Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Can't say for sure - usually in new construction where you buy in one tax year but the taxes are due the next year and part will be builder's share and part will be buyer's share, the builder sets up a tax escrow and puts your money and hopefully its money into it. Then when the taxes are payable the builder uses the escrow money to pay the taxes. So you will need to look at your closing package - it's possible the builder had a tax escrow and somebody forgot to pay the bill. Or somebody like the builder's lender grabbed the money if the builder went bust. But you also should have received a title insurance policy, which protects for tax issues depending on several things. It is most likely not covered. So you need to take your buyer package, including home purchase papers and your mortgage papers, to an attorney. Trust me, it is HIGHLY unlikely that your lender is responsible!!!!

Unfortunately, I agree with Stephen. If you look at the RESPA, you might be able to determine what the situation is.