Township Assessor
The Township Assessor is elected to a four-year term. The Assessor establishes and maintains a property valuation system that fairly and equitably distributes the revenue (dollars approved through the levying process) required to operate the local governments among the township property owners. The Township Assessor determines the assessed value of property, both land and buildings with the exception of farmland, within the boundaries of the specific township. In Illinois, the statutory level of assessments is one-third of market value.
The Township Assessor is responsible for discovering/identifying, listing and determining the fair cash value of most property within the jurisdiction. All property is valued and assessed as of January 1 of the tax year. Establishing equitable assessments among like properties is a critical aspect of the assessor’s role. This will insure that all township property owners are afforded their constitutional right to equal treatment and equal taxation under the law.
The assessed valuation of real estate will determine the tax burden that is created by the taxing bodies which include schools, counties, townships and municipalities.
This process is complex and may create questions. Please contact this office with any questions that you have. You may contact John Killeen via email at chemungassessor@gmail.com or telephone at 815-943-8456.
Respectfully,
John Killeen
Certified Illinois Assessing Officer
Chemung Township Assessor
John Killeen
Certified Illinois Assessing Officer
Chemung Township Assessor
Property Tax Bill Questions - Who to Call:
Information on who to call for property tax bill questions: Refer to the back of your tax bill. This will show you who to call depending on the question(s) you have:
Chemung Township Assessor: Phone: 815-943-8456 Email: chemungassessor@gmail.com
Information on Assessment Appeals
SHOULD I FILE AN ASSESSMENT APPEAL ON MY PROPERTY?
You should consider filing an appeal if:
- You feel that you could not have sold your property for the Fair Cash Value listed on the current Tax Bill on January 1 of the tax bill year.
- You feel that your assessment is too high
- You have discussed your assessment with the Assessor and you still feel that you can support an argument that you are over assessed.
- You have evidence that similar properties have sold (the “ideal” sales window is July of the previous year thru June of the current year – 12 months) via representative transaction of the market for less than your property is valued. This is known as the Market Approach/Basis for an appeal. A minimum of three comparable sales are recommended.
- You have an appraisal from a certified appraiser with a date of valuation of January 1 of the current year or within 6 months either side of January 1 of that year.
- You can show that similar properties in the immediate area/neighborhood are valued/assessed lower than you property. This is known as the Equity Approach/Basis for an appeal.
- The burden of providing evidence is the responsibility of the tax payer.
- You may appeal your assessment on both a market and equity approach. See our Helpful Links above that will direct you to the appropriate forms.
- Go to the County Assessments Department to learn more and to get the forms necessary for filing an appeal.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE FILING AN APPEAL ON YOUR ASSESSED VALUE, NOT YOUR TAXES! YOU CAN NOT APPEAL YOUR TAXES THROUGH THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE.