By Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens
When it comes to selling your house, curb appeal is touted as one of the most important features for drawing in potential buyers. But before you rush out to your front yard and spend hundreds or thousands on unnecessary upgrades, listen to the experts.
by: John Clark
Illinois Capital News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — In an effort to combat population loss attributed to the state having the second-highest property taxes in the United States, an Illinois legislator has introduced a bill that would eliminate property taxes for those who have owned a home for 30 years.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois’ population has declined for 10 consecutive years, with a loss of 32,826 residents from July 2022 to July 2023.
By: Patrick Andriesen,
Illinois Policy, March 2025
Illinois families will pay the second-highest property tax rate in the nation in 2025, spending more than double what the average American family will spend to stay in the same home. That’s driving Illinoisans away.
The average American family will spend $2,969 on property taxes for the average home in 2025, but the average Illinois family will spend $6,285 on it, according to a new report.
By Ron Kingsley – Lake County Appeal, Tax Attorney and Owner - May 2025
The Chief County Assessment Office is responsible for assessing your property. The assessment should be the fair market value (what the county believes you could have sold your property for on January 1, 2025) multiplied by .3333 (for all Illinois counties besides Cook). 2025 is the third year in the assessment cycle for Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane and the other Illinois counties besides Cook. Barring significant changes to your property, the assessor will make township level adjustments only.
Written by Ron Kingsley
LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
Many residential and commercial property owners were shocked by recent increases in property tax bills. One of the reasons for the increases is that many properties’ assessed values were raised because of the booming housing market, resulting in increases in property taxes owed. The other reason is the higher-than-usual 2023 inflation rate.
Property Tax Bill Mechanics
Written by Ron Kingsley
LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
My Journal Courier
By Mark Glennon
If only somebody had good news about property taxes, which have long been a hot button issue in Illinois. But the news is now worse. More importantly, nothing indicates relief will come.
Illinois now edges out New Jersey for the highest effective property tax rates in the nation. That’s according to a report this month by Attom Data Solutions, a leading source on the topic.
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
In general, I have found that Lake County Appeal's clients are aware of at least 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
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner