Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax

Episode Summary:  In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, hosts Nora Devine and Sean O'Connor delve into the complications arising from the implementation of Tyler Technologies in Cook County's property tax system. Nora, a seasoned property tax attorney, explains the transition from the outdated AS-400 system to the new digital framework and the ensuing cha...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, property tax attorney Nora Devine delves into the intricacies of the Illinois Board of Review. She explains the significance of filing appeals, the evaluation process, and the outcomes property owners can expect. Gain insights into how to navigate the property tax system effectively. Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – The importa...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, property tax attorney Nora Devine sheds light on the complex world of equalization in Illinois property tax law. Equalization plays a crucial role in ensuring fair tax liabilities across different townships and taxing districts. Nora explains the significance of equalization, how it impacts property assessments, and why transparency in thi...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention*Nora Devine, a seasoned property tax attorney, delves into the crucial role of selecting the right appraiser for your property tax appeal. Nora emphasizes the significance of a credible appraiser in the adversarial process and highlights the key qualifications property owners should consider when hiring an appraiser for property tax appeal p...

Episode Summary:  In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, property tax attorney Nora Devine dives into the complexities of property tax exemptions for nonprofits in Illinois with guest Sally Wagenmaker. Sally, a partner at Wagenmaker & Oberly LLC, shares valuable insights on the nuances of qualifying for property tax exemptions for churches, schools, healthcare facilities, and charitable org...

Episode Summary: Nora Devine, a seasoned property tax attorney, sheds light on the complexities of property tax mail in Illinois. From reassessment notices to delinquency notifications, Nora breaks down the crucial information property owners should look out for and act upon promptly. Understanding the nuances of assessment notices, installment tax bills, and delinquency notices can help property...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention*Nora Devine sheds light on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in Illinois. She explains the concept of TIF districts, how they function, and the controversies surrounding their use. Nora discusses the benefits, drawbacks, and transparency requirements associated with TIF districts, providing insights into their impact on taxpayers and l...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, property tax attorney Nora Devine sheds light on the intricate process of Illinois property tax enforcement. From unpaid taxes to tax sales and redemption periods, Nora explains the enforcement process and what property owners can do before it's too late. Discover how penalties and interest rates impact property owners and the nuances of a...

Episode Summary In this episode, Attorney Nora Devine sits down with Bob Becker, a seasoned Illinois commercial appraiser, to break down the cost approach to property valuation—a key yet often misunderstood method used in property tax appeals. Bob explains how this approach differs from the sales comparison and income methods, when it’s most useful (especially for special-use properties), and the...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention,* Property Tax attorney Nora Devine and guest Patrick Hynes discuss the challenges faced by Cook County's property tax system and the need to rebuild public trust. They delve into the issues of transparency, accuracy, and accountability in property tax assessment, highlighting the disconnect between market realities and assessed values that...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host Nora Devine welcomes back John Mitchell, partner at Wilkie Farr & Gallagher and former federal prosecutor, to continue their discussion on recent prosecutions in the Illinois property tax assessment space. They review the acquittal in the Nitzega golf case, examine the charges against assesso...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host Nora Devine welcomes back attorney John Mitchell of Wilkie Farr & Gallagher to discuss recent corruption prosecutions in the Illinois property tax space. Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor who secured a high-profile acquittal for lobbyist Mike McClain, explains how federal bribery law unde...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host and property tax attorney Nora Devine is joined by John Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor and current partner at Wilkie Farr & Gallagher. Together, they examine recent federal prosecutions involving public corruption and the property tax system in Illinois. John provides insights into the...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, Nora Devine sheds light on the impact of renovations on property taxes in Illinois. Discussing how renovations can trigger reassessments and increase property values, Nora provides valuable insights for property owners considering construction projects. Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – Impact of Pulling Permits on Reassessments...

Episode Summary: In this episode, host Kevin Rosenquist and property tax attorney Nora Devine discuss the complex world of agricultural land assessments in Illinois. Nora explains how farmland and farm buildings are assessed differently from other properties, the requirements for agricultural classification, and common pitfalls property owners face when seeking preferential assessments.   Key Time...

Episode Summary: In this informative episode, property tax attorney Nora Devine discusses preferential assessments in Illinois and how they can lead to significant property tax savings. She explains various types of preferential assessments, including farmland, open space, and developer's relief, along with their qualification criteria and application processes.   Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduct...

Episode Summary: In this revealing episode, property tax attorney Nora Devine discusses the ethical challenges and reforms in Illinois' property tax system. She shares insights about historical corruption, recent improvements, and the importance of transparency in property tax assessments. The conversation covers campaign contribution limits, gift ban ordinances, and the role of federal prosecutor...

Episode Summary: In this informative episode, host Abigail Vaca and property tax attorney Nora Devine dive deep into the complex world of equalization factors in Illinois property tax. Nora explains how these factors work differently in Cook County versus other counties, their impact on property owners, and the relationship between equalization factors and school funding. The episode provides valu...

Episode Summary: In this informative episode, host Abigail Vaca and property tax attorney Nora Devine discuss vacancy relief for Illinois property owners. Nora explains what vacancy relief is, who qualifies, common pitfalls, and best practices for property owners seeking this tax break. The episode covers important insights about the application process, documentation requirements, and strategic c...

Episode Summary: In this informative episode, host Abigail Vaca and property tax attorney Nora Devine dive deep into the complex world of omitted assessments in Illinois property tax law. Nora explains how omitted assessments differ from regular property tax assessments, common scenarios leading to back taxes, and crucial legal defenses available to property owners.   Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro...

Episode Summary In this episode of Devine Intervention, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with property tax attorney Nora Devine to break down the Illinois commercial property tax appeal process. With nearly two decades of experience, Nora provides valuable insights on why commercial property owners should appeal, how to collect the right documentation, and what strategies can strengthen an appeal....

Episode Summary: In this episode of Devine Intervention, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with experienced property tax attorney Nora Devine to discuss the ins and outs of appealing property tax assessments in Illinois. They cover what business and commercial real estate owners should consider when hiring a property tax appeal attorney, red flags to watch out for, and the importance of working with...

Episode Summary In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with property tax attorney Nora Devine to break down how property tax assessments are determined. They explore the factors assessors consider, how market conditions and comparable sales impact valuations, and common mistakes in the assessment process. Nora also provides...

Episode Summary In this episode of Devine Intervention, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with Nora Devine, a seasoned Illinois property tax attorney, to discuss the biggest mistakes property owners make when appealing their property tax assessments. From failing to check property records for errors to making legally irrelevant arguments, Nora breaks down what not to do if you want to successfully a...

Episode Summary In this episode of Devine Intervention, host Kevin Rosenquist is joined by property tax attorney Nora Devine to explore how market trends affect property tax assessments in Illinois. They discuss past real estate cycles, including the 2006-2008 housing crash and the pandemic-driven market boom, and how these fluctuations influence assessments for homeowners and commercial property...