Illinois Closing Cost Calculator

How the calculator works

The Illinois real-estate transfer tax structure has up to four layers depending on property location: Illinois state stamp ($0.50 per $500), county stamp (varies), and municipal stamp (Chicago has a complex split structure; many other municipalities have their own rates). Recording fees are separate.

Cook County (Chicago). State $0.50/$500 (seller-paid). Cook County $0.25/$500 (seller-paid). Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax totals $10.50/$1,000, split by ordinance: buyer pays $3.75/$500 (city portion, Code 3-33-030), seller pays $1.50/$500 (CTA portion, Code 3-33-030).

Cook County (suburban, not Chicago). State $0.50/$500 (seller). Cook County $0.25/$500 (seller). Some suburbs add their own stamps (typically $1-$5 per $1,000); the calculator does not include municipality-specific stamps below the Chicago/Naperville level — verify with your attorney.

DuPage County (Naperville). State $0.50/$500 (seller). DuPage $0.25/$500 (seller). Naperville Real Estate Transfer Tax $1.50/$500 = $3/$1,000, buyer-paid by ordinance (Naperville Municipal Code § 3-1-8 — not split).

DuPage County (other municipalities). State $0.50/$500 (seller). DuPage $0.25/$500 (seller). Many DuPage municipalities have additional stamps; the calculator does not include those — verify with your attorney.

Lake County. State $0.50/$500 (seller). Lake County $0.25/$500 (seller). Lake County municipalities vary; the calculator gives a base estimate.

Recording fees (Estimate — actual fees may vary). Calculator uses base per-document rates: Cook County $107 (Cook County Clerk's Predictable Fee Schedule effective April 1, 2024); DuPage County $86 (base for a deed); Lake County $70 (standard document base). All three counties charge additional service fees, page fees, GIS fees, and other surcharges that bring actual closing-day recording cost higher than these base rates. Confirm current recording charges with your title company or county recorder before closing.

Attorney fee. Adam Lysinski's flat fee for residential closings is $650, applicable to most standard transactions. Unusual transactions are scoped at intake and quoted separately.

What's not in the calculator

Title insurance premium, inspection fees, survey costs, mortgage origination fees, HOA / condo association fees, prorations, and home-warranty premiums are not included. These are typically third-party costs paid to title companies, inspectors, surveyors, lenders, and associations. Title insurance is significant — typically $500-$2,500 depending on purchase price and county — and is paid by the seller for the owner's policy and the buyer for the lender's policy in most Illinois transactions.

For a comprehensive closing-cost estimate including all third-party costs, request the free Closing Costs Worksheet.