Hello Neighbors
As a member of the Lake County Board and the Lake County Forest Preserves District, I have learned that several items stand out as common themes for discussion with residents: property taxes, transportation, access/activities in the preserves. This newsletter includes information about each of those key topics.
1. Our GIS Maps Department staff uses sophisticated technology and skill to provide information for a variety of needs. You may want to take a tour of the system(s) and learn about the potential for important (or just interesting) information.
2. Lake County's Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has a smart system - PASSAGE - available online. You can sign up for alerts. For today - please take the survey and browse the site. As a reminder, the direct link is always available in each newsletter I send to you.
3. Property taxes are driven by several factors. The key ingredients are A. the taxing unit's individual budgets and the dollar portion budgeted to come from property taxes. This dollar amount is the "levy". B. The equalized assessed value (EAV) of each parcel of property that is taxed to pay for that levy dollar amount. By state law, the EAV must be 1/3 of the market value.
These issues, each in its own way, are very complex and can induce passionate responses from residents. For example - whose road is it to build and maintain (village, township, county, state, federal)? Or ... I don't like the equalizing process mandated by state law.
Read on, satisfy your curiosity and continue to be an informed resident of your neighborhood, our district (10) and Lake County. Please call, text or email me if I can be of help.
Lake
County government is investing in various improvement projects across the
county – including road, water/sewer and stormwater projects and facility
expansion projects like the new court tower in Waukegan. To help residents see
and learn about the projects we’re working on, we’ve developed the easy-to-use
Lake County Capital
Improvement Projects web portal.
Visit the new Maps Online, which is now
easier to use, can be used on any device, including cell phones and tablets,
and has more functionality. One of Lake
County’s most frequently visited web applications, Maps Online allows users to
search and customize maps to include administrative boundaries, cities, water
features, parks, landmarks, highways, bike/hike paths, buildings and more. Check It Out Today!
Provide
Your Feedback:
Our GIS Division welcomes comments on the new Maps Online. To provide your
feedback, send an email to gis@lakecountyil.gov.
Traffic Information at Your Fingertips!
 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
notifications, Twitter 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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 Forest Preserve News
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 Join
the Colossal Cup
Join the fun as two-player teams compete for prizes Oct. 2 at the Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein. Shotgun start is at 10 a.m. The
colossal cup size is double the standard cup, so putts will sink with ease and
your score will drop with it. Learn more.
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Become
a TreeKeeper
TreeKeepers is an eight session, award-winning certificate program that takes
an in-depth look at urban trees and their care. Learn through hands-on
experience from regional tree experts. Topics include identification, tree
physiology, tree pests and tree care. The program will begin Sept. 28. Learn more. |
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Make
a Difference for Wildlife Workday
Learn about the benefits of native plants, how to identify invasive species,
and then participate in a habitat restoration workday. This event will take
place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 1 at Hastings
Lake in
Lake Villa. Learn more. |
Take
the Des Plaines River Trail Challenge
Travel the entire 31.4 miles of the Des Plaines River
Trail (DPRT) by Nov. 30 and be rewarded. The final section of the DPRT was
completed in 2015 and now spans the length of the county.
Help celebrate this amazing gem by using it. Bike it. Boat it. Walk it or run
it. Or, you can make a donation to help the Forest Preserves keep it
clean and safe. Learn more. |
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The new Lake County Courthouse will be eight
stories tall and is expected to be completed in spring 2018. This expansion is
designed to help increase efficiency of the justice system and help the county
prepare for population growth. Watch this video to
take a tour, and see the progress being made on the expansion project. |
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Ela Township Residents!!! Monday, September 26 is the last day for Ela Township
residents to file an appeal to your assessed value. You may request a review of your assessed value based on specific circumstances. Contact the Township Assessor or use the online system at assessor.lakecountyil.org .
