Chairman’s Corner: As Property Tax Payments Arrive, a Thank You Is in Order to Kane Taxpayers

The only thing worse than dying is paying your property taxes because, as James Bond said, “you only die once,” but property taxes are forever.

We, in Kane County government, are so grateful for the privilege of serving people who sacrifice so much to make Kane County what it is. When I was a boy I thought it was all about good intentions, but now, as an adult, I understand that “good intentions” don’t pay the bills.

To demonstrate our gratitude, there is a whole team of public servants who are working to make the property tax system run as fairly and smoothly as possible.

Mark Armstrong, the supervisor of assessments and his staff, have built a state-wide reputation around so much expertise that Mark literally helps write the property tax code in Illinois.

Dave Rickert, our CPA treasurer, has assembled a team of the nicest people who try to greet taxpayers with hospitality and sympathy.

County Clerk Jack Cunningham and his staff have established a record of accurate bills that go out on time so the revenue needed to run various local governing bodies comes in on time avoiding the unnecessary additional expense of borrowing.

Our ongoing commitment to Kane County taxpayers, during the time of decreasing property values, is to freeze the property tax levies for the county, Forest Preserve, and, indirectly, the Fox Valley Park District. We are already operating in the second year of the freeze in all of these three areas without an increase.

Some people say these three taxing bodies only represent a nickel or a dime of their total property tax bill. However, where most of us come from, and especially these days, every nickel and dime counts.

So again, thank you!