Live data — updated September 26, 2026
Sangamon County, IL Over-the-Counter Tax Liens (2026): 467 County-Held Listings
Quick answer: Illinois counties hold 467 tax-lien certificates you can buy over the counter at the statutory price, with no auction. You are buying the unpaid tax debt, not the property.
These are Sangamon 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 Sangamon County?
When a Sangamon 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 Sangamon County?
Sangamon 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 Sangamon County OTC list with valuations and hidden-lien flags to pick targets before applying.
Are Sangamon 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.