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The Chief County Assessment Officer (CCAO) gave a
presentation to the Lake County Board at our recent meeting. He explained details of the assessment process. Much of the presentation and Q & A related specifically to the equalization process which
has led to an increase in 2016 assessments. It’s important to note that
the “equalization factor” can result in an increase to your assessment, but it
does not necessarily result in an increased tax bill next year. Board
members asked many questions that may help taxpayers better understand this
complex issue. Watch the discussion
now.
Some of our residents believe that the process is driven by the County Board or the CCAO only. In fact, the entire property tax
process is defined by State law and is executed by the Township Assessor, the CCAO, the Board of Review and the Illinois Department of Revenue (DOR).
Each year, the Illinois Department of Revenue
(DOR) provides its analysis of the assessment
level in each township using recent sales transactions compared to assessed values. The
next step in the process is for the CCAO to apply the
township “equalization factor” when market sales are higher (or lower) than the
assessment value levels. The equalization process was designed to assure uniform levels so that every taxpayer in a taxing district (school, park, village, etc.) pays a fair amount (based on EAV) of each of the government units' budgets (Levy). The
equalization factor is intended to insure that 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 - each Township Assessor must provide a review of individual assessment values
and make adjustments if necessary.
If all factors in a taxing district remain constant (no significant change in number/relative value of parcels) and if everyone’s assessment went up (by
any percentage) and taxing bodies (schools, cities, townships, county, etc/) did not raise their budget requirement levy (tax dollars), the equalization itself would not
impact your tax bill. This is complicated because some taxing bodies will increase their levy and some overlap multiple
townships, but essentially, the equalization factor ensures the tax
burden is distributed fairly from township to township.
To learn more, visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov, or call
the office and talk to one of our taxpayer advocates.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is currently
accepting applications for reserve deputies. The Reserve Deputy Unit is
comprised of members who give back to Lake County through community service in
the area of law enforcement. Candidates must
be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a high school graduate (or
equivalent). Apply
today |
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Every year, suicide claims the lives of 40,000 people, and another 500,000 people
attempt it. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the National
Council is joining with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to expand its #BeThe1To campaign and emphasize the role everyone can play to take action and save lives.
Find
out how you can help someone who may be thinking of suicide.
 Residents in
unincorporated Lake County may be able to save up to 20 percent on their flood
insurance policies. Lake County is recertified each year through FEMA based on
our floodplain and building code regulations and community information and
education. With this rating, there is a potential savings of up to $257 per
policy, saving Lake County residents $253,413 annually. Visit the County’s flood information page to determine if you
are located in a floodplain and learn more about floodplain regulations. To see
if you qualify, contact your flood insurance agent.
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Lake County Public Works has begun its fall hydrant flushing.
Public Works customers may notice a slight discoloration of the water after
flushing. This is not harmful and will dissipate after a short time. It is
recommended that you do not do laundry on the day that hydrant
flushing takes place in your area. View the hydrant
flushing schedule. |
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 Learn sensible salting practices for roads, parking
lots and sidewalks as the Lake County Stormwater Management
Commission offers its next Deicing Workshop. The workshop will take
place Oct. 4 and 5 at the Lake County Central Permit Facility in
Libertyville. The commission will give demonstrations on best methods to
protect adjacent lawns, wetlands and waterways while providing appropriate road
salt applications. Learn
more
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Get questions answered about ComEd smart meters at Mundelein programs
In an effort to educate the public about smart meters and the smart grid, ComEd will be outside the Mundelein Metra station between 3 and 7 p.m. Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and 17 to answer questions. ComEd representatives will discuss what to expect during the installation process and how to access information about energy use through online tools. Learn more
Bring documents to be shredded properly at Sept. 24 event
Join the community shred day and recycling fair from 9 a.m. to
noon Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Hunt Club Park Community Center, 920 Hunt Club
Road, Gurnee. Learn
more, including items that will be collected.
Decorate Wauconda center for Halloween
Let's decorate the Wauconda Park District Community Center with spooky Halloween pictures. Coloring sheets will be available beginning Oct. 3 at the park district office. Return pictures by Oct. 26. Prizes will be awarded. Learn more
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