An analysis of Cook County’s 1.8 million property tax bills for 2022 shows that school districts are chiefly responsible for hefty tax bills that are due Dec. 1, according to Treasurer Maria Pappas. The median residential tax bill in the north and northwest suburbs increased 15.7 percent, the largest percentage increase in at least 30 years, an analysis of tax bills found. These higher tax bills are the result of increased levies ­­— the amount of money sought by taxing districts — and a shift of the tax burden onto homeowners from businesses as a result of reassessments in the northern suburbs. Treasurer’s Office researchers Hal Dardick and Todd Lighty led the analysis. Pappas hired the former Chicago Tribune investigative journalists to head up her office’s think tank. Key findings of the analysis show:  

• The amount of taxes billed to property owners countywide rose more than $909 million from $16.7 billion to $17.6 billion, a 5.4% increase over 2021. Homeowners are shouldering $599.1 million, or two-thirds of the increase, while commercial properties are picking up one-third and owe an additional $314.4 million. 

• In newly reassessed north and northwest suburbs, taxes rose $331 million — with a $387 million, or 12.9%, increase on residences and a $56 million, or 2.7%, decrease on commercial properties. 

Second Installment 2022 tax bills are set to be mailed Nov. 1 and are due Dec. 1. Property owners who don’t wait to wait for their bills to arrive in the mail can pay their taxes online now at cookcountytreasurer.com. Partial payments are accepted. For additional information about the analysis, visit cookcountytreasurer.com