Keep in mind that appeals on property assessments must be made within 30 days of receiving your assessment.  Check your appeal filing deadline.   Not all assessments have been mailed.  The following information should help your process.

Reasons to Appeal

• The assessment is based on a factual error (i.e. 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 (i.e. carrying forward prior year residential appeal results, preferential assessment and farmland valuation).

Evidence You Will Need

• 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
• Information on the comparable properties if your appeal is on the basis of uniformity of assessments
• A copy of your property record card

The Process

• Determine the fair cash value for your property (this is based upon 3 years of sale transactions prior to the assessment date).
• Discuss the assessment with your township assessor's office.
• Determine the basis for your formal appeal.
• File a written appeal with the Board of Review by your final filing date for your township.
• Present evidence of an unfair assessment to the Board of Review at the hearing.
• Appeal the Board of Review's decision to the State Property Tax Appeal Board if necessary.

Find your Township Assessor Office. 

Lake County is excited to present the 2012 summer newsletter, Lake County Connection. The newsletter focuses on our services from A-Z, provides a budget snapshot, a transportation update, and more. Read the newsletter here. 

Free Habitat Walks for Seniors

Explore many of the different habitats of Lake County, learning as you walk. These  free nature walks are designed for senior citizens and paced to the group's ability. The September nature walk will be from 9 to 10 a.m. September 19 at Grant Woods in Lake Villa. For more information, call 847-968-3113.

Walking is one of the easiest ways to add activity to your routine and your Lake County Forest Preserves provide the perfect setting. Enjoy fall breezes and autumn colors while exploring designated Hike Lake County trails in scenic forest preserves throughout Lake County. At each preserve, look for Hike Lake County signs at the trailhead to get you started on the right route. Complete just seven of the 12 designated hikes by November 30 and earn a free commemorative shield for your walking stick. Each year features new trails and an opportunity to enjoy the many vistas of Lake County while earning   a colorful new shield. This year includes a hike at beautiful Sedge Meadow.  

The  Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda is offering free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families through Labor Day, September 5, as part of the Blue Star Museum program, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,300 museums across America. View a  map and list of other participating museums. The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173, or a DD Form 1173-1, which includes active duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members, and up to five immediate family members. Present your ID card at the Lake County Discovery Museum front desk to receive free admission.

Walk with a Naturalist

9-10 a.m. September 1, MacArthur Woods (Mettawa). One-hour guided nature hike. Explore a new preserve each month. Adults. $1 for residents, $2 for nonresidents. No registration required.  Meet at the Rt. 60 parking lot by the Des Plaines River.

Check out the entire calendar for more activities. 

The Lake County Division of Transportation is now  

accepting applications for the Adopt-A-Highway Program. Enrollment is open through August 31. This program provides residents and businesses an opportunity to contribute towards a cleaner "greener" environment, one mile at a time.

IDOT pavement patching locations.  IDOT has announced its pavement patching throughout Lake County.  Check Lake County Passage for the most up to date schedule. 

Make your daily commute and travels throughout Lake County easier with Passage. Get real time traffic updates.  FInd out where there is construction or an accident delay.   You can download the android app or iPhone app.  

Work on Everett road bridge is complete!   

The Route 22

The new, permanent signals at Ridge,Tennyson, and Telegraph Road along Half Day Road (Route 22) have been energized and the temporary lighting removed.  The lights at Waukegan Road will not be energized until the bridge signal bridge is complete.

Linden Avenue in Deerfield

The Village of Deerfield will hold a public meeting for questions and comments on the timeline of the Linden Avenue infrastructure improvement.

The meeting will include a presentation by village engineering staff as well as ample time to ask questions and learn more about the issues driving the project. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact the Engineering Department and ask to speak with a Village representative regarding the project, at 847-317-2490 or via email at engineering@deerfield.il.us. 

Cleaning out the garage and basement?  Updating computers for the school year?  Make sure you dispose of electronics and hazardous waste correctly.  SWALCO is here to help.  New shoes for the school year?  If they are too worn, they can still be re-used in the

Reuse-A-Shoe program.  

 SEPTEMBER 2012 HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL WASTE (HCW) MOBILE EVENT

Saturday, September 29                 

8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Municipal Services Center

800 N. Field Drive
Lake Forest, IL

Appointments are not required for Mobile Household Chemical Waste events.  Residents may simply come to the mobile location between the stated hours, drive through and drop off their HCW materials.

SWALCO continues to offer Year-round HCW Public Drop-off Events to collect unwanted HCW items at our Gurnee facility. The facility is located at 1311 N. Estes in Gurnee, IL.  Upcoming 2012 HCW Public Drop-off Events (by appointment only) are held twice a month: the second Saturday of every month and the fourth Monday of every month (except December) 

All HCW collections are for residential waste only. Items you can bring to a collection include: CFL bulbs, unwanted prescription medicines and supplements (people and pet), household cleaners, gasoline, garden chemicals, pesticides, oil-based paints and varnishes (no latex), as well as other chemicals.  Please visit the HCW page for a general list of items accepted and not accepted at SWALCO's HCW collection events.  All HCW Collection Events, sponsored by SWALCO, are for Illinois residents (no business waste will be accepted) ONLY and are FREE.