Annual Tax Sale & Scavenger Sale

Cook County Tax Auction Guide 2026

Illinois — Updated for current auction season

Cook County holds both annual tax sales and biennial scavenger sales. The scavenger sale offers properties with 2+ years of delinquency at deeply discounted prices — sometimes as low as $250. This guide covers both sale types, the penalty bid system (up to 18% per 6-month period), the 2.5-year redemption period, and the tax deed petition process for Cook County.

What's Inside

  • Upcoming auction dates and registration deadlines
  • Step-by-step bidding procedures for your county
  • Local legal requirements and deposit amounts
  • Redemption period rules and timeline
  • Path to clear title after purchase
  • Key contacts and official resources
$14.00 one-time purchase
Instant PDF Delivery
📅 2026 auction season is underway
Get Guide — $14.00
🔒 Secure checkout via Stripe
📄 Cook County-specific — not generic
🎯 Dates, rules, contacts & step-by-step process
Updated for 2026 auction season
📖 Free Preview — See What's Inside 9 chapters • Instant PDF delivery
Table of Contents
  1. What Are Tax Deed Sales?
  2. Cook County Market Overview
  3. Key Dates & Registration
  4. How to Research Properties Before Bidding
  5. The Bidding Process: How It Works
  6. After the Auction: What Happens Next
  7. Redemption Period & Right of Redemption
  8. Clearing Title After Purchase
  9. Key Contacts & Official Resources
Chapter 1 — Introduction
Cook County holds both annual tax sales and biennial scavenger sales. The scavenger sale offers properties with 2+ years of delinquency at deeply discounted prices — sometimes as low as $250. This guide covers both sale types, the penalty bid system (up to 18% per 6-month period), the 2.5-year redemption period, and the tax deed petition process for Cook County.
🔒 The rest is unlocked when you purchase
Get the full Cook County guide — all 9 chapters, auction dates, step-by-step process & county contacts.
Get Full Guide — $14.00 →

Related Guides

Other counties investors are buying guides for.

Browse All Guides