Gov. Quinn Signs Property Tax Relief Law

New law increases senior homestead exemption and general homestead exemption.

Gov. Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will reduce property tax bills for seniors across Illinois. Senate Bill 1894 raises the senior homestead exemption from $4,000 to $5,000 – potentially saving seniors up to more than $200 annually. This new exemption for seniors takes effect for Cook County this year. All other counties will benefit from the increase beginning next year. “The new law will reduce property tax bills for seniors across Illinois,” Gov. Quinn said. “This boost in savings will relieve some of the financial burden faced by seniors and working families, and help ensure no one struggles to stay in their home.” Sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) and Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), SB 1894 increases the …

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Should Onwentsia Appeal Tax Ruling?

Would an appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court help private North Shore golf clubs?

When the Illinois Appellate Court ruled last week private golf clubs’ improvements like the club house should be considered by the Township Assessor when calculating a property tax bill, the Onwentsia Club had two choices. The Lake Forest club can either end the litigation or appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. A decision not to take action means the clubs will pay property taxes and the burden will not be shifted to neighboring businesses and residences. Earlier: Court: Onwentsia, Other Clubs Can’t Pass Tax Burden to Residents As people commenting on Patch’s story reporting the court decision took a variety of paths, we want to know what the readers think. Should there be an appeal? Readers see both sides of the discussion. “Big win for…

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Morrison Looking at Private Club Property Tax Issue

State senator is researching legislative action to require private golf clubs to pay real estate tax on their improvements. Patch poll shows overwhelming support for lawmaking.

State Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) has decided to look at ways the Illinois General Assembly can require private golf clubs to pay property taxes on their improved real estate after learning of litigation winding its way through the court system which would allow an exemption. The issue came to light Jan. 30 when Patch published a story describing legal action brought by the Onwentsia Club of Lake Forest contending since its golf course is open land exempt from property taxes, its buildings like its club house should not be assessed either. Earlier: Should Legislature Require Taxes From Golf Clubs Since taxing authorities like school and park districts which rely on the revenue would have to either reduce their revenue or increase the…

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Will All Highland Park Pay Taxes for Private Clubs?

Pending court decision would take golf courses like Old Elm, Exmoor, Bob-O-Link and Northmoor off tax rolls and shift burden to all community taxpayers.

A property tax appeal by the Onwentsia Club of Lake Forest could have far reaching effects on Lake County taxpayers and those in Highland Park in particular as well as communities throughout the state. As the appeal stands, country club land like that belonging to Old Elm, Exmoor, Bob O'Link and Northmoor Country Clubs, including improvements such as clubhouses, would be granted open space status and therefore would receive a zero assessment. Get local news in a daily email from Patch. It's like getting a free newspaper. Learn more.  “The public needs to know what benefits these organizations, country clubs, are getting. Should we be providing tax relief for them?” Lake County Assessor Martin Paulsen said. He said the ruling could result …

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Highland Park Comics

How to Adjust to a Tax Hike

Here's a novel suggestion to reduce your property taxes.

Last Monday, the city council approved of a 2011 budget that increases the tax levy by 2.51 percent. The article reported that a homeowner with a home assessed at $600,000 will pay about $76 more in property taxes in 2011 than in 2010.  This week, Highland Park Patch's Drew Lerman offers a novel suggestion to reduce that cost.

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David Greenberg

4:06 pm on Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The tongue-in-cheek comic aside, higher taxes often lead people to put off maintenance and other items on their own properties. This has a ripple effect which tends to lead to an overall decline in property value. Eventually the neighborhood declines so far that people leave, and it enters a downward spiral. It's happened in Cities all across the Country, it's why some people initially fled the …   more ›