Live data — updated July 20, 2026
Cook County, IL Over-the-Counter Tax Liens (2026): 36 County-Held Listings
Quick answer: Cook County, Illinois currently holds 36 unsold tax-lien properties that can be bought over the counter — fixed price, no auction. Updated daily from live DeedFlex data.
These are Cook County properties that went through a tax lien sale and got no bid, so the county kept them. They sell at the statutory minimum — back taxes plus costs — to the first qualified applicant, year-round, with no bidding war. The same due diligence as auction buying applies: title, condition, and surviving-lien research before you commit.
See the full Illinois OTC inventory, this county's tax-sale overview, and the live Illinois auction calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What does over-the-counter mean in Cook County?
When a Cook County property gets no bid at the tax sale, the county keeps it ("struck off") and sells it afterward at a fixed price — usually the back taxes plus costs. No auction, no bidding: the first qualified applicant gets it.
How do I buy an OTC property in Cook County?
Cook County publishes its held/available list and an application process — typically a form plus payment of the taxes and fees. DeedFlex members see the scored Cook County OTC list with valuations and hidden-lien flags to pick targets before applying.
Are Cook County OTC properties cheaper than auction?
Usually — with no competitive bidding the price stays at the statutory minimum. The tradeoff is the inventory skews toward what bidders passed on, so title and condition research matters even more.