Striking fear into the hearts of all tax payers in Cook County!
Bungling? You bet!
Inept and Monstrous Behavior? You bet!
Totally obscure policies and ridiculous thinking! Why sure!
Just like Godzilla trampling Tokyo in the old movies - here comes Cook County ripping and smashing their way into your wallet! The more they try and help - the more streets are smashed and 
chaos abounds!
So what makes me jump on the 'way-back machine' to bring back an old behemoth like Godzilla? The similarities to me are just striking. Lumbering along on Chicago streets reeking havoc and just plain being stupid. The process is so complex that the county doesn't even understand it's own procedures and lacks common sense.
So I have posted previously about a client of mine that is protesting his taxes and applying for his much deserved home owners exemption.
Well, the county has recently replied that his protest was denied on the following basis - 'that these similar homes are also taxed at the same rate.' Your request is denied.
Hmmmm .... did you say similar homes?
OK, thanks Godzilla for that timely response and let's look at the material that you've sent back. Seven (7) other properties identified only by PIN's (permanent index numbers) so that the homeowner can barely find the information on the appeal. But, that aside, they are 7 homes right in the same neighborhood with roughly the same square footage of 1670 as my client.
My clients house is 1670 sq. ft. and the taxes were $5800.00. Yikes!
House #1 1668 sq. ft. $3454.85 Difference of $2345
House #2 $3791.71 Difference of $2008
House #3 $3617.43 Difference of $2182
House #4 1624 sq. ft. $5661.79 Difference of $138
House #5 $3590.21 Difference of $2209
House #6 1638 sq. ft. $5721.46 Difference of $78
House #7 1760 sq. ft. $3151.60 Difference of $2648
Just a quick once over and it seems that 2 people in this lineup have a similar problem? Taxes on Subject #4 are $5600 and Subject #6 are $5700. The others in the lineup are between $3100 to $3800! That is $2000 minimum difference per homeowner in each instance!
Cook County doesn't see a problem with that - oh sorry, I mean Godzilla!
So let's charge one homeowner with a similar house $5600 and the other $3100. Yeah, that's equally applying the tax code!
This is just a quick example of how the tax process is applied to homeowners with equal sized homes in Schaumburg Township. I wish I could say that this is an isolated case but it isn't. The purpose of this post is to point out to the homeowners what is going on and how unevenly and unjustly the taxes are applied.
The next part of the process for my client will be with the 'Board of Review'. So stay tuned folks for a future report and see where Godzilla shows up next! Maybe in your neighborhood? Let's hope not!
Another Homeowner Exemption Story
Lyn Sims (847)230-7324 at RE/MAX Suburban
I proudly serve and sell real estate in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in the communities of Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Roselle, Palatine, Medinah, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.
All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. Lyn Sims makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from it’s display or use.
Resources: MRED MLS, Cook County Assessor, Cook County Treasurer, my accurate little calculator. "All names were changed to protect the innocent except Godzilla and the Assessor". Addresses were deleted but can be provided upon request as this is factual information.
Tax Appeal Process ©2009 Lyn Sims - RealEstateConsumerInfo.com and RealEstateBuyMe.com
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