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
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 loans available 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.
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
