Mansion Tax (Measure ULA): Arlington Heights vs Chicago
How do mansion tax (measure ula) rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Chicago, IL?
Arlington Heights and Chicago have similar restriction levels.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Cook County imposes a real estate transfer tax of $0.25 per $500 of value (Ord. 93-O-27, Ch. 74 Art. III) on top of the Illinois state tax of $0.50 per $500 (35 ILCS 200/31). There is no Los Angeles-style high-value mansion tax countywide.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago has no mansion tax. The March 2024 Bring Chicago Home referendum, which would have raised the transfer tax tier on sales over $1 million, was rejected by voters. The flat Real Property Transfer Tax under MCC 3-33 still applies citywide.
View full Chicago rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cook rate | $0.25 per $500 | - |
| State rate | $0.50 per $500 | - |
| Authority | Ord. 93-O-27, Ch. 74 | MCC 3-33 |
| Mansion tax | None countywide | Rejected March 2024 |
| City rate | - | $3.75 per $500 buyer |
| CTA supplement | - | $1.50 per $500 seller |
| Combined city total | - | $5.25 per $500 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
Does Cook County have a mansion tax like LA?
No. Cook charges a flat $0.25 per $500 transfer tax. The 2024 Bring Chicago Home tiered-tax referendum was rejected by Chicago voters.
Who pays the Cook transfer tax?
The seller (grantor) pays the county and state portions at deed recording. Chicago's separate city tax falls on the buyer under most contracts.
Chicago FAQ
Did Chicago pass a mansion tax?
No. The March 2024 Bring Chicago Home referendum to add tiered rates on sales over $1 million was rejected. Chicago retains the flat MCC 3-33 transfer tax structure.
Who pays Chicago's transfer tax?
The buyer pays the $3.75 per $500 city portion at closing. The seller pays the $1.50 per $500 CTA supplement. Cook County and Illinois transfer taxes are paid separately.
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