County Assessor Opens 2021 Appeals— New Trier Township Scheduled for Late May

Given how the pandemic and township hall fire have disrupted “business as usual” for us, property owners can help us by expressing their desire to file an appeal as soon as possible. We can help you prepare your appeal now (comps, sales reviews, etc.) even though you cannot file it until we have the official dates.

A note for anyone who received a reduction from the Board of Review based on an incorrect property description (square footage, classification, etc.): You MUST notify the County Assessor of the change during our Appeal Window. ONLY THE COUNTY ASSESSOR CAN MAKE PERMANENT CHANGES TO YOUR PROPERTY INFORMATION. The BOR’s reduction is valid for the 2020 Appeal ONLY, and your description in the County Assessor’s records will not be changed until you ask the County Assessor to do so.

During the township hall closure, you can reach our office at (847)446-8200, or via email: jchurchwell@newtriertownship.com or  lshifflett@newtriertownship.com. If you email us, please include a phone number and your address.

Please share this information with relatives, friends, and neighbors. We aren’t working face-to-face yet, but don’t want people without email to be overlooked. The Assessor’s office will make arrangements to meet with property owners on an individual basis if needed. Your help during these challenging times is greatly appreciated.

REMOTE SUPPORT DURING FIRE RELATED BUILDING CLOSURE

Because of the fire at the New Trier Township building, it is even more "closed" than it was before the fire at the end of March, because now it's closed to the staff too, not just the public.

Presently, the telephone system has been rigged to reach us remotely.  Dial our regular number (847)446-8200 and follow the prompts. 

No Renewal Requirement For Property Tax Exemptions This Year

Taxpayers who received property tax exemptions last year will not have to renew them this year thanks to a special pandemic-driven law.  Ordinarily, senior citizens eligible for the Senior Freeze have to renew their exemptions annually, as do people receiving disability exemptions.  This year, however, it will not be necessary to renew these and other property tax exemptions. 

The state legislature voted not to require tens of thousands of taxpayers to send renewal forms to government offices during the pandemic. Instead, for this year only, the Senior Freeze, Disabled Veteran and Disabled Person exemptions will be automatically renewed.  Also, auto-renewal of Homeowner and Senior Exemptions already in effect before the pandemic will continue.

What if I received an exemption last year but my eligibility has changed?  

In that case you need to contact the offices of the township or county assessor to ensure that you receive the correct exemption.  Those people most likely to need to do this are senior citizens with household income below the $65,000 eligibility threshold in prior years whose income is now above the threshold and disabled veterans whose level of disability changed compared to a prior year.  

What if I became eligible for an exemption last year?  

People who purchased homes in 2019 should receive Homeowner Exemption applications in the mail for tax year 2020 (payable in 2021), but other taxpayers (e.g., people who turned 65 in 2020 or became newly eligible for a disability exemption or the Senior Freeze) will still need to apply using the appropriate annual application form(s). The application deadline is March 31, 2021.

What are the eligibility requirements for senior exemptions this year?  Residents born in 1955 and earlier who used their New Trier Township home as a principal residence in 2020 are eligible for the Senior Citizen Exemption.

The Senior Freeze Exemption provides additional tax savings for low- to moderate-income seniors. To be eligible this year, the combined income of all people in the senior’s household must have been less than $65,000 in calendar year 2019, and the senior must have been an owner-occupant of the property since January 1, 2019.  

All exemptions will appear on the second installment tax bills that will be mailed in the summer.

Due to the pandemic, the township offices remain closed to the public, but Assessor Jan Churchwell and Deputy Assessor Leonard Shifflett are available to assist Monday-Friday via phone at (847) 446 -8200 or email jchurchwell@newtriertownship.com or lshifflett@newtriertownship.com

Keep Up To Date Via The Dispatch eNewsletter

Every other Friday your township publishes a free electronic newsletter. Receive breaking Assessor news and information about events and learning opportunities. Simply visit our newsletter sign-up, provide your email and we do the rest.

Register For News Alerts
Also, if you are not registered to receive “News” alerts and “Calendar” updates from the Township Assessor’s office, go back to the homepage, click on “Notify Me” and sign up.  Many important real estate tax dates, such as times to appeal, change from year to year.  If you are signed up online with our office, you will be notified of these important dates.

Jan Churchwell, New Trier Township Assessor
                                                            

C0VID-19 UPDATE-TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSING-ASSESSOR’S OFFICE NEWS

Commencing Tuesday, March 17 the New Trier Assessor’s office will be closed to the public. During that period we will be taking calls during regular business hours at 847-446-8200.  You can always reach us via email:  jchurchwell@newtriertownship.comand lshifflett@newtriertownship.com.  

Stay well,

Jan Churchwell

New Trier Township Assessor