Cook County Announces Property Tax Bills Will Be Delayed; Reopens $300 Million Bridge Loan Fund for Local Governments

Two-month delay expected on second installment bills; no-interest loans will help schools, libraries, parks, fire districts and other taxing bodies manage cash flow

CHICAGO — Cook County officials announced today that the next round of property tax bills will be delayed by approximately two months. To help local governments manage the resulting cash-flow gap, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle intends to reopen and expand the Property Tax Bridge Fund Program, making up to $300 million in no-interest loansavailable to eligible taxing districts.

The program is intended to support school districts, park districts, libraries, fire protection districts, municipalities and other local governments that are primarily reliant on property tax revenue to fund essential public services.

“This bridge fund gives schools, libraries, parks, fire districts and other local governments a short-term tool to keep serving residents while we continue the deeper work of fixing a fragmented property tax system,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

The Bridge Fund Program provides no-interest, short-term loans to eligible local taxing bodies that need assistance covering operating expenses while they wait for property tax distributions. This is the third time Cook County has offered the program in response to delays in the property tax cycle.

This year, following anticipated Cook County Board approval in July, the county intends to provide additional program guidance. In response to feedback from taxing districts and community partners, the County also plans to expand eligibility from the previous year, allowing institutions heavily reliant on property tax revenue better access to the assistance.

In addition, the County is moving to reopen the program sooner this year so taxing districts can plan ahead, evaluate their cash-flow needs and begin preparing applications before a funding gap occurs.

“We are announcing this now because local governments need time to plan,” Preckwinkle said. “The County is committed to open communication with taxing bodies, and we want eligible districts to understand their options before they consider other financing options, such as short-term borrowing.”

The final cost of the program will depend on the number of districts that apply starting July 20 and the amount they request. A clearer picture of the total cost will be available after the application window closes on August 24, 2026. Regardless of final participation levels, the County has structured the program to absorb the cost rather than shifting the burden to taxing districts.

The renewed bridge fund comes as Cook County continues the long-term modernization of its property tax system. Over the last several years, the County has transitioned away from a decades-old mainframe system, advanced tax sale reform, established the Cook County Property Tax Reform Group and worked across offices to improve coordination, transparency and reliability.

County officials said the latest delay underscores the need for more fundamental reform.

“The long-term answer is a property tax system with clearer responsibility, fewer handoffs and greater accountability,” Preckwinkle said. “The bridge fund provides immediate relief. Structural reform is how we prevent this from becoming normal.”

More information, including eligibility details and frequently asked questions, will be available at the County’s Tax Bridge Fund webpage in the coming weeks.

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About the Cook County Property Tax Bridge Fund Program

The Cook County Property Tax Bridge Fund Program provides no-interest, short-term loans to eligible taxing districts affected by delays in the property tax cycle. The program is designed to help local governments continue operating and providing essential public services while awaiting property tax distributions.

About Cook County

Cook County is the second-largest county in the United States, home to more than 5 million residents. The Cook County Board President serves as the chief executive officer of Cook County government and oversees the Offices Under the President.

Eligibility Requirements:

Local taxing district meeting all the following eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for the loan:

• 50% Reliance on Property Taxes: Only local taxing jurisdictions (LTJ) that are reliant on property taxes for 50% or more of their total Governmental revenues (excluding enterprise funds) are eligible​
• Disinvested Communities that do not meet the first criteria will be offered additional consideration. The County will approve those loans according to availability and need on a rolling basis using the County’s Equitable Allocation Model
• Suburban Cook County: Only local taxing jurisdictions wholly within Suburban Cook County are eligible for the loans​
• Paper Districts are Excluded: All local taxing jurisdictions that pass-through property tax collections to a third party for the provision of services are ineligible