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Second Installment Due
Just a quick reminder that the second installment of your 2009 tax bill is due Wednesday, September 1, 2010. For those who have escrow accounts you may want to contact your mortgage company to make sure your taxes are paid on time.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Theresa Cockrell
Assessor
Darien Festival 2010
Hello all!
Darien Fest is coming up towards the end of the Summer and we at the Downers Grove Township wanted to let you know that we will be having an Information Booth at the fest. Come by and visit with some of the people that work for the Downers Grove Township and learn a little bit about what we do, at the Township, for you. We will be out at the fest at our booth on Saturday, September 11th from 12 – 6 pm and then again on Sunday, September 12th from 12 – 6 pm. So stop by and say hello to some of those that work for your local Township government.
Additionally, here is some information regarding some specifics about Darien Fest in general.
- Where: Darien Community Park (Plainfield Rd and Clarendon Hills Rd)
- Dates & Times: The fest starts on Friday, September 10th at 6 pm and runs until 10:30 pm. Saturday, September 11th the fest starts at 12 pm and runs until 10:30 pm. Sunday, September 12th the fest starts at 12 pm and runs until 9:30pm.
- Transportation: You can pick up a shuttle at the following locations that will drop you off at the Indian Prairie Public Library, which is across the street from the park.
- Jewel Osco – 75th Street & Cass Avenue
- Westwood Park – 75th Street & Fairview Avenue
- Chestnut Court – 75th & Lemont Road
- Darien Towne Center – 75th Street & Lyman
Lastly, there will also be a Food Drive being conducted at the Bingo tent. If you can spear any Non-Perishable food items, please lend a helping hand to those who may be in need.
And enjoy the fest!
Downers Grove Township
Assessment and Sale History
There have been a few changes in the assessment history of our Township. Here is an update on our Township’s assessment history:
The parcel count indicates higher density occurring in our Township; less rural land, more multiple-family dwellings. The assessed value has more than doubled! Certainly the market from 2000 through 2007 was booming, as indicated by the substantial increase in assessed value.
In 2008 we saw the market begin to slow down and decrease. Below is a study of the single-family house sales in our Township from 2005 through 2009:
The peak year was 2007, with the market in 2008 and 2009 declining. Comparing 2009 with 2007 there was a 16.85% decrease in the median sale price. There was an 18.47% decrease in the average sale price, in keeping with the national average.
(The national average as reported by the National Association of Realtors.)
As market values fall you may ask, “Why is my assessment not falling at the same rate?” The answer is in how the assessment process works in Illinois.
It is based on the prior three years of sales to assessment ratios to determine the current year’s assessment, which is governed by State Statute and by the Department of Revenue.
In 2008 our equalization factor, which is applied to all parcels within the Township’s boundaries, was 1.059. The three prior years were healthy market years and assessments needed to increase almost 6%. However, in 2009 Downers Grove Township’s equalization factor was 1.000, meaning the 2009 assessment was the same as 2008, unless there was a reassessment of a parcel for some reason. The three prior years indicated no increase or decrease was to be applied to assessments.
If your assessment was the same in 2008 and 2009, any increase in your tax bill was due solely to a greater demand from the some or all of the taxing bodies listed on your tax bill.
In 2010 the equalization factor is expected be a negative number, since the three-year mix is 2007, 2008 and 2009 sales to assessment ratios. It is estimated that the parcels in Downers Grove Township could decrease by about 5%. But will it decrease your tax bill? Again, that depends on the taxing bodies in your area.
No one is in a winning situation in this current economy but we will make every effort to continue to monitor the real estate market and do the best we can to insure appropriate and uniform assessments.
Theresa A. Cockrell – Assessor
Summer Office Hours
Public Notice – Summer Office Hours
Starting July 6, 2010 to September 3, 2010 our new office hours will be 8 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Thursday and Fridays 8 am – 12:30 pm.
Employment – Clerk
General Description
A part-time hourly position is available as a Clerk at the Assessor’s Office. You will be taught the property assessment process and exemptions available to the property owners of Downers Grove Township.
Responsibilities
This employee will:
• assist property owners in completing the appropriate exemption forms based on qualifications
• be responsible for assisting property owners one on one with assessment complaints
• be responsible for answering calls and assisting property owners with assessment related questions
• be responsible for assessment calculations and related projects
Qualifications
An Associates degree or higher is preferred. Good handwriting, math aptitude, and computer data entry experience a necessity. Knowledge of a number filing systems a plus. Good communication skills and the ability to multitask and work under pressure.
Supervision
The employee will report to the Chief Deputy Assessor and Office Manager.
Salary/Compensation
The hourly rate will be based on experience and demonstrated skills. This is a part-time position, which does not offer a health plan.
Hours
This position is part-time Monday-Friday from 9 am – 2 pm. No paid holidays.
Interviews
Interviews will begin on August 1, 2010, please submit the application, resume and references by Wednesday, July 28, 2010.
To Apply
Download the Employment Application (PDF format), contact Susan Sheldon at (630) 719-6633 to have an application sent to you or you may fill out the application at our office.
Please submit your application, current resume and references to our office via:
• Email to info@dgtao.com
• Mail to Downers Grove Township, Attn: Susan Sheldon, 4340 Prince Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515
• Drop off to the mailing address listed above
Township Budget and Ordinance 2010-2011
Click the link to download the Township Budget and Ordinance 2010-2011.
Spring/Summer Township Newsletter
Click the link to download the Issue 6 – Spring/Summer Newsletter 2010.
First Installment Due
Just a quick reminder that the first installment of your 2009 tax bill is due June 1, 2010. For those who have escrow accounts you may want to contact your mortgage company to make sure your taxes are paid on time.
Have a nice summer!
Theresa Cockrell
Assessor
2009 Tax Bills
The 2009 tax bills have been mailed by the DuPage County Treasurer. Tax bill payments are due June 1, 2010 and September 1, 2010. The assessed values and tax bill amounts listed in the Parcel Search reflect the final 2009 assessments and the 2009 tax rates and tax bill amounts.