JASPER COUNTY, ILLINOIS — Property owners in Jasper County won’t see any surprises in their tax assessments this year, as the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) has kept the property assessment multiplier unchanged at 1.0000 — a move that aligns local property assessments with state-level equalization standards.
This is the second consecutive year the multiplier has remained fixed, reflecting consistency in the county’s real estate assessments and stability in how property taxes are distributed across homeowners, businesses, and agricultural landowners.
What Is the Assessment Multiplier?
The equalization factor, or multiplier, is a tool used by the state to ensure that property assessments throughout Illinois reflect approximately one-third of fair market value, as mandated by law. The IDOR compares the sales prices of properties to their assessed values over a three-year period to calculate each county’s multiplier.
According to David Harris, director of the IDOR:
“The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments.”
In Jasper County, recent property sales data from 2021 to 2023 showed that assessments are holding at 33.15% of market value — just above the state’s one-third target, but well within acceptable parameters.
What This Means for Property Owners
A common misconception is that a change in the multiplier automatically results in higher or lower property tax bills. However, the multiplier does not directly increase taxes — it simply aligns assessments for fairness across counties. Actual tax bills depend on local taxing bodies’ budgets, levies, and individual property reassessments.
Since no change was made to Jasper County’s multiplier:
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Homeowners will not see new equalization-based adjustments to their property value
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Farm land remains assessed based on its agricultural economic value
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Homesites and dwellings on farms are subject to normal assessment and equalization procedures
The equalization factor was finalized following a public hearing on the tentative figure, offering transparency and community participation in the assessment process.
Aiming for Fairness in Illinois Property Taxes
With over 6,600 local taxing districts across Illinois, the multiplier system helps neutralize the discrepancies that arise from different local assessment standards. While the process is technical, its end goal is simple: a fairer tax system where every property owner pays their share — and no more.
“The goal shared by IDOR and local assessors is a tax system where fairness is not just a principle, but a measurable outcome,” the agency noted.
Do You Understand How Your Property Is Assessed?
Have questions about your local tax multiplier or how your property taxes are calculated? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
