By: Realtor.com
The dog days of summer are barking and Labor Day is just around the bend, signaling the end of yet another epic season in the sun. But before you give your flamingo pool float one last hurrah, take a break with some home maintenance prep for the changing season ahead.
We know what you’re thinking: It’s still summer, and you’re being a buzzkill! Why worry now about what you can do next month? Well, as it turns out, some home maintenance tasks are best tackled in August, before temperatures start dipping.
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
By: Charlotte Rotkis, Illinois Policy, July 25, 2025
Illinois just ranked as having the highest property tax rate in the country. Property taxes in Illinois are an especially heavy burden without the tradeoff seen in states such as Texas or New Hampshire, where there are either no sales taxes or income taxes.
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
Written by Ron Kingsley
LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
In general, I have found that Lake County Appeal's clients are aware of one of the two most common grounds for property tax appeals in Lake County: one based on comparables sales ("comparable sales appeals"), and one based on equality of assessment ("uniformity of assessment appeals"). However, they are often unaware that either (or both) can be grounds for a property tax appeal.
Comparable Sales Appeals
By: JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star
June 29, 2025
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said enacting property tax relief across the state is a legislative priority as he seeks a third term in office.
Pritzker said during a campaign stop in East Peoria that property tax reform is big in his purview.
By: Laura Gaskill, Houzz
Fireworks, swimming and clambakes. With summer in full swing, the month of July can seem to zip by. Make the most of your month with these to-dos.
1. Clean porch lights. If you have glass light fixtures that are easily removed, bring them inside and wash in a dishpan of warm water with gentle soap. If the fixtures must stay in place, turn the power off and carefully wipe the exteriors with a damp microfiber cloth; dry with a soft cloth. When finished, change lightbulbs as needed.
By Giulia Carbonaro, Newsweek
Rising property taxes over the past five years have exacerbated American homeowners' housing affordability struggles, with many reporting that they are now paying much more than they initially budgeted for them.
According to a new survey by property tax appeal service Ownwell, 66 percent of homeowners in the U.S. say their bill is higher than they budgeted for, while three in four (74 percent) are worried about paying even more in the near future.
By Ron Kingsley – Lake County Appeal, Tax Attorney and Owner
If Lake County Appeal can reduce your Lake County property’s assessed value, your property tax burden will decrease. Additionally, there are many exemptions available to taxpayers that can reduce the burden even more. Make certain that you are receiving all of those you are entitled to! The value of the exemption is the exemption amount multiplied by your tax rate, which is on your tax bill.
General Homestead Exemption:
Lowers your principal residence’s assessed value (“AV”) by $8,000;