Assessment notices for the 2018 tax year will be
sent out this week to Shields Township residents.
What is A Property Assessment?
It may help to think of the property tax process like a pie. Taxing bodies,
including school districts, villages and the county (and many other taxing
districts) determine how much they need to collect in taxes. That determines
the size of the pie, and the property assessment determines how the pie is cut
up. The assessment process ensures property taxes are fairly distributed.
Elected township assessors are primarily responsible for appraising properties
and determining a property’s value, which ultimately determines the portion of
the total tax burden (or piece of the pie). If you have questions or concerns
regarding the assessed value of your property, you should discuss this with your local township
assessor’s office.
Understand Your Property Assessment
Get free one-on-one assistance with evaluating your assessment
at a tax assessment help center. The first center will be offered May 16 at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake. Also, centers will be provided on May 29 and June 5 at the College of Lake County Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills. All centers will meet from 4 to 7 p.m. More dates
will be released on the Chief County Assessment Office website.
Taxpayer advocates are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday at the Chief County Assessment Office, 18 N. County Street,
7th Floor, Waukegan.
Should You Appeal Your Property Assessment?
View the five steps to
determining if you should appeal your property assessment.
Filing an Appeal? Use our Online System
The final filing date for assessment appeals in Shields Township is June 11.
Our quick and convenient Online Appeal Filing
System allows you to get your appeal information to the Board of
Review without the hassle of mailing or hand delivering them to the Chief
County Assessment Office in Waukegan. Watch this video to learn more about the process
to file an appeal online.
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Be Aware of Deceptive Phone Calls
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been made
aware of a current scam where the caller says, “This call is to inform you
there is an arrest warrant issued for your name and identity. Before the
warrant is issued to the State get back to us by calling 219-225-8553.” Don’t
give identifying or personal information to anyone over the telephone, unless
you have confirmed who you are speaking with.
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Become A Lake County
Deputy Sheriff
The Lake County Sheriff’s Merit Commission is accepting
applications for Lake County Deputy
Sheriff through May 31. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and at least
21 years of age at the time of orientation, a high school graduate (or GED),
and possess a valid driver's license. Apply
today.
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Purchase
native flowers and woody plants, a rain barrel or compost bin, and learn about
eco-friendly practices to benefit your home, pocketbook and the community at
the Native
Plant, Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale on Saturday, May 12,
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Independence Grove in Libertyville. On Saturday
only, rain barrel and compost bins will be available for sale from the Solid
Waste Agency of Lake County. View the native plant species
available.
Lake Forest Native Plant and Tree Sale A variety of native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees will be available to purchase as Lake Forest Open Lands hosts its native plant and tree sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 350 N. Waukegan Road. Arborists and plant experts will be on hand to answer questions.
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Electronics recycling, paper shredding, and
latex paint collection will be available at the next Recycle-O-Rama from 9 a.m.
to noon May 19 at Hawthorn Mall’s Sears parking lot in Vernon Hills. Learn more
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The first installment of Lake County property taxes is due June 6.
Please note, the taxes due on property tax bills WILL reflect
pre-payments. Bills will show the total calculated taxes due for the year, the
amount prepaid, and the remaining amount due, if any. Find out more,
including how you can view your current property tax payment status, see the
property tax payment options available and view how your property taxes are
distributed.
The Lake County Health Department and Community Health
Center is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings to the public this
spring and summer. These full-day workshops will provide adults with the
knowledge to identify and support adolescents who are at risk or displaying
warning signs of mental health/substance use problems or experiencing a mental
health crisis. Registration is required. View
all upcoming trainings.
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National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is May
10. To shed light on mental health conditions among youth, the Lake County
System of Care for Families is hosting two free public events titled “Ending
the Silence” on May 10 (in English) and May 17 (in Spanish) at the Lake County
Health Department in Waukegan. Youth ages 13 to 18, caregivers, and adults who
work with youth are invited to attend to learn about the warning signs of
mental health conditions and what steps to take if they or a loved one are
showing symptoms of a mental illness. Learn more
Forest Preserve News
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Forest Fitness
Join the Lake County Forest Preserves and dozens of local park districts in the
new Go Lake County movement. This countywide low-impact
fitness initiative aims to empower Lake County residents to improve their
overall health through the simple act of walking. And, there’s no greater
benefit to our bodies and minds than walking in nature. Our outdoor hiking
programs offered in forest preserves throughout Lake County are a natural fit
to get you going. Attend our weekly Forest Fitness hikes, which are now part of
the Go Lake County initiative, or take friends and family
along for a hike on any of our scenic preserve
trails.
Spring Bird Walk
May is the month for songbird
migration. Join skilled birders on these walks from 7 to 9 a.m. on select days
throughout the month. Bring binoculars if you have them. See days and locations.
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Sunset Paddle
Enjoy a relaxing paddle and watch the sunset from Hastings Lake on May
20, at 7 p.m. Bring your own equipment or use one of our kayaks. No
experience required, but it is recommended. Register today.
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Independence Grove
Beach
Grab your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen, and head to the
beach at Independence
Grove, opening weekends only starting May 27. The beach will open
daily beginning June 5. The beach offers 400 feet of sand along the
lake's South Bay. Learn more
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Wildlife in
the Preserves
By early June, coyote pups begin to
venture out of the den that has sheltered them since birth. In early summer, we
often receive reports of sightings due to increased daytime activity. When dens
are located near trails we install signs to inform trail users about coyote
behavior and how to safely respond if a sighting occurs. Learn more at LCFPD.org/coyotes.
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Lake County Public Works recently completed upgrades to the
Des Plaines River Water Reclamation Facility, which will reduce the amount of
phosphorus discharged into local waterways. Now all three of Lake County’s
water reclamation facilities have a new biological process for treating water. Watch this video to
learn more.
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