Real Estate Tax Bills Coming Monday

McHenry County Treasurer Glenda Miller mailed property tax bills on Friday. Since they didn’t come Saturday, I’m guessing they will arrive in most mailboxes Monday. McHenry County Blog will present some analysis, the first portion of which compares what categories … Continue reading

How Motor Fuel Taxes Are Distributed to Local Governments

Tim Peters of the Illinois Department of Transportation writes that MFT funds are distributed to local agencies in the following breakdown: 49.10% goes to the municipalities – apportioned in proportion to population; 16.74% goes to the counties having a population … Continue reading

Critique of Allen Skillicorn’s Proposal to Allow Cities to Enter Bankruptcy

Bond analyst Steve Willson critiques State Rep. Allen Skillicorn’s legislation to allow municipalities to go through bankruptcy: With due respect to Mr. Skillicorn, this legislation will provide virtually no relief to Illinois taxpayers. The purpose of municipal bankruptcy is to … Continue reading

Which Types of Tax Districts Taking More, Which Less

Ups and downs. That describes what McHenry County taxpayers will see in this year’s real estate tax bills. As reported Saturday, county government provided significant savings by zeroing out last year’s $3 million Valley Hi Nursing Home tax levy.  (If … Continue reading

Andersson Bills Give More Power to Municipalities & Counties

A press release from State Rep. Steve Andersson: Andersson’s Municipal Legislation to Move Forward Representative Steve Andersson passed two bills in committee today. Both pieces of legislation concern municipalities and work to ensure the most efficient processes and equal practices … Continue reading

Filings for Municipal Office

Here’s my best effort to find out who filed for village and city offices in McHenry County’s thirty municipalities. Most who didn’t file last week probably waited until late Monday afternoon. Why? Best place on the ballot is first.  With … Continue reading

Most Tax Rates for McHenry County’s Upcoming Tax Bills – Up 15% in Algonquin Township Part of Lakewood

Here’s what it looks like for my Algonquin Township part of Lakewood: MCHENRY COUNTY – $1.00 per $100 of assessed valuation (up from 79 cents per $100 – this must include the 708 Board Mental Health tax) MCHENRY CO CONSV … Continue reading

Municipalities Cut Tax Take! Fire Protection Districts Cut Even More! Libraries, Sanitary Districts Flat

Real estate tax bills being sent out in McHenry County this year will total $783,689,437.41 this spring. That compares with $773,325,977.50 a year ago. That’s an increase of 1.34%, which those with good memories will recall is less than the … Continue reading

Who Should Pay for Policing in Unincorporated Areas?

I’ve long wondered why those living in municipalities are forced to subsidize the police services of those living in “the country.” DuPage County allows those living in unincorporated areas apparently pay extra for better police coverage from its Sheriff’s Department. … Continue reading

Gnashing of Municipal Teeth

When city leaders read this Tribune article saying that Pat Quinn expects them to “share the pain,” there will be gnashing of teeth. Apparently Quinn has decided to cut the $1 billion a year income tax revenue sharing by 30%. … Continue reading

Do Lawyers Have to Attend Every Municipal Board Meeting?

A front page article in last Tuesday’s Chicago Tribune Business section got me thinking. The headline was “Law clients demand more for the money” The subhead was “Recession changes perspective on existing ‘billable hour’model” Those who attend board meetings of … Continue reading