School Supt. State Rep. Roger Eddy Throws Wrench at Jack Franks’ Tax Cap Bill

No doubt which side of the taxpayer Downstate Republican State Representative Roger Eddy is on. It’s not the taxpayers’. This is the legislator who wanted to loosen the Real Estate Tax Cap in the early 2000’s in order to allow … Continue reading

McHenry County of Governments Opposes Capping Tax Cap CPI Hikes in Property Downturns

“We want more!” might be the motto of the McHenry County Council of Governments, a taxpayer-supported local meeting ground of local officials, elected and appointed. The McCOG group’s Executive Director has sent out the following email in opposition to State … Continue reading

School Boards Fight Tax Relief with Tax Dollars

Not only are townships and municipalities using taxpayer dollars to lobby against the interests of their taxpayers, so are school boards. And they are all paying for their lobbying with taxpayer-financed dues. Read what is posted on the Illinois Association … Continue reading

Illinois Municipal League Opposes Government Tax Take Freeze

Not only the Township Officials of Illinois, but the more powerful Illinois Municipal League has lined up against State Rep. Jack Franks’ bill to keep property taxes constant in years when real estate assessments are declining. Under the way that … Continue reading

Township Officials Oppose Tax Diversion, Limitation

The lobbying arm of Illinois Township Officials is urging local members to call their legislators to ask them to oppose two bills. One takes money from a state subsidy that should have been phased out decades ago. It looks like … Continue reading

Jack Franks’ Tax Limitation Bill Advances

A Jack Franks’ bill that would prevent most local governments from getting more money in year two than they did in year one if real estate assessments are declining flew out of the House Revenue Committee 6-1 Tuesday. There is … Continue reading

Tax Bills and Assessments

With State Rep. Jack Franks about to get lots of publicity about keeping real estate tax bills down, it’s worth looking at the underlying problem. This is the third or fourth article I have written on the subject.  It’s a … Continue reading

McHenry County Real Estate Tax Bills Due Tuesday

From the McHenry County government email last Friday: Tax Bill Reminder The second installment for the 2010 property taxes for McHenry County property owners is due this Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Those looking for payment options may obtain this information … Continue reading

Hospitals at Risk for Paying Property Taxes

McHenry County’s biggest employer is Centegra Health System. It operates two hospitals as not-for-profit enterprises. Yesterday, discussions were undoubtedly being held at Centegra and Mercy Health Systems (operators of the Harvard Hospital) concerning the revocation of the property tax exemption … Continue reading

Grafton Township Assessor to Speak to Senior Bingo Midday Tuesday, Public Invited

A press release from Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore: Grafton Township Assessor to Speak on Property Tax Assessments Assessor William Ottley will be making a presentation about property tax assessments on Tuesday July 26th at the Huntley American Legion, 11712 … Continue reading

Gaffney Seeks to Limit Local Government’s Taxing Authority When Assessments Decrease

Newly-appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney sends this press release: Gaffney wants tax relief for homeowners Property tax bills should reflect declining home values Wauconda, IL… In response to increasing property tax bills in the collar counties, State Representative Kent Gaffney … Continue reading

How Real Estate Tax Rates Are Set – Tax Levies, Extensions and the Tax Cap

A comment from Allen Skillicorn to my article on the Sun City overlapping tax district inequities prompted an explanation of how tax rates are set by county clerks. Here is Skillicorn’s comment: With a 1 yr average, I assume the … Continue reading

McHenry County Tax Bills Online at Treasurer’s Office

Although they are not going to be put in the mail until Friday, McHenry County Treasurer Bill LeFew’s web site has tax bills on the internet already. At least they were when I tried about an hour ago. I’m getting … Continue reading

Real Estate Tax Assessments Down Almost 10%, Don’t Expect a Lower Bill

The 2010 assessed valuation has been totaled for McHenry County and it’s down almost 10%. That’s what a comparison of raw figures from the McHenry County Supervisor of Assessments Office indicate. McHenry County real estate taxes this year will be … Continue reading

Assessment Appeal Time

Sorry for the delay in pointing out that homeowners can appeal their assessments in McHenry Township. It looks like the deadline is the day before the election. The sparsely populated Dunham Township, on the south edge of Harvard, also has … Continue reading

The Taxman Cometh

When my Crystal Lake Community High School Class of 1960 held its tenth reunion, I was on the committee. We put together a questionnaire and one question this then-late twenty-something guy came up with was “What do you want on … Continue reading