Schaumburg Township Assessor John Lawson announced today that the Cook County Board of Review will accept appeals from Jan. 24 to Feb. 22. Appeals may be done at the Schaumburg Township assessor's office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online at www.cookcountyboardofreview.com. Assessor Lawson encourages all taxpayers to appeal if they think their property assessment is too high.

If your appeal is successful, it will reduce your property assessment, and may lower your total property tax bill (total tax bill consists of many taxing bodies and the state equalizer). This reduction will take effect on the second installment of your 2011 tax bill payable in the fall of 2012.

Taxpayers in Schaumburg Township can learn more about appealing their property tax assessments at a seminar hosted by Schaumburg Township Assessor John Lawson along with Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak, and Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider.

The hour-long session includes a presentation by Commissioner Patlak that explains how property taxes are calculated, and the appeal procedure of the Board of Review. The event will end with a question and answer session followed by an opportunity for taxpayers to work with analysts from Commissioner Patlak's office to address their concerns, and to receive assistance filing an appeal. Taxpayers are asked to bring a copy of their most recent tax bill.

The seminar will be held on Monday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Schaumburg High School, 1100 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194.

"I have worked hard to represent property owners within Schaumburg Township, and will continue to fight for fair and accurate assessments within Cook County," said Assessor Lawson. He encourages any residential property owner in Schaumburg Township to appeal.

Questions can be directed to Schaumburg Township Assessor John Lawson's office at 847-884-0030. For an informational video, visit www.schaumburgtownship.org/assessors_office.html.