Township Assessor

“The office of the assessor is the only elected position that has statutory, pre-election requirements. In larger jurisdictions, candidates must obtain the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer designation from the Illinois Property Assessment Institute. In smaller jurisdictions, a basic course of instruction approved by the Department of Revenue is required. Incumbent elected assessors must complete continuing education requirements before they can run for re-election.”

The township assessor is more appropriately an appraiser. The assessor’s responsibilities include the appraisal of all taxable property within the township or a multi-township assessment district. The purpose of the assessment is to apportion the tax burden as created by taxing districts: schools, municipalities, park districts, counties, townships, and other jurisdictions. Assessors do not levy, collect or distribute tax revenues.