Relief again for McHenry County property taxpayers
McHenry County – Double proof the McHenry County Board has a heart for property taxpayers struggling in the world of COVID-19.
When the crushing punch of coronavirus hit both public health and the economy, some residents were sent reeling with how they’d pay their annual property taxes in McHenry County. Relief came in April when the McHenry County Board approved a 90-day waiver for the first installment. But McHenry County has two installments and the second one was just as worrisome as the first because conditions caused by coronavirus hadn’t really improved much in Illinois. The waiver’s end date of September 15 coincidentally fell on the due date of the second installment unless the county board would once again take action and delay payment for those still struggling. The question wasn’t really whether the county board would approve an extension. The question was whether the extension would be for 45-days or 90-days.
McHenry County Board member John Reinert of Crystal Lake brought the issue up in the Finance and Audit Committee on the question of a second installment waiver. Reinert, a member of the committee, felt the question had been off the radar.
“I brought my 45-day late fee deferment up with Chairman Mike Skala of Huntley and we put it on the agenda. We chose the 45-day deferment as the October 31 date worked within the timeline of the schedule of the ultimate tax sale on November 16 as in the statutory requirement,” Reinert said.
McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks of Marengo felt a 90-day waiver of late fees and interest for homeowners and businesses would be better.
“Many businesses have been able to reopen with restrictions, and Americans are returning to work, but McHenry County’s unemployment rate still stands at 10 percent. With a second round of federal stimulus funding appearing increasingly unlikely, it is vital that we enact a grace period for this second installment to give our overtaxed residents more time to get back on their feet,” Franks said.
Reinert said his reluctance from 45-to-90 days was the tax sale will now be moved back to February 2021.
He was concerned about the unintended consequences of taking it into the next fiscal year.
“Ultimately I am happy we were able to achieve a consensus on the 90-day deferment. We all felt the need to help the people of McHenry County most affected by the COVID shutdown,” Reinert said.
The first installment waiver ends on September 15 and property taxpayers who do not meet that deadline will be responsible for late fees and interest charged retroactively. The same will be said for missing the December 15 deadline for the second installment.
*The waiver does not apply to property owners whose taxes are paid through escrow.
Clock Illustration (Modified) – Vecteezy
