Second-Installment Cook County property taxes are due Dec. 15 for nearly 1.8 million Cook County homes and other properties. That means property owners have less than a week to pay in full to avoid late-payment interest charges.

“My office’s 2024 Tax Bill Analysis showed that property taxes in the city and suburbs rose for the 31st consecutive year. And median bills for Chicago homeowners rose by 16.7%. So, I know coming up with the money to pay those bills will be challenging for many residents,” Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said. “That’s why I’m reminding everyone that the bills are due Monday, Dec. 15. If you’re late, there will be interest charges.”

There are many ways to pay. You can pay online at cookcountytreasurer.com, through the mail, at any Chase Bank branch location, or in person in the Cook County Treasurer’s Office at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 112 in downtown Chicago.

“Paying property taxes is never fun, but we’re trying to make it as convenient as possible so you can avoid interest charges by hopefully paying in full before the mid-December deadline,” Pappas said. “Property owners unable to pay their tax bills in full by Dec. 15 should look at our free online financial planning tool that helps you make smaller, more manageable payments over time.”

The Payment Plan Calculator becomes available on Dec. 16, one day after the due date at cookcountytreasurer.com. The calculator lets you:

• Set up a schedule to pay off a tax bill in smaller increments instead of all at once.
• Choose between making payments once or twice a month.
• Create a personalized plan for catching up on delinquent taxes if you owe more than $100.

You don’t have to wait to sign up. You can register now at cookcountytreasurer.com. Enter your Property Index Number (PIN) or property address, then scroll down until you see the Payment Plan Calculator next to the Pay Now button. Enter your name and email to receive a reminder when the tool goes live.

Once the Payment Plan Calculator is live on Dec. 16, follow these steps:

• Go to cookcountytreasurer.com and click on the purple box.
• Enter your 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN) or property address.
• Scroll down until you see your bills, then click the red “Payment Plan Calculator” button (visible if a bill is delinquent).
• Review the disclaimer and click “continue.”
• Choose monthly or twice-monthly payments.
• Review the recommended payment schedule generated automatically.
• Select “Summary View” to compare dates, amounts, and your remaining balance.
• Or select “Detailed View” for a full breakdown of every payment.
• Download or print your personalized schedule once you find a plan that fits your budget.
• Sign up for free email or text alerts so you never miss a payment.
• Or pay immediately by clicking “Pay Now.”

During the next 13 months before the tax sale, interest will be charged at 9% a year, or 0.75% per month.

Though state-mandated interest charges can’t be avoided, the Payment Plan Calculator is designed to help people avoid borrowing from credit card companies or having to redeem taxes after they’re sold to a tax buyer.

“Simply put, the calculator should help more Cook County residents pay off their back taxes and stay in their homes,” Pappas said.