Cook County Property Records

What Is Cook County Property Records

Property records in Cook County, Illinois, are official documents related to real property, including land and buildings. These records are maintained by the county government and serve as legal documentation of property ownership and transactions. They include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property-related documents, which are essential for establishing a clear title. These records are public and accessible to anyone.

Purpose of Property Records:

Property records serve several critical functions:

• Establish legal ownership of property.
• Provide a chain of title to track ownership history.
• Record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens.
• Document property transfers.
• Assess property taxes and determine property values.
• Protect property rights and enable title insurance.
• Facilitate real estate transactions.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Ownership records include:

• Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, special warranty).
• Title documents and transfer records.
• Ownership history and chain of title.
• Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property.

Encumbrance Records:

Encumbrance records cover:

• Mortgages and deeds of trust.
• Liens, including tax, mechanic's, and judgment liens.
• Easements, restrictions, and covenants.
• Homeowner association (HOA) documents and lis pendens.

Tax and Assessment Records:

These records include:

• Property tax assessments and tax bills.
• Payment history and exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran).
• Millage rates, special assessments, and tax delinquency records.

Legal Descriptions:

Legal descriptions consist of:

• Plat maps, surveys, and subdivision plats.
• Lot and block information, metes and bounds descriptions.

Building and Permit Records:

Building and permit records include:

• Building permits and certificates of occupancy.
• Code violations, zoning information, and land use designations.

Who Maintains Property Records

County Clerk of Court / County Recorder:

The County Clerk of Court or County Recorder is responsible for:

• Recording and indexing official records such as deeds, mortgages, and liens.
• Maintaining permanent records.

[Cook County Clerk's Office]
118 North Clark Street, Room 230
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 603-5656
Cook County Clerk's Office Website

Property Appraiser:

The Property Appraiser handles:

• Property valuations and assessment records.
• Ownership information and exemption applications.

[Cook County Assessor's Office]
118 North Clark Street, Room 320
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 443-7550
Cook County Assessor's Office Website

Tax Collector:

The Tax Collector manages:

• Tax bills, payments, and delinquent tax records.
• Tax certificates and tax deeds.

[Cook County Treasurer's Office]
118 North Clark Street, Room 112
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 443-5100
Cook County Treasurer's Office Website

Building/Planning Department:

The Building/Planning Department oversees:

• Permits, inspections, and zoning records.

[Cook County Department of Building and Zoning]
69 West Washington Street, Suite 2830
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 603-0500
Cook County Building and Zoning Website

Legal Framework:

Property records in Illinois are governed by state statutes, including the Illinois Property Recording Act (§ 765 ILCS 5/). These laws ensure constitutional protections for property rights and establish state recording requirements, including notice and constructive notice principles.

Are Property Records Public Information in Cook County?

Yes, property records in Cook County are public information. They are protected by state public records law, allowing anyone to access them without special permission. This transparency is essential for the real estate marketplace.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

Public access to property records is supported by state public records law, state recording statutes, and the common law tradition of public land records. This practice has been a part of American law for centuries.

Why Property Records Are Public:

Transparency:

Public access to property records ensures transparency in property ownership, government operations, and property taxation. It also helps prevent fraud and secret transfers.

Commercial Purposes:

Property records facilitate real estate transactions, title searches, property valuation, market analysis, and the lending and mortgage industry.

Legal Protections:

These records establish the chain of title, provide constructive notice, protect against fraudulent transfers, and enable the enforcement of property rights.

Public Interest:

Property records support tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, genealogical research, and journalistic investigation.

What Property Information Is Public:

Freely Accessible:

Publicly accessible information includes:

• Property ownership (current and historical).
• Legal descriptions and property addresses.
• Sale prices, transfer amounts, and mortgage amounts.
• Liens, encumbrances, tax assessments, and payments.
• Property characteristics, deeds, recorded documents, plat maps, and surveys.

Online Availability:

Most counties provide free online access to property appraiser databases, recorded document images, tax information, and GIS mapping systems.

Privacy Considerations:

Information That May Be Protected:

Certain information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and personal financial information, is redacted from recent documents. Some personal addresses may be protected under specific circumstances, such as for law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims.

Homestead Address Confidentiality:

Certain individuals can request address protection, including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims. The process varies by state.

Exemption Applications:

Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information and are often not fully public. Contact the Property Appraiser for specific policies.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Anyone Can Access:

There are no residency, ownership, or business purpose requirements to access property records. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners, investors, genealogists, and journalists.

How Records Are Made Public:

Recording System:

Documents are recorded with the Clerk/Recorder, indexed by grantor, grantee, and property, and made available for public inspection. Copies are available for fees, and online access is common.

Property Appraiser System:

Assessment information is available online, with property characteristics databases and GIS mapping systems providing free public access. Assessments are updated annually.

Tax Collector Records:

Tax bills, payment history, and delinquency information are public and often accessible online.

Commercial Use of Property Records:

Permitted Uses:

Property records can be used for real estate marketing, property valuation services, title insurance and searches, background checks (with restrictions), direct mail marketing, investment analysis, and market research.

Data Aggregation:

Commercial companies aggregate public records, offering subscription services like CoreLogic and First American. These services are legal and compliant but may incur costs.

Important Notes:

While property records are public, personal use of information is subject to restrictions. Anti-harassment laws apply, and information cannot be used for illegal purposes. Privacy laws may limit certain uses, and fair housing laws prohibit discriminatory use.