NU Property Tax exemption

Property taxes for Illinois residents have risen in recent years, but not for NU: Illinois law exempts land universities own and use for educational purposes from property taxes.

The University’s 240 acres on the Evanston lakefront, Ryan Field, Welsh-Ryan Arena and property in Streeterville are all tax exempt —to the detriment of the Evanston community. A 2017 memo suggests that if NU’s property was no longer tax-exempt, it might generate nearly $5.9 million a year in additional revenue for the city.

Kelly cited a study performed by former Evanston Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Marty Lyons using 2015 figures that calculated NU would have paid $28.8 million annually in taxes as a for-profit business – compared with the $200 million total that the city, school districts and other entities were then collecting.  

Below see the April 18, 2017 City Memo re. NU's tax exempt property value