No. The township assessors are independently elected public officials, although in the case of a vacancy the township supervisor and trustees can appoint or contract with a qualified person. They are elected for four-year terms. 

No. State law requires exemptions to be granted only on the primary residence.

Yes. Under the state property tax code, the assessment of farmland is based on its agricultural economic value, not its fair cash value. All 102 counties in Illinois use the same certified values provided by the Department of Revenue each year. Major factors in farmland valuation include the soil productivity, crop prices, and farm loan interest rates. 

No. The General Assembly has required that “Where married persons maintain and reside in separate residences qualifying as a homestead property, each residence shall receive 50% of the total reduction in equalized assessed valuation.” Therefore, regardless of whether you have any recorded interest in your husband’s property or whether your husband has any recorded interest in your property, this statute specifically limits the homestead exemption to $3000 for each property. 

Yes. The tax code requires taxpayers be mailed a notice any time their assessment changes. In addition, assessment changes must be published in the newspaper. In a reassessment year, all parcels receive a notice and are published in the paper even if there was no change. Taxpayers have 30 days from the date of the newspaper publication to file an appeal to the Wayne County Board of Review.

Yes. It is too late to appeal your assessment. Assessments are certified to the Department of Revenue and a final multiplier has been determined from that data. However, it is possible to correct an error such as an exemption not being applied to the bill. An incorrect judgement or opinion on the value of your property is NOT justification for a corrected bill. 

Yes. Visit our Property Tax Exemptions page for information. If you have additional questions about property tax relief contact us by calling 618-842-2582. 

No. However, if you are 65 years or older, own and occupy your home, and have a total household income as listed below, you can apply for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (SCAFHE), which freezes your assessed value.
2026: $75,000 or less per household in 2025 (includes every person living in the home.)
2027: $77,000 or less per household in 2026 (includes every person living in the home.)
2028: $79,000 or less per household in 2027 (includes every person living in the home.)