Evanston vs Oak Park
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Evanston, IL and Oak Park, IL?
Evanston and Oak Park have similar restriction levels.
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 →Oak Park, IL
Cook County
Oak Park requires short-term rental hosts to collect and remit the Village's Hotel/Motel Tax on all rentals of less than 30 days. The combined tax rate includes the Village hotel tax plus Cook County and Illinois state taxes. Hosts must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Cook County Department of Revenue in addition to obtaining a Village license.
View full Oak Park rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Evanston | Oak Park |
|---|---|---|
| City Tax Rate | ~7% of gross receipts | - |
| State Tax | Additional IL hotel tax applies | Illinois hotel operators' occupation tax |
| License Fee | ~$250/year | - |
| Remittance | Quarterly | - |
| Contact | (847) 448-8082 Finance Div | (708) 358-5460 Finance Dept. |
| Village Hotel Tax | - | Applies to stays under 30 days |
| Cook County Tax | - | Additional county hotel tax applies |
| Platform Collection | - | Airbnb may remit some taxes |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Oak Park FAQ
What taxes do Airbnb hosts pay in Oak Park IL?
Hosts must collect and remit Village of Oak Park hotel tax, Cook County hotel tax, and Illinois state hotel operators' occupation tax. Some platforms like Airbnb may collect certain taxes automatically, but hosts are ultimately responsible.
Do I need to register with the state to be an Airbnb host in Oak Park?
Yes. You must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue, obtain an Illinois Business Tax number, and file regular tax returns in addition to obtaining your Village license.
What happens if I don't pay short-term rental taxes in Oak Park?
You may face back-tax assessments, penalties up to 50% of unpaid taxes, interest charges, and Village license revocation. State and county authorities may also pursue separate enforcement.
Compare other topics
See how Evanston and Oak Park 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