Lake County News - Tax Information

The Lake County Board is responsible for 7% of your property tax bill. Property taxes make up 29% of the County's budget. The County also gets funding from sales and motor fuel taxes, fees for services, like water bills, etc.

Where do my tax dollars go? Please watch this short video to see where your 7 cents goes.

2009 Tax Bills will be Mailed Soon

The 2009 Lake County Tax bills will be mailed the first week in May, with the first installment due date set for June 3rd and the 2nd installment due date set for September 3rd.

Due to the current economic conditions and the fact that some homeowners may have received slightly lower assessments for the 2009 tax year, many homeowners may be expecting substantially lower tax bills. It is important to remember that the assessed value that is set by the local township assessor is only a part of the equation, the budgets and levies that each taxing district set each year is the other factor. Unless all taxing districts reduce spending levels, property taxes may stay at current levels.

Tax Payment Information

Options: Payment options again include payment via U.S. Mail, in person at most Lake County Banks and at the Lake County Treasurer's Office, 18 N. County Street, Room 102, Waukegan. Customers paying in person must bring the original or a copy of the tax bill with them at the time of payment.

Online Payments: Taxpayers may make payments online by credit card or E-check at lakecountyil.gov/Treasurer/payments/OnlinePayments.htm. There is a convenience fee charged by the processing company for those paying online.

Partial Payments: Partial payments will again be accepted once the bills have been released in the mail, with the understanding that after each of the due dates, the remaining balances could be subject to additional interest. All payments must be received and posted by 5:00 pm on November 24th to avoid the annual tax sale.

Check your Payment Status

Property Tax Bill

I have received some calls asking about the county board's role in the property tax bill.

Did you know that the Lake County Board doesn't determine your tax bill or the value of your property? The township assessor sets the value of your property. Each government body sets its own tax rate, approves its own budget and holds budget hearings. Taxpayers have an opportunity to provide input at these public hearings.

While you write your property tax payment to the Lake County Collector, Lake County government is responsible for 7% of the tax bill.

So, for a house with a value of $250,000, $346 of the property tax bill goes to county government. The rest is distributed to more than 200 other taxing districts, with schools getting the biggest piece. Each taxing body is responsible for their portion of the tax bill. Unless taxing bodies reduce spending levels, property tax bills will remain at current levels.

In response to the declining economy the County Board made reductions to the 2010 budget of over $6,000,000.

Vista Hospital Public Hearing

For a Free Standing Emergency Room

Vista Hospital has applied for a Certificate of Need (CON) to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. For a free standing emergency room.

There will be a Public Hearing on:

Tuesday, May 4th at 10:00 a.m.

Lake Villa Township Community Center

37850 N. Route 59

Lake Villa

I will be testifying on behalf of all the Citizens. Please feel free to attend and sign up to testify at the Public Hearing. Please bring your testimony in writing. This is a very important step in the process of bringing a hospital to Northwestern Lake County.

Where did the Stimulus Dollars Go?

I am often asked if Lake County received any stimulus funding and what it was for.

Stimulus Funds received by Lake County

Stimulus Funds received by the State of Illinois

Permit Center Moved to Libertyville

If you live in unincorporated Lake County and need to get a permit from Lake County Building and Zoning, contact Stormwater Management or get a permit for a well or septic, this information will be important to you.

The new Central Permitting facility is now located in Libertyville at 500 Winchester Road. Please pass this information along to your neighbors. Their phone number is (847) 377-2600.

What are the Plans for Peterson Road?