Healy Offers Help on Property Tax Relief

Editor’s Note—This is the second story in a two part series on property taxes in West Deerfield Township.

Help is available for people who want to reduce their property taxes and the place to start is with .

Since there’s only 30 days to file an appeal, taxpayers must respond by Nov. 28. And usually their first stop is at Healy’s West Deerfield Township office to pick up the necessary appeal. The paperwork can also be downloaded at www.lakecountyil.gov/boardofreview. 

“We have had a flood of calls in recent years complaining about rising property tax assessments and many who have appealed to the County Board of Review,” Healy said. “However, this year is starting off rather slowly because property values have generally been declining in this recessionary economy.” 

Healy said on average he usually receives about 1,500 appeals, but this has been growing significantly in recent years because of rising tax rates, yet reductions in some housing values. 

“No one should pay more in property taxes than their fair share,” he said. 

Healy strongly encourages property owners to save on their taxes by taking advantage of the several state property tax exemptions.

These exemptions include a $6,000 general homestead exemption deduction, a $4,000 senior homestead exemption, a senior assessment freeze if total household income is under $55,000, a senior tax deferral loan at six percent interest, as well as disabled, home improvement and veterans exemptions. Further details on these exemptions are available through the township office. 

Chief County Assessment Officer Marty Paulson, who has the final authority in adjudicating appeal petitions through a Board of Review, says the volume of appeals throughout the county has grown four-fold over the past few years.

As a result, his office recently made changes in its tax appeals review process that now allows cases to be settled without appearing personally before the Board of Review in Waukegan. 

Healy says this is a particularly nice convenience for those of us who live in West Deerfield Township. 

How did Healy become an Assessor? He said he is a life-long native of Deerfield, and he and his wife Jeanne, along with their four children just love the Village of Deerfield. 

“I was a real estate broker here for 23 years, but have had a longtime interest in being an Assessor,” Healy said. “I studied for it and successfully passed the Illinois Certified Assessor’s Officer examination.  When former Township Assessor Steve Stanger decided to retire in 2009 I campaigned for his position and fortunately was elected.” 

Tom is both active professionally a well as in the community. He is currently serving as the Education Chairman of the Lake County Assessors Association and is a member of the Deerfield Rotary Club. 

In spite of constantly being in the public spotlight, Healy enjoys the challenges of his job and his association with his two office staff-mates: Joe Bordenave, who has been employed in the Assessor’s office for 25 years, and Mary Wiegold for the past ten years.