Illinois Vehicle Tax & Emissions by County (2026)
Illinois title ($165) and registration ($151) are statewide, but dealer sales-tax rates vary from ~6.6% to 10.25% by county. Cook County alone adds a local private-party vehicle tax, and emissions testing applies in the Chicago and Metro-East areas. Find your county below.
Rates verified July 2026 from the Illinois DOR. Dealer rates are ZIP-dependent — the countywide base is shown; cities can be higher.
| County | Dealer tax (base) | Private-party add-on | Emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook | 10.25% | Yes (Cook) | Yes |
| DuPage | 7% | No | Yes |
| Lake | 7% | No | Yes |
| Will | 7.25% | No | Some ZIPs |
| Kane | 7% | No | Some ZIPs |
| McHenry | 7% | No | Some ZIPs |
| Winnebago | 7.75% | No | No |
| St. Clair | 7.35% | No | Some ZIPs |
| Madison | 6.6% | No | Some ZIPs |
| Champaign | 7.5% | No | No |
| Sangamon | 7.25% | No | No |
| Peoria | 7.25% | No | No |
| McLean | 7.25% | No | No |
| Rock Island | 8.5% | No | No |
| Kendall | 7.25% | No | Some ZIPs |
Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois car tax vary by county?
For dealer purchases, yes — the combined sales tax runs from about 6.6% to over 10% depending on your county and city. For private-party sales, Illinois uses a flat statewide tax table (RUT-50), except Cook County (and the City of Chicago) add their own local vehicle tax.
What is the car tax in Cook County?
Cook County dealer purchases hit around 10.25% in Chicago. Cook is also the only county here that adds a local private-party vehicle tax ($90–$225 by vehicle age), with the City of Chicago layering on more.
Which Illinois counties require emissions testing?
The Chicago metro (Cook, DuPage, Lake fully; Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will by ZIP) and Metro-East St. Louis (Madison, St. Clair by ZIP). Downstate counties like Winnebago, Champaign, Sangamon, Peoria, and McLean require none.