SB1335eng 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1335 Engrossed LRB097 09800 HLH 49947 b

AN ACT concerning revenue.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Property Tax Code is amended by adding Section 16-181 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/16-181 new)

Sec. 16-181. Stipulation to revised assessment. The board of review whose decision is being appealed may, at its discretion, enter into discussions with a taxpayer aimed at achieving a stipulated revised assessment upon the property, either prior to or after receipt of the taxpayer's petition from the Property Tax Appeal Board. If such discussions commence prior to the board of review's receipt of the taxpayer's petition from the Property Tax Appeal Board, the taxpayer shall provide the board of review with such evidence of the taxpayer's timely filing of its appeal before the Property Tax Appeal Board as the board of review may request, including but not limited to a copy of the taxpayer's petition as filed with the Property Tax Appeal Board. If, after discussions have been entered into, the taxpayer and the board of review propose to stipulate to a revised assessment of the property, and if the original complaint requested a reduction in assessed value of more than $100,000, then the board of review shall first serve a copy of the proposed stipulation or assessment agreement on all taxing districts as shown on the last available property tax bill, along with a copy of the taxpayer's petition as provided to the board of review and all other evidence used to reach the settlement. The taxing districts so served shall have a period of 45 days after the postmark date of the notice from the board of review to file a written objection to the proposal with the board of review. Failure of a taxing district to object to the proposed assessment within the 45-day objection period shall be considered acceptance of the proposed assessment. Upon the later of (i) the expiration of the 45-day objection period or (ii) written resolution of any timely filed written objection received from a taxing district, the board of review shall provide the proposed stipulation or assessment agreement to the Property Tax Appeal Board along with a certificate of service affirming that all taxing districts have been notified of the proposed stipulation or assessment agreement, and that no timely written objections to the stipulation or assessment agreement have been received or that any such objections have been fully resolved. The certificate of service shall be signed by a member of the board of review or the clerk of the board of review. Within 120 days after the Property Tax Appeal Board's receipt of the stipulation or assessment agreement and certificate of service, the Property Tax Appeal Board shall issue a decision in accordance with the stipulation or assessment agreement, unless it finds that the Property Tax Appeal Board lacks jurisdiction over the appeal or that the stipulation or assessment agreement is against the manifest weight of the evidence.

If the board of review provides notice to the affected taxing districts of the proposed stipulation or assessment agreement, and a taxing district (i) does not respond to the notice, (ii) accepts the proposed assessment, or (iii) reaches a written resolution with the board of review and the taxpayer, then the board of review is not required to otherwise send notice as required by Section 16-180 of the Property Tax Code to that taxing district, and that taxing district is precluded from intervening or otherwise participating in the appeal pending before the Property Tax Appeal Board challenging the assessment. If a taxing district files a written objection to the proposal to the board of review which is not followed by a written resolution, then the appeal shall proceed as provided by law, the board of review must notify that taxing district as required by Section 16-180, and any proposed stipulation or assessment agreement shall not be considered or introduced as evidence in any proceeding before the Property Tax Appeal Board.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.