Important Info for Grant Township Property Owners about Your 2016 Assessments

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September 7, 2016

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Important Info for Grant Township Property Owners about Your 2016 Assessments

Property owners in Grant Township may have questions as to why their 2016 assessments increased by 7.16% compared to last year.The answer is not a simple one, and our experts in the Chief County Assessment Office (CCAO) are happy to review your individual assessment and answer your specific questions. Or, you can attend a Tax Assessment Help Center and get one-on-one assistance. 

The entire property tax process is defined in State law and it dictates that each year, the Illinois Department of Revenue (DOR) provides its analysis of the assessment level in a township using recent sales transactions. The next step in the process is for the CCAO to apply a township “equalization factor” when market sales are higher than the assessment value levels in place to bring them to a uniform level.  The equalization factor ensures the tax burden is distributed fairly from township to township by bringing assessment values in line with market values. Conversely, in general assessment years - the next one will be in 2019 - your township assessor will review individual assessment values and make adjustments. 

The “equalization factor” can result an increase to your assessment, but if does not necessarily result in an increased tax bill next year. If everyone’s assessment went up (by any percentage) and taxing bodies (schools, cities, townships or county) did raise their taxes, the equalization itself would not impact your tax bill. This is complicated because some taxing bodes overlap multiple townships, but essentially, the equalization factor ensures the tax burden is distributed fairly from township to township. 

There are opportunities to appeal your assessment if you meet certain criteria. To learn more, contact your township assessor. You can also visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov, or call the office and talk to one of our taxpayer advocates. Please note, the deadline to appeal is 30 days after the date of publication of current assessments, which is Sept. 19 for Grant Township properties. 


Lake County PASSAGE - Local Traffic Info in Your Hands!

Lake County PASSAGE puts local traffic information at your fingertips. PASSAGE is an intelligent transportation system designed to provide motorists real time traffic congestion information through the PASSAGE website, email notificationsTwitter and radio 1620 AM. The PASSAGE website is mobile-friendly, so you can get a map of current road conditions, construction and events, including crashes, stalls, debris, and other roadway incidents as well as view camera images at major intersections. Let us know what you think! Take PASSAGE Survey

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New State Law Opens Door for Government Consolidation

Governor Bruce Rauner recently signed legislation that gives Lake County (along with McHenry County) the authority to consolidate and dissolve units of local government. This legislative change helps Lake County build on its consolidation efforts to improve efficiency of government services and alleviate tax burdens on residents.

Chairman Aaron Lawlor said, “We recognize that in these tough times, the same old way of conducting our business just doesn’t cut it. That’s why we are leading efforts to save taxpayer money by sharing services, including contracting with municipalities for plan review and inspection service and providing police services at cost for some municipalities. We are also exploring the feasibility of consolidating 911 emergency dispatch centers in the region, which presents tremendous opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and provide cost savings.” 

The new law is an expansion of a 2013 law that only applied to DuPage County. This move is a step toward reducing the more than 7,000 units of government in Illinois, which is more than any state in the nation.


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Forest Preserve News

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Carp-O-Rama
Compete for prizes while helping reduce carp overpopulation in the lake at Independence Grove on Saturday, Sept. 10. This catch-and-keep fishing event will take place from 6:30 a.m. to noon at the South Bay. Learn more


farm heritage festival

Celebrate Lake County's Agricultural Roots 
Join the 24th annual Farm Heritage Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 and 25 at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Check out hundreds of antique tractors, cars and other farm machinery as we celebrate Lake County’s rural roots. Daily highlights include a tractor parade, sheep herding demonstrations, scarecrow making, wagon and barrel train rides and a petting zoo. 

Dog park and horse trail permits reduced
When purchased through Nov. 30, dog park and horse trail annual permit prices are half price. Reduced permits are valid through the end of the year. Learn more

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Election News

Be a part of history. Become an election judge
The Lake County Clerk’s Office is in need of election judges for the upcoming presidential election! Election judges ensure that the elections are fair and accurate by processing Election Day voters. Pay is based on election training, skills and assignment. Call the County Clerk’s Office at 847-377-2408 or visit their website to learn more.

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Become a couch potato voter. Vote by mail
Vote in the presidential election from the comfort of your home! Registered Illinois voters can now request to receive a ballot by mail. Requests can be made at LakeVoterPower.info  or by calling 847-377-2410.  

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Veterans Invited To Share Their Story for Veterans History Project

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Veterans are invited to come to the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on Nov. 11 to have their oral histories recorded. The typed transcripts will be archived at the Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project. This project aims to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans. The deadline to submit forms to participate in this year’s event is Oct. 1. Any veteran interested in being interviewed for this project should contact Carol Cord at ccord@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-3771. Learn more


Don’t Become A Victim! Protect Yourself Against Scams

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Certain crimes such as popular scams can be targeted to older adults, so awareness and education are key to protecting yourself. Attend this upcoming free workshop to learn the popular scams which target senior citizens, the steps to take if you should become a victim of a financial scam and more. Register to Attend

When: 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 24
Where: Gurnee Police Department, 100 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee
Questions? Contact Sandra Bankston at 847-377-3184

Telephone Scams
Anyone can be susceptible to a telephone scam. Here are some tips from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to protect yourself. 


Jail and Health Department Work to Break Cycle of Addiction

The Lake County Jail and Health Department have launched a new treatment option to help opioid or alcohol addicted inmates in the Lake County Jail. Those eligible will begin receiving addiction treatment services through the Health Department in the jail and after they are released. The Health Department has committed to treating 15 inmates over the next six months. The initiative is part of the Health Department’s newly expanded Medication-Assisted Treatment program, which recently received a grant of $325,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Read news release


Take Steps Now To Prepare Your Family for An Emergency

Take action! Work with your family and your community to develop an action plan, so you can be prepared if an emergency should occur. To observe National Preparedness Month through September, check out these resources that can help you plan. And watch this video to learn ways to get emergency information in Lake County.

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Community News

Enjoy pasta dinner Friday night
An all-you-can-eat pasta dinner will be served from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at the Volunteer Fire Department Bingo Hall, 114 Washington St., Ingleside. 

Save the date for fall festival
Grant Township and the Village of Fox Lake will hold its fall festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Grant Township Center, 26725 W. Molidor Road, Fox Lake. Learn more


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