The good news – it is a beautiful day in Northwest Illinois.

The bad news – The first installment of your 2012 real estate tax bills are due (or were due) as follows:

Carroll County – July 5, 2013

Jo Daviess County – July 9, 2013 

Ogle County – June 14, 2013

Stephenson County –  June 28, 2013

            Winnebago County – June 14, 2013

Remember if you are late in paying your taxes, you will pay interest at the rate of 18% per annum!  The Illinois legislature increased the rate from 12% per annum years ago when interest rates were high.  Of course, they have not lowered the penalty rate.  Based on present interest rates at banks  of .1%, 4% would be excessive.  If an individual charge 18% it might be called criminal!    Another example of Illinois corruption.

Every time I go out in my yard and get bitten by a mosquito I think of our Illinois politicians.

There is an expression that the only thing that goes up in Illinois is your taxes.  Wrong – we do have one growth industry.  MOSQUITOS.  Last year with the drought you probably did not notice them.    This year the mosquitos are in attack mode.  You cannot work in your yard or sit on your deck without being attacked.    I am tired of excuses from local politicians.  Stop pretending – abolish the mosquito districts.   The only solution – stay in your house until the first frost.  Then you can enjoy your yard and prepare it for winter!  If you get West Nile Virus, it is your own fault.  You went outside in your yard for which you pay high taxes and forgot to douse yourself in deet. 

By the way there is a difference between mosquitos and Illinois politicians – mosquitos just suck a little blood at a time during the summer while our Illinois politicians suck money from us year around.  How Sad!

Now that you have received your real estate tax bills, it is time to think about filing a tax complaint if your property is over assessed.  Your assessment should be one-third of the market value of your property.   If you live in Stephenson County, email Ron Kane at assessor@co.stephenson.il.us or call him at 815.235.8260 and ask him when you can file a complaint for 2013 on your tax assessment.  Ask him to notify you in writing when a complaint can be filed.

-Malcolm C. McPherson.  Malcolm is an attorney in Freeport, Illinois.  His practice is concentrated in Estate Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, and Agricultural Real Estate.  Malcolm enjoys commenting on local topics. McPhersonLawOffices.com

Summer as finally arrived in Northwest Illinois. Get out there and enjoy the weather!

Some thoughts on taxes and gas prices!

Wisconsin is cutting income taxes, and Illinois has raised the income tax 67% in the last couple of years. Compare Illinois to Florida. Florida has a balanced state budget, no income tax, sales taxes that in most areas are lower than Illinois, no estate tax, state pensions under control, and to top it off on average much lower real estate taxes. The Illinois solution – raise taxes so government can spend more. In difficult economic times, the taxing bodies in most counties in Illinois including most in Stephenson County have continued to raise taxes since 2007.

Residential home owners in the City of Freeport in an era of falling prices see their real estate taxes going up and most assessments staying the same not reflecting the drop in values. Small business owners who own real estate have seen their taxes increase drastically. Most commercial assessments do not reflect the drastic drop in values. In states like Florida, assessments are adjusted yearly to reflect the changes in value. Residential and commercial real estate in Florida have fallen in value and the real estate taxes reflect this change in value. Why not in the City of Freeport?

In the past there was group in leadership positions in the City of Freeport who took the position – if you do not like high taxes coupled with deteriorating conditions in the community, you should leave. Unfortunately, many have left with fewer and fewer taxpayers remaining.

Are gas prices high in Freeport, Illinois? Compare and reach your own conclusion.

Price per Gallon 6-7-13

Tampa, Florida $ 3.37

Albany, New York: $ 3.64

US Average $ 3.64

Quad Cities $ 3.77

Los Angeles, California $ 3.97

Madison, Wisconsin $ 3.99

Freeport, Illinois $ 4.19