McHenry County

Sale typeWhat you actually buy. A lien sale gives you a claim on the property and the owner keeps it for now; a deed sale transfers the property itself. A redeemable deed transfers ownership but still gives the former owner time to pay you back. See the full glossary for more terms.

lien

35 ILCS 200/21-355 (certificate amount / tax purchaser)

Interest / penaltyWhat you earn when the owner redeems. Interest is a rate paid over time; a penalty is usually a one-time percentage of the tax or redemption amount. A rate that is bid down during the auction is still interest. See the full glossary for more terms.

penalty bid, capped at 9% per penalty period

35 ILCS 200/21-215

RedemptionHow long the former owner has to repay the debt and keep the property after the sale. Your money stays tied up until this window closes, so a long period can mean a multi-year wait on a lien. See the full glossary for more terms.

2.5 years generally; 1 year for vacant/commercial/industrial or 7+ unit property

35 ILCS 200/21-350

Bid methodHow the winner is chosen: bidding the interest rate down, bidding a premium above the amount owed, a random or rotating draw, or simply buying at the minimum bid. See the full glossary for more terms.

penalty bid-down (lowest penalty percentage wins)

35 ILCS 200/21-215

Sale timingWhen sales are typically held. Many counties publish sale lists only a few weeks ahead, and some sell continuously or on their own schedule. See the full glossary for more terms.

varies by county

35 ILCS 200/21-150 (application for judgment within 90 days after second installment due date)

Auction platforms

No platform listing found yet.

Parcels in this county

No parcels listed yet.

1. 1.Watch the county collector's notice of tax sale and the judgment for sale; the collector offers the listed property for sale at the day and place stated in the notice, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or later at the collector's discretion (21-205(a))
2. 2.In a county with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, register with the county collector at least 10 business days before the first day of sale, unless the county board provides otherwise (21-220)
3. 3.Bring the deposit that must accompany the registration, set by the county collector at not more than $250 in counties with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants or $500 in all other counties (21-220)
4. 4.In a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, deposit an irrevocable and unconditional letter of credit or other unconditional bond, payable to the collector, of not less than 1.5 times the tax or special assessment due and never less than $1,000, at least 10 days before making any offer (21-220)
5. 5.Attend the sale in person; all bidders are required to personally attend the tax sale (21-205(b))
6. 6.Bid down the penalty: the property is sold to the person offering to pay the amount due for the least penalty percentage, and no bid is accepted for a penalty exceeding 9 percent (21-215(a))
7. 7.Where the county does not digitally record its sales, bid through the automated bidding system, which is programmed to accept the lowest redemption price bid by an eligible tax purchaser (21-205(b))
8. 8.In a county with 275,000 or more inhabitants, observe the county's single bidder rule and deliver the representation and warranty form in the registration package (21-205(b-5))
9. 9.Pay the amount charged on the property forthwith to the county collector, and pay general taxes not included in the advertisement within 10 days after the sale (21-240)
10. 10.Pay the county collector an automation fee of not more than $10 for each item purchased, prior to issuance of any tax certificate (21-245)

RegistrationSigning up as a bidder before the sale. Counties set the deadlines and paperwork, which may include an application, identification, and a no-delinquent-taxes statement. See the full glossary for more terms.

Required: YesUnknown

at least 10 business days prior to the first day of sale in counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, unless the county board provides otherwise (21-220)

DepositMoney you must post before or at the sale, often a flat amount or a percentage of your bid. It is usually applied to the purchase price if you win and is often non-refundable if you fail to pay. See the full glossary for more terms.

Required: YesUnknown

in counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants the deposit accompanies the registration, at least 10 business days prior to the first day of sale (21-220)

FormsPaperwork a county may collect before you can bid, such as a bidder ID card or a W-9 for tax reporting. See the full glossary for more terms.

Bidder ID card: UnknownW-9: Unknown

Representation and warranty form attesting compliance with the single bidder rule, included in each registration package in a county that has adopted a single bidder rule (21-205(b-5))

EligibilityRules about who may bid. Some counties restrict non-residents or bar anyone who owes delinquent taxes from participating. See the full glossary for more terms.

Illinois sells tax liens at the county collector's annual tax sale. The bid is the penalty percentage, awarded to the lowest bidder, so the winning purchaser pays the amount due (delinquent taxes, special assessments, interest and costs) rather than a premium; where the county uses an automated bidding system it accepts the lowest redemption price bid. In counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants registration is the default: at least 10 business days before the first day of sale, with a collector-set deposit of up to $250 (counties under 50,000 inhabitants) or $500, unless the county board provides otherwise. That deposit is applied to purchases, must be refunded to a registrant who attends but buys nothing, and is forfeited to the Tax Sale Automation Fund if the registrant does not attend. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants the statute substitutes an irrevocable letter of credit or unconditional bond (at least 1.5 times the tax due, minimum $1,000) deposited at least 10 days before any offer. All bidders must personally attend, so the sale format is in person. Counties with 275,000 or more inhabitants must adopt a single bidder rule and include a representation and warranty form in the registration package. Payment is due forthwith, plus unadvertised general taxes within 10 days, and the purchaser also pays an automation fee of up to $10 per item. The statute does not set residency, taxpayer identification, W-9 or acceptable payment instruments, so those remain unknown.