In counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the board of review, on request of a taxpayer complainant, shall consolidate 2 or more complaints into one hearing, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16-55 relating to the consideration of complaints by townships or taxing districts. When it is impractical to do so because the assessment books necessary to determine all complaints at one time are not available, those complaints for which the necessary books are available shall be consolidated.
35 ILCS 200/16-45