Taxes & Fees: Chicago vs Evanston
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Chicago, IL and Evanston, IL?
Chicago and Evanston have similar restriction levels.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Illinois Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax (35 ILCS 145) and Chicago's Shared Housing tax apply. Platforms collect and remit taxes; hosts remain ultimately responsible.
View full Chicago rules →Evanston, IL
Cook County
Evanston imposes a Hotel/Motel Tax on short-term rentals at a combined rate of approximately 7% of gross rental receipts, collected by the host and remitted quarterly. This is in addition to the STR license fee. Illinois also collects state hotel occupancy taxes.
View full Evanston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| State Tax | 35 ILCS 145 — IL Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax | Additional IL hotel tax applies |
| City Tax | Chicago STR/shared housing tax applies | - |
| Platform Remittance | Airbnb and others remit on host's behalf | - |
| Contact | BACP: 312-744-6249 | (847) 448-8082 Finance Div |
| City Tax Rate | - | ~7% of gross receipts |
| License Fee | - | ~$250/year |
| Remittance | - | Quarterly |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
What taxes do I owe on short-term rental income in Chicago?
Illinois Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax (35 ILCS 145) and Chicago's Shared Housing tax apply. Platforms collect and remit taxes; hosts remain ultimately responsible.
How much is the short-term rental license fee in Chicago?
State Tax: 35 ILCS 145 — IL Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax. City Tax: Chicago STR/shared housing tax applies. Platform Remittance: Airbnb and others remit on host's behalf. Contact: BACP: 312-744-6249.
Evanston FAQ
What taxes do Airbnb hosts pay in Evanston IL?
Hosts pay approximately 7% city Hotel/Motel Tax on gross rental receipts, plus Illinois state hotel occupancy tax. Some platforms remit certain taxes automatically, but hosts must verify full compliance.
How often do STR taxes need to be paid in Evanston?
The city Hotel/Motel Tax is remitted quarterly to Evanston's Finance Division. Hosts must keep rental records for at least 3 years.
What is the STR license fee in Evanston?
The annual Short-Term Rental License fee is approximately $250, separate from the Hotel/Motel Tax on rental income.
Compare other topics
See how Chicago and Evanston compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool