The Iroquois County Board (Tuesday) voted to approve a tax levy that represents a 13.7% increase over last year. The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes levied are at $5,936,858.  Board Chairman John Shure explains the bottom line has to be met …

"None of us like doing this, but it's a by-product of a situation we encountered this year -- part of is the way the health department requested its levy while the other part is the increase in the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV)."  Home values have increased dramatically in the last year.  Shure said we have concern about what we’ll receive in revenues with the economy as it is…

"In order for us meet our budget obligations for the citizens interests, law enforcement and highway maintenance, the hike is necessary," Shure said. .  a:20 (so forth) # 65

The effects of the levy is way more than just the county government portion. School districts and other bodies of gov’t make up 70% of the property tax bills. And the EAV (Equalized Assessed Value) poses the same concern for those units of government too.

94.1 WGFA