Lake County News 
 
from David Stolman 
 
August 27, 2010 David Stolman District 20 Representative and County Board Vice-Chairman
 
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
David Stolman
David Stolman
   
As always, it's a pleasure and honor representing you on the County and Forest Preserve Boards. Please contact me anytime for any reason - I love hearing from you! 
 
Send emails to: dstolman@lakecountyil.gov or call me at 847-377-2300.
 
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news.   

Thank you,
David Stolman
 
Lake County Board 
Representative District 20
 
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  AAA Bond Rating

 
As your Lake County Board Member, I want to let you know that Lake County continues to maintain a Triple A bond rating through the recession. While you hear about the budget issues in Cook County and at the State of Illinois, I wanted to make sure you are aware of the fiscal stability of Lake County. We are actually rated in the top 38 out of 3000 counties in the country. That being said, we stay fiscally strong by making sure we don't spend funds that we don't have. As your County Board Member, I am responsible for voting on the expenditure of seven percent of your tax bill which funds county services that includes courts, jails, county roads, Winchester House, health department, elections, etc. Last year we cut 6 million out of our budget to maintain a balanced budget, and this year we are anticipating cutting an additional 6 million.  We are receiving less income tax and sales tax revenue and like your budgets at home, we have to cut spending as well. We are working with each department and will be prioritizing expenditures of your tax dollars and making the tough decisions so that our budget is balanced.

 

 Property Assessment Notices

Lake County residents will be receiving their assessment notices over the next few months. Taxpayers are encouraged to discuss their questions regarding their property assessment valuation with their local township assessor's office. 

 

Remember that you only have 30 days from the publication date to appeal your property assessment valuation. 

 

   

 Am I Overassessed?

Your assessment notice states that you should check the accuracy of your assessment valuation. 

How do you do that? 
 
There are two ways to check the accuracy of your assessment. 
  
1.   You can go to the Chief County Assessment Office assessment information and check whether your assessment valuation is equitable as compared to comparable properties.  This site will show recent qualified sales for assessment purposes.  
                                                  
2.   You can obtain a property appraisal from a state licensed appraiser.

How do I get Help  

The first thing I would do is call your Township Assessor to make sure there are no obvious mistakes. Click here to find your Township Assossor.

 

 

What if I disagree with my assessment?
 
 1. Determine the fair cash value for your property (this is based upon 3 years of sale transactions prior to the assessment date).
  
 2. Discuss the assessment with your township assessor's office.
  
 3. Determine the basis for your formal appeal.
  
 4. File a written appeal with the Board of Review by your final filing date for your township.
  
 5. Present evidence of an unfair assessment to the Board of Review at the hearing.

 

  

 HELP!!! 
If you are overwhelmed at this point, I want you to know that the Chief County Assessment Office has been offering Tax Assessment Help Centers and there are still times available . Click here for dates and times.
 
This is an important resource that is available to you.

   

Filing an assessment valuation appeal
 
Taxpayers may file an appeal of their assessed valuation with the Lake County Board of Review no later than 30 consecutive days from the actual publication date for your township. All appeals must be on the prescribed forms.  Late filings cannot be accepted.
 
For appeal forms, instructions, and the Rules and Procedures of the Board of Review, Visit www.lakecountyil.gov/boardofreview or call (847) 377-2100 for more information.

   Reasons for an Appeal 
You have a reasonable appeal if you can support any of the following claims:
 
1.  The assessment is based on a factual error (e.g. incorrect square footage).*
2.  The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's recent sale price.
3.  The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's market value.
4.  The assessment is higher than the assessment of comparable properties.
5.  Matters of law (e.g. carrying forward prior year residential appeal results, preferential assessment and farmland valuation).
 
*In this event, a Certificate of Error may be issued by the township assessor's office with the concurrence of the Board of Review, even after the tax bill is received.
 
Reasons for an Appeal                                                          
 
Appeal Forms

Evidence Needed 

 
To support your claim of an unfair assessment you will need substantial evidence, some of which may be obtained from your township assessor, the Chief County Assessment Office, from a professional appraiser hired at your own expense or through your own research. Pertinent evidence for non-farm property should include some or all of the following:
 
 1.   A copy of the Real Estate Transfer Declaration, a deed or a contract for purchase.
 2.   An appraisal of your property.
 3.   A list of recent sales of comparable properties (photographs and property record cards should be presented, as well as some evidence of the sale price).
 4.   A photograph of elements detracting from the value of your property not shown on the property record card and an estimate, in terms of dollars, of their negative effect on the market value.
5.    If your appeal is on uniformity of assessments; information on the comparable properties.
 6.   A copy of your property record card.
 
Taxpayers may file an appeal of their assessed valuation with the Lake County Board of Review no later than 30 consecutive days from the actual publication date for your township. All appeals must be on the prescribed forms.  Late filings cannot be accepted.
 
For appeal forms, instructions, and the Rules and Procedures of the Board of Review, visit www.lakecountyil.gov/boardofreview or call (847) 377-2100 for more information.
 

   

The Process  
 
1.  Determine the fair cash value for your property (this is based upon 3 years of sale transactions prior to the assessment date: 2007-2009).
 
 2.  Discuss the assessment with your township assessor's office.
 
 3.  Determine the basis for your formal appeal.
 
 4.  File a written appeal with the Board of Review by your final filing date for your township.
 
 5.  Present evidence of an unfair assessment to the Board of Review at the hearing
  
 For more information visit: www.lakecountyil.gov/assessor.
 
 
Free Medical Services from Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital's CareCoach
 CareCoach
 
CareCoach takes its free health services and educational programs on the road to 22 community sites each month. Services provided a registered nurse include:
  • Cholesterol screenings
  • Blood pressure screenings
  • Diabetes screenings
  • BMI screenings
  • Waist measurement screenings
  • Tobacco cessation services
  • Counseling with a registered nurse
  • Immunizations
  • Referrals to a physician, if needed
 
 
Prescription Drug Card
 
County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug discount card program.  The free card that is accepted at most pharmacies offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.  This is intended for people without prescription coverage or on medicines not covered by your plan.  The card may also be used where accepted to fill prescriptions for pets. To print a card, click here.