Grafton Township Assessor Faces Taxpayers

More people showed up at a property tax meeting with Grafton Township Assessor Al Zielinski Wednesday night than attended the AFSCME union rally in the Woodstock Square.

Al Zielinski waits for Lakewood Village Trustee to finish his opening remarks.

Al Zielinski waits for Lakewood Village Trustee to finish his opening remarks.

The Lakewood Village Board indicated last month that it would invited Zielinski to a Board meeting, but, so far, that has not occurred.

This meeting was sponsored by newly-elected Lakewood Village Trustee Paul Serwatka, who is also the Grafton Township Republican Committeeman.

He provided the following press release about the meeting:

Lakewood Tax-Fighter Begins His Attack

Town Hall Meeting takes aim at “Astronomical” Property Taxes

Nearly 100 residents attended an inaugural Town Hall meeting tonight hosted by Village of Lakewood’s newest elected trustee, Paul Serwatka with guest speaker, Grafton Township Assessor, Al Zielinski.

Serwatka who dubs himself the “Lakewood Tax-Fighter” announced “This is the first in a series of meetings I have planned as we work together to create a more informed and engaged community.”

Serwatka spoke of the underlying factors that create what he called “astronomical property taxes” in McHenry County, stating that while it is true the tax assessor plays a significant role in establishing the equalized assessed values of our homes, of greater concern should be the individual taxing bodies and the levies they continue to raise.

Serwatka went on to say,

“These taxing bodies such as the school districts, park districts and municipal districts are not just some abstract, invisible entity that appears on your tax bill.

“They are all comprised of a handful of actual people, who are elected by us – and these people make decisions that affect us greatly and directly impact the amount of property taxes we pay.

“It’s time we take a look at the individuals who sit on these boards as well as their views on spending our money.”

Grafton Township Assessor Al Zielinski explains how the property tax works.

Grafton Township Assessor Al Zielinski explains how the property tax works.

Emotions grew high and a few tempers flared as assessor, Al Zielinski guided the crowd through a PowerPoint presentation which covered the broad strokes of how the equalized assessed value of a property is determined.

One resident spoke of how his property taxes increased 36% in one year.

Al Zielinski addresses the taxpayers.

Al Zielinski addresses the taxpayers.

Serwatka told the crowd early on

“I fully expect you will all leave this meeting tonight just as angry and frustrated as when you came.”

He went on to say “tonight was just the first logical starting point in the series of meetings I have planned in the upcoming weeks & months.”

“My hope is that these meetings, collectively, will create a level of awareness and understanding and help to formulate a self-evident plan of action which will not only help effect a sustainable level of property tax that we all can afford, but will also ensure a more responsible, accountable local government.”

To stay informed on issues affecting the village of Lakewood and surrounding areas, send your contact information to: Paul@LakewoodTaxFighter.com

= = = = =
Meanwhile those more interested in the Black Hawk game were in RedTail Golf Club’s bar:

Adding to the bottom line of Lakewood's village-owned golf course were those watching the Black Hawk game.

Adding to the bottom line of Lakewood’s village-owned golf course were those watching the Black Hawk game.

Others were finishing up rounds of golf:

There were three golf carts in a row.  A man and middle school son were leaving the clubhouse as I walked out.  I asked if he were from Lakewood and he told me he lived about two miles away in Crystal Lake.  "It's a good course, not a great course," he said.  He added that he liked the $10 a round price for those who start after 5 (last summer, I believe).  For that price he could bring his son.

There were three golf carts in a row. A man and middle school son were leaving the clubhouse as I walked out. I asked if he were from Lakewood and he told me he lived about two miles away in Crystal Lake. “It’s a good course, not a great course,” he said. He added that he liked the $10 a round price for those who start after 5 (last summer, I believe). For that price he could bring his son.


Comments

Grafton Township Assessor Faces Taxpayers — 7 Comments

  1. The people are so fortunate to have Paul Serwatka defending better government on behalf of the people. He continues to do such a great job!

  2. Thank you Mr. Serwatka for establishing a ‘bar’ relative to citizen involvement in the move toward ‘open and transparent’ representation by elected officials.

  3. Al, you forgot to include this part of the code you were quoting:

    (35 ILCS 200/9-160)
    Sec. 9-160.
    the assessor shall list and assess all property WHICH BECOMES TAXABLE AND WHICH IS NOT UPON THE GENERAL ASSESSMENT…

    So then I look up General Assessment and what do you think I found???…All you had to do was scroll down a little further.

    (35 ILCS 200/9-215)
    Sec. 9-215. General assessment years; counties of less than 3,000,000. Except as provided in Sections 9-220 and 9-225, in counties having the township form of government and with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the general assessment years shall be 1995 and thereafter. In counties having the commission form of government and less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the general assessment years shall be 1994 and thereafter.
    (Source: P.A. 86-1481; 87-1189; 88-455.)

    I was able to find it and I’m not even running for assessor.

    Al, I suggest you stop trying to insult our intelligence.

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