KANE COUNTY

Breaking Down Kane's Tax System

The property tax system is extremely complicated, and when a citizen opens their tax bill and sees an increase in the amount of real estate taxes they have to pay that year, they are usually frustrated. Mark Armstrong, Kane County's Supervisor of Assessments, provides answers to some excellent questions about your County taxes:

How much did Kane County levy in property taxes this year? Kane County levied $54,331,006 in property taxes for the 2010 (payable 2011) year.

How much is that per household? The median Kane County household paid $249 in property tax to fund County government.

My property tax bill was a lot higher than $249; what makes up the difference? By state law, Kane county must also collect and distribute property tax levies of every other local government.

So what was Kane County's share of the property taxes levied in the County? Kane County accounted for 4.75% of all the taxes levied countywide. In simple terms, Kane County keeps less than a nickel of every property tax dollar paid.

Last month we provided you with a chart that shows how the County's percentage of total property taxes has decreased over the years. That means that while other taxing bodies have increased their percentages, the County has been able to decrease theirs.

Kane-only Judicial Circuit in Dec. 2012

Kane County will become its own Judicial Circuit in December,2012. Gov. Quinn signed into law a bill that will break up the existing tri-county Circuit,comprised of Kane,DeKalb and Kendall Counties,leaving Kane alone in the 16th Circuit and creating the 23rd Judicial Circuit for DeKalb and Kendall Counties. Public Act 97-585 will take effect Dec. 3,2012. Senate Bill 63, which included the split, was signed into law Aug. 26.

The December 2012 effective date is timed to include the next election cycle for Illinois circuit judges. Chief Judge F. Keith Brown said the change was requested largely because of the population and caseload differences among the 16th Circuit's three counties. DeKalb and Kendall Counties have fewer than 250,000 residents combined,in contrast to Kane's population, which has risen to more than 500,000. Roughly two-thirds of the tri-county Circuit's 17 judges are based on Kane County.

County Recognizes Hispanic Heritage

In recognition of September as "Hispanic Heritage Month," the Kane County Board adopted a resolution that reflected upon "the contribution of Hispanic Americans in this county in the areas of Arts, Sciences, Politics, Education, Culture and law."

Listed among the county's "exceptional Hispanic Americans" are the late Under Sheriff Pete Perez,an Aurora police officer and the first Latino to play for the Chicago Bears;Hector Jordon, Aurora's first Hispanic police officer; the Hon. Manny Barbosa,founder of Club Guadalupano scholarship fund and currently a Federal Judge;Jaime Garcia, educator and co-founder of Centro de Informacion;Cip Siete, Elgin's first Hispanic police officer;Sheriff Pat Perez, Kane County's first Latino sheriff;state Rep. Linda Chapa-LaVia, first Hispanic state representative in Kane County; Lupe "Mary" Camacho, one of the first Hispanic families to settle in Elgin;the late Aurelio Aviles, a Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient; Art Lomas,Army veteran and Post 84 honor guard;and Mary Lou Chapa, who opened the first Hispanic real estate office in Aurora.

Farm Bureau in Search of Ag Artifacts The Kane County Farm Bureau,formed on December 31,1912, is preparing to celebrate its 100th Anniversary. In anticipation of this milestone, the Bureau is searching for artifacts chronicling the rich agricultural history of Kane County. Items may include photographs, brochures,signs,newspaper articles,collectibles and keepsakes. Contact the Kane County Farm Bureau at 630-584-8660 or info@kanecfb.com.	Employee Receives Bright Idea Award Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) employee Mary Philips is this year's recipient of county government's Bright Idea Award. She was recognized by the County Board Aug. 9 for having submitted the best cost-saving suggestion by a county employee this year. Read more
Green Buildings LEED by Example Some of the greenest buildings in Kane County aren't green at all - on the surface,at least. When measured for energy efficiency and conservation, however,they're green to the core,as members of the County Board's Energy and Environmental Committee who have toured them recently can attest. Read more	"A Time To Remember. A Time To Prepare" September marked the 8th Annual National Preparedness Month,a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Read more
Kane Annual Tax Sale on Oct. 24 & 25 Kane County will hold its annual Tax Sale on Monday and Tuesday, October 24 and 25. The Tax Sale will start at 9 a.m. each day in the Kane County Government Center,719 S. Batavia Ave., in Geneva. Read more	Board Salutes ICA Scholarship Winner The Kane County Board adopted a congratulatory resolution in August recognizing a recent graduate of West Aurora High School for having been named the winner of one of ten, $2,000 college scholarships awarded annually by the Illinois Counties Association (ICA).   Read more