Nov 18, 2024
Robin McElroy, a Morgan Park resident, has cherished her Chicago home since purchasing it in 2012. But now, she’s facing panic and frustration over a mix-up involving unpaid property taxes.
Despite proof of consistent payments since 2012, McElory recently received a letter from the Cook County Circuit Court stating her home was sold for delinquent taxes, and she may owe three years of back rent to the buyer.
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According to McElroy, she's never been late on her taxes. She even showed CBS News Chicago reporters proof of her tax payments.
It’s been a long-standing issue for McElroy — one she thought she had cleared up in 2019. Yet, the recent court notice has resurrected the ordeal, leaving her scrambling to reclaim her home.
How could a home that wasn't delinquent be sold for taxes?
In Cook County, which includes Chicago and its suburbs, property taxes are due twice a year. Taxes not paid by the first due date in March are considered "delinquent," and interest begins to accrue. If the second installment is due in mid-summer and remains unpaid, the property can be sold at an annual tax sale. However, homeowners typically receive a warning via certified mail, and paying the taxes in full before the sale prevents the property from being sold.
McElroy's case is different — she was never late on her taxes. In 2019, a letter from the Treasurer's Office explained that her property identification number (PIN) — a unique 14-digit code used for tax purposes — had been swapped with McElroy's next-door neighbor’s PIN on the assessor’s website. As a result, McElroy’s tax payments were misapplied to the wrong property.
The 2019 letter confirmed McElroy had paid her taxes correctly and stated there were "no grounds to proceed with a sale." Reassured, McElroy thought the issue was resolved. "They actually told me, 'Don't worry about it,'" she told reporters.
CBS News Chicago uncovered that while the 2019 letter flagged the PIN swap and recommended an internal correction, that correction was never made, ultimately leading to her home being sold at a tax auction.
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The Assessor's Office promises resolution
The Assessor's Office has since corrected the PIN error and confirmed McElroy’s taxes are paid. However, McElroy had to hire a lawyer to fight for her home. A spokesperson told CBS News Chicago the office is working with its legal team to resolve the matter
For McElroy, the ordeal isn’t over until she sees it in writing. "You guys can point fingers all day long. I don't care," she told reporters. "I want what's rightfully owned to me.”
Her experience highlights an important lesson: Homeowners should keep detailed records of tax payments and correspondence and follow up on unresolved issues, even if reassured. Errors like these can lead to severe consequences, including late fees, interest and even the loss of a home.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
