what's fair is fair."
Navigating Bureaucracy and Inter-Agency Processes
Schnell's case highlights the complicated interactions between different county offices. The correction of her assessment required cooperation between the Cook County Assessor's Office and the Cook County Board of Review. According to officials, the process for approving a Certificate of Error can be slow as it requires verification and signatures from multiple departments.
George Cardenas, Commissioner of the First District for the Cook County Board of Review, stated that his office helped expedite the signing of Schnell's certificates after media inquiries were made. "We pushed it along. Then, those certificates of error were processed and signed," Cardenas said, acknowledging that external accountability can help move things forward.
The Assessor's Office described the procedure as inherently complex. Angelina Romero, Chief Communications Officer for the office, explained that another field inspection of Schnell's home was required as part of their due diligence.
"We sincerely empathize with the homeowner. We understand her frustration," Romero stated. "It's not this person, that person or office, it's the function of the process... They have to be approved by both offices. So, we need each other, right, to push these through and to process them."
The Technology Contractor and System Upgrade
The firm responsible for the computer system upgrade is Tyler Technologies. Public records show Cook County has paid the company nearly $29 million over a 10-year period for its services. The ongoing delays have put the company's performance under scrutiny.
Adding to the concerns, it was reported that Tyler Technologies' business license in Illinois was revoked in April for failing to file an annual report. The license has since been reinstated. The company attributed the lapse to an "administrative processing error."
In a statement, Tyler Technologies said, "Our teams continue to work diligently with the county on all aspects of the software transition and implementation." Despite these assurances, county officials have not provided a firm timeline for when the system will be fully operational and when refunds will be processed.
Broader Economic Consequences for the County
The impact of the stalled computer system extends far beyond individual homeowners. The delay is also holding back millions of dollars in property tax revenue that should be distributed to approximately 2,200 local taxing agencies. These agencies include school districts, park districts, libraries, and municipalities that depend on this revenue to fund essential public services.
Furthermore, the system issues have prevented the county from issuing its second-installment property tax bills, which were supposed to be sent out months ago. Officials have indicated the bills could potentially be issued in November or December, but there is currently no guaranteed date. This delay creates uncertainty for both taxpayers planning their budgets and the agencies that rely on a predictable flow of revenue.
For now, tens of thousands of taxpayers like Sherry Schnell are left waiting, holding official documents that confirm they are owed money but with no clear indication of when they will receive it.
