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July 14, 2015

Property owners will be receiving their blue assessment notices over the next few weeks. It's important for taxpayers to read and understand this notice. This newsletter will connect you to the resources you will need to help you evaluate your property assessment. 

Assessment Notices Contain Important Information Like:

A summary of the current year’s valuation changes Property characteristics  Homestead exemptions that were received on the previous tax bill  Township Assessor contact information  Assessment publication newspaper and publication date  Assessment appeal filing deadline Tax assessment help center dates Key-code to access the Online Appeal Filing system

Evaluating Your 2015 Property Assessment Valuation

• Review all of the information on the assessment notice.
• Visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov to review assessment information including property characteristics, comparable property information, and the e-filing process. 
• Discuss any questions on your assessment value or property information with your township assessor's office.
• If an assessment appeal is in order, prepare evidence by using the Lake County Comparable Grid at assessor.lakecountyil.gov, and other materials such as appraisals, or sales documents.
• Complete an assessment appeal form (by paper, or electronically using the e-filing system) and submit with supporting evidence to the Board of Review by the prescribed deadline.
• You can attend the hearing in person, by telephone, or submit case materials and ask the Board of Review to decide the case based on the evidence provided. Often, cases can be resolved without an in-person or telephone hearing, particularly cases based upon a recent purchase of a subject property, or those based upon an appraisal provided by an Illinois licensed provider. 
  
  

Online Appeal Filing

Online Appeal Filing is a quick and convenient way for you to get your appeal information to the Board of Review Office. It eliminates the hassle of mailing paper copies or hand delivering them to the Assessor's Office in Waukegan. To access the system you must have the property key-code which can be found in the upper right hand corner of your assessment notice, or it can be obtained by calling or emailing the Chief County Assessment Office. Watch this video for step-by-step assistance for filing an online appeal.  Assessment Publications and Appeal Filing Deadlines

Resources for Individual Assistance

Tax Assessment Help Centers
Throughout the months of August and September, the Chief County Assessment Office will host a number of Tax Assessment Help Centers. The Help Centers provide one-on-one taxpayer assistance in evaluating property assessments. Help Centers on weekdays will typically be from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., and Saturday sessions will be from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. 

Help Center Dates and Locations College of Lake County Southlake Educational Center 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills August - 11, 18, 25 September - 1, 8, 15, 22 University Center of Lake County 1200 University Center Dr., Grayslake August - 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 27 September - 2, 9, 12, 16, 24

Taxpayer Advocates
Taxpayer advocates will be available at the Chief County Assessment Office, 18 N. County Street, 7th Floor, Waukegan, from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m, Monday - Friday. 

Need to Know for 2015
Don't forget to check out some of the most Frequently Asked Questions from the Lake County Board of Review.

Stay Connected

Follow the Chief County Assessment Office and Lake County, IL Government on  Facebook and Twitter! Get important updates regarding exemption information, assessment publications dates, assessment appeal final filing deadlines and so much more! Chief County Assessment Office: Facebook, Twitter Lake County IL, Government: Facebook, Twitter If you have a question that you would like answered, please email the Chief County Assessment Office at assessor@lakecountyil.gov.