• Downers Grove/Westmont Reporter – September 15, 2010

• Hinsdale Doings and Weekly Doings – September 16, 2010

• Clarendon Hills Doings – September 16, 2010

• Suburban Life Newspapers – September 17, 2010

Changed assessments are those that have experienced changes to the property, i.e., new construction, demolition or a reassessment for uniformity or market value purposes. If the parcel number you are searching out is not on the list, most likely that parcel’s assessment has only received the Supervisor of Assessment factor of 0.9421.

Once published in the newspapers, you may refer to our Parcel Search for the 2010 assessed value of all parcel numbers beginning with 09 or 10.

After publication, a property owner has 30 days to file an appeal with the DuPage County Board of Review. The deadline for filing a appeal is October 18, 2010; mailed appeals must be post-marked on or before the deadline.

Appeal forms may be downloaded from the Supervisor of Assessments and Board of Review website.

Please be patient with us! There are over 58,000 parcels in Downers Grove Township. During this time we receive 100’s of phone calls and emails. It may take our office time respond to your inquiries due to our limited staff. Please know, however, we are more than willing to assist you and, if possible, resolve matters at the Township level to save you the time and expense of a formal hearing before the Board of Review.

Flu vaccines will be given by Walgreens pharmacists and will cost $29.99.

The 2010-2011 vaccine provides protection against A/H1N1 (pandemic) influenza and two other influenza viruses – influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B. It will not prevent illness caused by other viruses. View the 2010-2011 Vaccine Information Sheet. Information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vaccines are FREE for patients who have Medicare Part B. Bring your Medicare Part B card. Currently, Walgreens is able to bill certain major medical plans such as Blue Cross and Cigna.

For more information, please contact the Township office at (630) 719-6610 or email us at info@dgtownship.com.

Frank Wurster
Supervisor
Email: frank.wurster@dgtownship.com
Phone: (630) 719-6610
Fax: (630) 719-6608

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Theresa Cockrell
Assessor

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

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.

Theresa A. Cockrell – Assessor

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.