Rockford taxes (Illinois) (Chicago, Loves Park, Roscoe: credit, real estate, apartments)

[exberwynite]

We live in Rockford, Illinois. Our taxes seem to go up about $200 a year. This year, the entire city had their assessments evaluated and from my understanding, a new formula is being used.

Because of this, the homes in Rockford will generally have an increase in property values. From my understanding, our assessed value has increased over $10K, which will increase our taxes from $5300 to $5950. this year.

This is absurd, since no one in their right mind will pay $6,000 to live in a house like mine. We plan to move. Before we do that, we have made an appeal and are awaiting a hearing.

We've been told that Rockford has 'pockets' and these 'pockets' are assessed differently... there's also incorporated and unincorporated areas, which I understand, I don't understand these 'pockets' however.

Rockford is divided more less into 2 sections, East and West. East, being more desirable, less crime, newer. We are on the far east side. Because of this, our tax rate is different than the homes on the West side. It's Rockford... east, west, north, south... it's ONE town and should be taxed that way.

Problem: Because of Rockfords school lawsuit years ago, kids are bussed all over the city. Homes that are in surrounding areas (Loves Park, Machesney, Caledonia, Roscoe) all have a portion of their homes going to Rockford schools. These towns have lower tax rates than Rockford, if they have a Loves Park address, they should be going to Loves Park schools. It's not unheard of for elementary aged kids to be on a bus for 30 minutes.

Can someone explain to me how this can be legal, that a city (within city limits also) can charge different rates according to which side of town you live on? What am I getting that the other side is not getting? We do NOT get better policing on our streets (we'd be lucky to see a cop car down our block one a week), the snow isn't plowed by the city (it's contracted out and often takes over 24 hours before we see a plow), we have theft on our street (mainly car breakins and knocking down mailboxes). The schools here are not great, that is for sure. How is it that families can live in Loves Park or another town and be bussed to Rockford schools? Our schools are already filled. Often times, kids don't even get their choice of neighborhood schools!

My home was assessed for $187K for this year. It will NOT sell for that amount, maybe $174K... maybe and don't forget real estate fees and closing costs. Who's going to buy a house for $174K and be willing to pay $6,000 in taxes and NOT be assured to get in the public school they live closest to?

How can this be acceptable or even legal??????? Is this normal in towns of over 100,000 people? DON'T MOVE TO ROCKFORD. Your home will not increase in value like surrounding neighborhoods, the schools are not desirable, the land developers seem to make all the rules and when businesses move into the area, they get tax credits, so everyone else gets to pay for their taxes.

[FormerStocktonian]

If you read my past post about Rockford, you can see how I feel about. I myself am trying to get out of Rockford. You are correct in that the police department here absolutley sucks and our streets are never plowed.

In any case, cities are allowed to set different tax adjustments compared to where you live. This is how it was done in Stockton, CA, where I was born and raised. The new, nicer parts of town have a higher tax than that of the part of the city where it's not so desirable. Not sure how they figure, but they do by some formula, not sure what that is either. Maybe it's based on the value of the home and surrounding area?

I know how upset you feel about this situation. My suggestion is, if you can, move out of Rockford as I am trying to do. Schools here do are not the best and our police could be so much better. I don't see where our tax dollars are going because I haven't seen any improvement at all since I have lived here.

[Avengerfire]

Try figuring out the Chicago property value taxes and you really will have your head in a tailspin. Many,many,many towns do this and I dont think even their own employees know how a houses value is determined.

[FormerStocktonian]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Try figuring out the Chicago property value taxes and you really will have your head in a tailspin. Many,many,many towns do this and I dont think even their own employees know how a houses value is determined.

LOL! Yeah, that's totally true. And they get so far behind on sending out the tax bills. It's a tricky system.

[quitaboo81]

I am wondering how is living in the mulford apartments is like. Is the crime rate bad there? I believe it is on the east side of Rockford. I currently live in Iowa.