Law Offices of Amari & Locallo

For property owners across Illinois, the burden of real estate taxes can be significant, often impacting budgets for both homes and businesses. Many find themselves questioning the fairness of their property assessments, but navigating the complex appeal process can be daunting without expert guidance. This is where specialized legal counsel becomes invaluable. This article introduces the Law Offices of Amari & Locallo, a highly respected firm in Chicago dedicated exclusively to real estate tax assessment reductions. For individuals and businesses in Illinois seeking to challenge their property taxes and potentially save thousands, understanding the expertise offered by a firm like Amari & Locallo is the first crucial step.

The Law Offices of Amari & Locallo have built a stellar reputation as a leading authority in real estate tax law, serving clients throughout Illinois, particularly in Cook County and the surrounding collar counties. Founded in 1987 by Leonard Amari and Joseph Locallo, Jr., the firm was established with a clear mission: to provide the highest caliber of real estate tax analysis and aggressively represent property owners in achieving fair and equitable assessments. Both founding partners brought significant experience from public service, with Leonard Amari having served as General Counsel for Cook County Assessor Thomas C. Hynes, and Joseph Locallo, Jr. as Chief of Revenue Litigation for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. This unique insider perspective has allowed the firm to develop unparalleled strategies for successful tax appeals. Their team, including highly recommended individuals like Katherine Amari O'Dell and Kevin Madson, consistently delivers results, helping clients secure significant reductions. As one satisfied customer shared, they are "very thankful for the reductions they've been able to get for me. Highly recommended." For any property owner in Illinois who believes their tax assessment is too high, Amari & Locallo offers a pathway to potential savings.

Location and Accessibility

The Law Offices of Amari & Locallo maintain a prominent presence in Chicago, ensuring convenient access for their diverse clientele across Illinois. Their main Chicago office is located at:

734 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Situated in the vibrant River North neighborhood, this location is highly accessible from various parts of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. For those utilizing public transportation, the office is within easy walking distance of several CTA 'L' train stations, including the Chicago Avenue (Brown/Purple Line) and Merchandise Mart (Brown/Purple Line) stops, as well as numerous CTA bus routes. This makes it a practical choice for clients commuting from various Illinois communities. For individuals who prefer to drive, the Wells Street address offers good access to major expressways, and while street parking in River North can be competitive, there are typically several public parking garages available in the immediate vicinity. The central location underscores the firm's commitment to serving the Illinois community efficiently. Additionally, Amari & Locallo also has an office in Bloomingdale, Illinois, extending their accessibility to clients in DuPage County and other collar counties.

Services Offered

The Law Offices of Amari & Locallo specialize exclusively in real estate tax assessment reductions, offering a focused and highly effective suite of services designed to minimize clients' property tax liabilities. Their expertise covers a broad spectrum of property types:

• Residential Property Tax Appeals: Assisting homeowners in Cook County and surrounding areas to appeal excessive assessments on their primary residences. This includes analyzing uniformity with comparable properties, reviewing fair market value based on recent sales or appraisals, and seeking temporary relief for vacancies or disasters.
• Commercial Property Tax Appeals: Providing comprehensive representation for commercial property owners to lower costly property taxes. This involves in-depth analysis of assessment methodologies and aggressive appeals to reduce tax burdens on businesses.
• Industrial Property Tax Appeals: Helping industrial property owners save thousands of dollars annually by appealing inequitable industrial property tax assessments. The firm leverages various valuation approaches to strengthen appeals.
• Multi-Family Property Tax Appeals: Protecting owners of multi-unit residential properties from inequitable assessments, aiming to achieve significant tax savings.
• Assessment Reduction Complaints: Filing and litigating complaints at the local Assessor's Offices and Boards of Review to challenge property valuations.
• Assessment Reduction Lawsuits: Pursuing legal action in the Circuit Court of Cook County when administrative appeals are insufficient or merit further litigation.
• Certificates of Error: Assisting clients in obtaining Certificates of Error to correct past assessment errors and potentially receive refunds for overpaid taxes.
• Condominium Tax Appeals: Specific expertise in handling the unique aspects of property tax appeals for condominium units.
• Real Estate Tax Exemptions: Guiding clients through the process of applying for various real estate tax exemptions available under Illinois law.
• Real Estate Tax Incentives: Advising on and assisting with applications for real estate tax incentive programs, such as the Cook County Industrial Class 6b Incentive Program, to secure long-term tax savings.

