The Illinois Department of Revenue announced on Mar. 31 that Sangamon County has been assigned a final property assessment equalization factor, or multiplier, of 1.0000 for the year 2025.
The equalization factor is used to ensure uniform property assessments across counties in Illinois, which is necessary because many local taxing districts overlap multiple counties. Without this process, taxpayers with similar properties could face significant disparities in their tax responsibilities.
According to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), “The property assessment equalization factor, often called the ‘multiplier,’ is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law.” Harris said this measure helps prevent inequities among taxpayers in overlapping districts such as school and fire protection districts.
Under state law passed in 1975, most properties are assessed at one-third of their market value. Farm homesites and dwellings follow standard procedures for assessing and equalizing values, while farmland itself is assessed differently based on its agricultural economic value and does not use the state multiplier. For Sangamon County specifically, recent sales data from 2022 through 2024 show assessments averaging about 33.35% of market value.
This year’s assigned multiplier matches last year’s figure for Sangamon County. The final number was set after a public hearing followed an initial tentative factor of 1.0700 issued earlier in January.
The IDOR determines each county’s annual multiplier by comparing actual sale prices over three years with assessed values placed by local assessors. If average assessments match one-third market value over that period, the multiplier remains at one; if higher or lower than that threshold, it adjusts accordingly above or below one.
A change in the equalization factor does not automatically alter total tax bills for residents; those amounts depend on funding requests made annually by local taxing bodies rather than directly on assessment changes alone.
The Illinois Department of Revenue works to foster an inclusive environment valuing diversity and equity for both employees and customers according to its official site. The agency focuses on fairly administering state tax laws and efficiently collecting revenues while providing accurate information according to its official website. It also serves as a state agency dedicated to promoting diversity within its operations as stated online and oversees reliable financial reporting alongside taxation duties according to its official website. The department operates within state taxation and revenue management frameworks detailed online as outlined on its website.
