Why No Tax Revolution?

I was off and running on one of my favorite crusades this week - abandoned vehicles on residential properties in Woodstock. For weeks (months?) I have driven by a black four-door sedan pulled up close to the street at 1915 N. Seminary. Naturally, it has recently been covered (and I do mean "covered") with snow, as further proof that it is unused, stored, probably inoperable. This vehicle has a For Sale sign on it which, of course, is not visible when snow covers the car.

Another contact with Code Enforcement in Woodstock elicited the information that the property owner plans to have the stored vehicles (there are also three trucks there) towed, starting on Monday.

This prompted me to wonder about the amount of property taxes there and whether they might contribute to any rapid turn-over of tenants. Tax bills are public record and a quick search on co.mchenry.il.us uncovered the 2007 Tax Bill: a whopping $8,565.20!!!! In other words, of whatever rent the landlord might collect, he parts with $714/month of it just for taxes!

And, if he doesn't collect any rent because the tenant skips out or has to be evicted, the property owner still parts with $714/month!

Taxes pay for services. Are you over-serviced? Dig out your tax bill and run the numbers.

Over $4,600/year goes to District 200. Woodstock Fire/Rescue District gets almost half as much as the entire City of Woodstock.

Did you contest your tax bill this past year?