McDonough County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0284, according to Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris.
The equalization factor, often called the "multiplier," is used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. State law requires property in Illinois to be assessed at one-third of its market value.
Assessments in McDonough County are at 32.41% of market value, based on sales of properties in 2023, 2024, and 2025, according to the department. Last year's equalization factor for the county was 1.0199.
The factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the sales price of properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties.
The tentative factor is subject to change if the County Board of Review takes actions that significantly affect county assessments, or if local officials or others present data showing the estimates should be adjusted. A public hearing on the tentative multiplier will be held between 20 and 30 days after the tentative factor is published in a newspaper of general circulation within the county.
A change in the equalization factor does not mean total property tax bills will increase or decrease, the department said. Tax bills are determined by local taxing bodies when they request money each year to provide services. The assessed value of an individual property determines what portion of the tax burden a specific taxpayer will assume, and that portion is not changed by the multiplier.