Features / Highlights

The Law Offices of Amari & Locallo stand out in the field of real estate tax law due to several distinguishing features and highlights:

• Exclusive Specialization: Since its founding in 1987, the firm has concentrated its practice exclusively on reducing real estate taxes in Illinois. This singular focus has cultivated unparalleled expertise and a deep understanding of the intricacies of Illinois property tax law and assessment practices.
• Highly Rated Attorneys: The lawyers at Amari & Locallo consistently receive high ratings from their peers. Leonard Amari and John Locallo have been recognized among the top real estate tax lawyers in Illinois by publications like Leading Lawyer magazine and the National Law Journal. John Locallo has been selected to Super Lawyers for numerous years, including 2006, 2009-2013, and 2016-2025.
• Founders' Public Service Background: Leonard Amari, former General Counsel for the Cook County Assessor, and Joseph Locallo, Jr., former Chief of Revenue Litigation for the Illinois Attorney General, bring invaluable insider knowledge of the government's approach to assessments and revenue.
• Proven Track Record: The firm boasts an "outstanding success record reducing tax assessments for a wide range of property types," having saved clients "millions of dollars in real estate taxes" through aggressive and competent representation.
• Client-Centric Approach: Testimonials highlight the firm's "Great service and easy to work with," with specific praise for attorneys like Kevin Madson who provide "exceptional service." They prioritize client satisfaction through effective communication and a streamlined appeal process.
• Proactive Assessment Monitoring: The firm maintains an assessment database that alerts them to any changes in a client's assessment by the Cook County Assessor, allowing them to proactively manage and appeal on behalf of their clients without constant client vigilance.
• Commitment to Professional Leadership: Partners like Leonard F. Amari and John G. Locallo have served as past presidents of the Illinois State Bar Association and other prestigious legal organizations, demonstrating their commitment to the broader legal community and professional excellence.

Promotions or Special Offers

For Illinois property owners considering a tax appeal, the Law Offices of Amari & Locallo offer a significant advantage: a no-obligation real estate tax consultation. This initial consultation is typically free of charge, allowing prospective clients to discuss their property tax concerns with an expert without any upfront financial commitment.

During this consultation, the firm's experienced attorneys will assess your property's current valuation, review any notices you've received, and provide an honest evaluation of the potential for a successful appeal. They will explain the process and outline the potential savings. This complimentary service is a crucial "offer" for locals, as it removes the barrier of initial legal fees and provides immediate clarity and direction for property owners who suspect their taxes are too high. It underscores the firm's confidence in their ability to deliver results and their commitment to client education and transparency.

Contact Information

For Illinois residents looking to inquire about property tax appeal services, the Law Offices of Amari & Locallo can be reached via the following contact information:

Address: 734 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Phone: (312) 255-8550

Mobile Phone: +1 312-255-8550

The availability of both a main office line and a mobile phone number suggests a commitment to accessibility and responsiveness for potential and current clients. When contacting the office, it's helpful to have your property's address and any recent assessment notices or tax bills handy, as this information will facilitate a more productive initial conversation during your no-obligation consultation. Reaching out promptly after receiving an assessment notice is often beneficial, as there are strict deadlines for filing appeals.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For property owners throughout Illinois, especially those within Cook County and its surrounding areas, the Law Offices of Amari & Locallo are exceptionally well-suited to address their real estate tax needs. Their singular focus on property tax appeals means that locals benefit from highly specialized expertise that general practice firms simply cannot match.

The firm's long-standing presence since 1987, combined with the unique public service backgrounds of its founders, provides an unmatched understanding of the local assessment and appeal processes. This "insider" knowledge is a significant advantage for Illinois clients. Furthermore, the numerous client testimonials praising their "reductions" and "exceptional service" underscore their effectiveness and commitment to client satisfaction. The firm's proactive approach to monitoring assessments and offering a no-obligation consultation demonstrates a client-centric philosophy that puts the needs of local property owners first, making the complex process of appealing property taxes as "hassle-free" as possible. For any Illinois resident seeking to ensure they are not overpaying on their property taxes, Amari & Locallo offers experienced, aggressive, and highly competent representation right in their backyard.