Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
A small group of Sun City residents recently demonstrated this by having Kane County tax officials explain the reasons for the large real estate tax increases seen this year in Sun City and to explain how this situation will be remedied.
This group, known as the Property Tax Action Group [P-TAG], intends to continue its service to the community. Among other goals, the group will assist Sun City property owners in various aspects of their assessments so that the resulting real estate taxes are equitable and fair. Due to the 30-day appeal period following publication of an assessment, timing of action is important.
Other goals of the group are to monitor tax levies, educate about the assessment-tax process, and develop and maintain working relationships with state legislators as well as township and county property tax-related officials in Kane and McHenry. Some of these goals will remain only aspirational unless the membership becomes sufficiently large.
To help accomplish these goals, P-TAG asks residents knowledgeable about assessments, appeals, and taxes to join its efforts.
P-TAG is still in the early stages of forming an organizational structure, which is to be defined in the near future. If you wish to be part of this process, contact Ron Ghilardi (847-659-1736, gilifam@comcast.net). P-TAG also has (under construction) a location as a special interest group on the Sun City website. P-TAG is a work in progress.
Up to this point, P-TAG members have covered their out-of-pocket expenses. If you wish to help defray their expenses, contact Dave Ruby (847-669-2215, daver@foxvalley.net), who will explain the methods of contributions. It may become necessary to raise funds for legal assistance in the 2011 cycle of assessments/taxes. Anticipating potential concerns by contributors, P-TAG has committed itself to donating any residual monies to charities, if, for example, the group were to disband.
When the petition for apportionment of the 2010 taxes was being circulated, P-TAG members were often asked how they might help. This news item presents such options. Once more: if you have interest and skills required for this effort, please join the cause.
