Property owners should be aware that their assessment notices may arrive slightly earlier than in previous years. A recent change in state law provides counties the ability to publish assessments prior to August 10 and maintain a 30 day assessment appeal period.

The County Assessment Officials Association worked with State Senator Pam Althoff of McHenry to get this timeline changed through the Illinois State Legislature. With the huge increase in the number of property owners appealing their assessment valuations, it is crucial that the process start earlier in order to get through the appeal hearings before the tax billing cycle begins.

Lake County property owners in Fremont Township will be the first to benefit from the change this year. Historically, Fremont Township is one of the first townships to have its assessment roll ready for the Chief County Assessment Office and residents in that township typically see their assessment notice in early August. For the first time, the Fremont Township assessment notices will be published in July.

Chief County Assessment Officer Martin Paulson explained, "It's important for property owners to note this change, because they might see their assessment notice arrive earlier than in previous years. Everyone will still have 30 days to file an appeal, but it will really give our office a head start to meet the increase demands of the assessment appeal process."