Townships a Target of Consolidation Proponents

Property tax math can be a little intimidating on the assessment side, with its “coefficient of dispersions” and vertical equity component of the uniformity something-something.

But when it comes to the government agencies that are funded by the proceeds, it’s an equation that taxpayers understand intuitively: more government means more taxes.

Illinois taxpayers are not so different from their counterparts across the rest of the country in their grievances along these lines. But they hold the title when it comes to the number of taxing bodies on the payroll.

Critics Say Illinois Government Could Stand Some Pruning

There are 6,963 units of government in Illinois, outnumbering even the four states with a greater population.

That’s expensive, and it has put some of those agencies in the crosshairs of reformers calling for consolidation. Townships, the government bodies that help oversee the property tax assessment process in Illinois, in addition to responsibility for road maintenance in unincorporated areas and a few other functions, are at the top of the list. There are 1,428 of them doing what critics say is work that can more efficiently be returned to cities and counties.

Townships have their defenders too, and various proposals to get rid of townships over the years have not gone far. In rural counties, supporters says, township officials provide a much needed local link to government assistance. This year however, brought some new momentum to the anti-township effort, with legislation nearing the finish line in Springfield that would make it easier for some taxpayers to abolish their townships and road districts.

Are You Paying Too Much in Property Taxes?

While government consolidation supporters in Illinois may be gaining a little ground, it’s just as important for you to protect your piece of the map by making sure that the amount you have to pay to support the agencies on your bill is not inflated by an unfair assessment.

The only way to be sure that you’re not paying more than your fair share is to appeal your assessment. An appeal ensures that your assessment is thoroughly evaluated against a set of comparably situated properties. At Kensington, we have decades of experience in property tax matters and a proprietary algorithm that we use to identify the properties that make the strongest case for reducing your assessment. If you don’t have a strong case for appeal, we’ll tell you so. But if you do, we may be able to help you save thousands of dollars a year, protecting the value of your most important investment.

Free Property Tax Analysis

If you think you may be paying too much in property taxes, give us a call or click on the link below. We will do a free analysis of your tax bill. If there is a case to be made for a significant reduction and we assist in your appeal, you pay nothing unless you win.
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