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ALERT FOR MUNDELEIN RESIDENTS:
Notification of Gas Main Burn Off
Representatives of North Shore Gas want to alert Mundelein residents and those in the surrounding communities of a condition that will occur in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 11.
North Shore Gas crews will be working to tie-in a new natural gas main in Mundelein, south of Allanson Road and north of Route 60 and west of Butterfield road, in an electric transmission right-of-way. The tie-in of the new gas main requires crews to burn off natural gas through a 50-foot-high flare pipe. It may produce a flame 40 to 50 feet above the flare pipe. Residents should not be alarmed if they see that flame appear.
The burning should start between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Tuesday and last for 2 to 3 hours. It is possible that crews might need to burn the flare again later on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, depending on how long it takes for crews to tie in the new gas main.
"Seeing a flame this large may be alarming," said John Saigh, construction manager for North Shore Gas. "It's important for residents to know that the burning off of the natural gas through the flare pipe and the subsequent flame is a controlled and contained situation and a normal part of this operation."
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| Property Tax Appeal Update | |
Dear Neighbors,
Property tax assessment cards are in the process of being mailed our area.
While I don't have a role in determining your assessment, I am here to act as your advocate and help you learn about the appeal process.
Libertyville Township residents should have received their cards as well as a postcard from me on how to appeal your assessment. You have until close of business today, Monday (Oct. 10), to file an appeal.
Vernon Township residents will receive their assessment cards in the next week or so.
I will keep Ela Township residents posted on when their assessment cards will be mailed out. You will most likely receive them near the end of the month or early next month.
You only have 30 days to appeal your assessment from the date it was mailed.
Please use the infomation below to learn about the process. Don't hesitate to contact your township assessor or myself for more information!
Sincerely,
Aaron Lawlor
Lake County Board
(847) 971-0454 - cell
(847) 377-2300 - office
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| How Do I Get Help In This Process? | |
The first thing I would do is call your Township Assessor. Find your Assessor here.
Ela Township
John Barrington
(847) 438-8370
Libertyville Township
Peggy Freese
(847) 362-5900
Vernon Township
Gary Raupp
(847) 634-4602
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| Am I Over Assessed? | |
Check the Accuracy of your Assessment
There are two ways to check the accuracy of your assessment.
- Go to the Chief County Assessment Office assessment website and see if your assessment valuation is similar to comparable properties. This site will show recent qualified sales for assessment purposes.
- You can obtain a property appraisal from a state licensed appraiser.
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| Reasons for an Appeal | |
You have a reason to appeal if you can support any of the following claims:
- The assessment is based on a factual error (e.g. incorrect square footage).*
- The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's recent sale price.
- The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's market value.
- The assessment is higher than the assessment of comparable properties.
- 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.
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Evidence You Need | |
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:
- A copy of the Real Estate Transfer Declaration, a deed or a contract for purchase.
- An appraisal of your property.
- 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).
- 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.
- If your appeal is on uniformity of assessments; information on the comparable properties.
- A copy of your property record card.
- Recent sales, comparable properites and an overview of your property can be found at the Lake County Chief Assessment Officer's website (click here).
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.
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Board of Review Implements
New Preliminary Review Process | |
Over the last several years, due to the historic changes in the housing market, the Lake County Board of Review - the panel responsible for reviewing and making determinations on property assessment appeals - has seen a drastic increase in the volume of appeals from taxpayers. Recent appeal filings from three townships show an increase between 100% and 400%.
To more efficiently manage this high volume of appeals, expedite the process, and produce faster results for taxpayers, the Board of Review (BOR) will issue a preliminary decision and attempt to settle the case without going to a formal hearing. The BOR evaluates evidence submitted from the taxpayer (or their representative), and the township assessors. In those cases where the evidence supports a clear determination, the BOR member can make a preliminary decision and present it to the taxpayer who can choose to accept it, or decide to pursue a formal hearing.
Chief County Assessment Officer Marty Paulson recommended the change to the Board of Review after seeing the success of a similar program in Winnebago County, Illinois.
"This change will result in a time savings for taxpayers because in most instances they will not have to come to Waukegan for a hearing. We will be able to resolve their appeals much faster," Paulson said. "Over the last few years, the volume of appeals has increased by four fold. As a result, the BOR started doing limited preliminary reviews - about 30% of the cases - and taxpayers were satisfied with the results."
In addition to providing a convenience to taxpayers, the new process reduces the number of in-person hearings, allowing the BOR to more efficiently manage the increased number of appeals, and conduct hearings within a timely manner. This change will benefit township assessors as well, allowing them to use their staff time more effectively in preparing the evidence for cases. Furthermore, it is critical that the Board of Review process is not delayed so that final assessments are reported to the treasurer in time to distribute tax bills.
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Hawthorn Woods Flu Shot Clinic | |
 The Village of Hawthorn Woods will be offering a flu shot clinic on Wednesday, October 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The clinic will take place in the Barn, located at 2 Lagoon Drive.
Vaccinations will be provided by a Certified Immunizer Walgreens Pharmacist. You must be 14 years of age or older to receive the Vaccination.
Please bring your insurance card and Walgreens will submit the paperwork. The shot is covered 100% by Medicare Part B and Medicaid. The cost of the shot is $31.99, if you are not covered by insurance.
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| Aaron Lawlor - Representing District 18 | |
Dear Neighbor,
I hope you find this information helpful. Please continue to ask questions and suggest topics for the e-newsletter.
With so much going on at all levels of government, don't hesitate to contact me with your questions and concerns regarding this or other issues. You can reach me via email or on my cell at (847) 971-0454.
It is an honor to serve YOU on the County Board and Forest Preserve Board.
Sincerely,
Aaron Lawlor
P.S. If this email was forwarded to you, please click here to sign up so I can get you information directly - especially in the case of a road closure, weather emergency or other issue.
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| Lake County Resident Resource Center | |
NEW Dental Discount Card
A new dental discount card program is now available that will help Lake County residents save money on their dental service expenses.
Individuals or families may opt to pay for a monthly or yearly membership. The cost for a yearly individual membership is $59 and $69 for families.
More than 200 providers in Lake County are participating in this program. Discount card holders will receive significant savings from these providers on dental cleanings, x-rays, braces, dentures, crowns, root canals and more. This plan is not insurance.
Cardholders can simply schedule an appointment with a participating dentist or specialist and present their card to receive a discount at the time of service.
To sign up for the Dental Discount Card Program, residents can download a registration form at: www.nacodentalprogram.com. A list of participating providers and more information is available.
Prescription Drug Discount Card
 County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug discount card program.
The card is free and accepted at most pharmacies. The average card savings is 20 percent off retail prices.
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 receive a card, click here or email me your address and I will send you one!
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