Reviewed and updated October 7, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every office link was opened and checked against the office's own site between September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026.
Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County, has about 2.7 million residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). The title to a parcel in Chicago is in the deed records of the County Recorder and its taxable value is set by the Supervisor of Assessments; what is built on it is a matter for the city. This guide says who keeps each record and where the page for each office is.
This guide covers deeds, assessed values, city permits and records, evictions and court cases, records requests, directory links and common questions.
Related guides: Chicago public records, Cook County public records, Chicago warrants, Chicago inmate search, Chicago criminal records, Chicago court records, Illinois arrest records and Illinois inmate search.
Deeds, Mortgages and Liens in Chicago
Deeds, mortgages, liens and easements that affect title to land in Chicago are recorded by the County Recorder, which indexes them by name and sells copies.
SearchSystems opened and checked the County Recorder's page at cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings (page title: Recordings | Cook County Clerk), which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
Assessed Values and the Tax Roll in Chicago
The Supervisor of Assessments sets the value each parcel in Chicago is taxed on and keeps the parcel maps. Illinois assesses property at a third of market value; Cook County reassesses one third of the county each year and the rest of the state runs on four-year cycles.
SearchSystems opened and checked the Supervisor of Assessments's page at cookcountyil.gov/agency/assessor (page title: Assessor), phone (312) 443-7550, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602, Monday: 8:30 am-5:00 pm, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
Permits and City Records in Chicago
Building permits, zoning and code cases are the city's own. For Chicago, SearchSystems opened and checked the city hall page at chicago.gov/city/en/general/contact.html (page title: City of Chicago | Contact Us), phone 312.744.5000, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The city clerk's page SearchSystems verified is at chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov (page title: Office of the City Clerk), phone (312) 744-6870, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
Evictions and Court Cases About Land in Chicago
Court cases about land from Chicago, evictions among them, are filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
The court records page SearchSystems verified for the county is at cookcountyil.gov/service/court-records-and-archives.
Asking a County Office for a Record
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act a county office must answer a request within 5 business days, with one 5-day extension, and it may charge copying only after the first 50 pages.
More Official Property and Land Records Pages for Cook County
The SearchSystems directory, online since 1997, lists the official pages for Cook County and Illinois. These property pages from its Cook County listing were opened again on October 1, 2026 and each one still answers:
- Cook County Treasurer's Office (cookcountytreasurer.com)
- Recording Terms and Topics (cookcountyclerkil.gov)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds in Chicago?
The County Recorder, at cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings. Deeds, mortgages and liens on land in Chicago are filed there, and the Supervisor of Assessments (cookcountyil.gov/agency/assessor) has the assessment records.
Who sets the assessed value of a property in Chicago?
The Supervisor of Assessments, whose page SearchSystems verified is at cookcountyil.gov/agency/assessor.
Where are evictions from Chicago filed?
In the Circuit Court of Cook County. The file is public unless the court seals it.
How is property assessed in Illinois?
Illinois assesses property at a third of market value; Cook County reassesses one third of the county each year and the rest of the state runs on four-year cycles.
Is this the official Chicago website?
No. SearchSystems.net is an independent public records guide, online since 1997. It links to the official city, county, court and state offices described above and does not hold records, charge for them or take requests.