Henry: DuPage County property owners can expect higher tax bill

Issues guide to variety of options for payment

Property owners in DuPage County recently received their 2016 property tax bills. As many might already know that while the average tax rate is down 4.94 percent, the average bill has increased.

DuPage County Treasurer Gwen Henry released the following statement:

“This has been another challenging year for property owners in DuPage County. While the average tax rate decreased by 1.76 percent, the average tax bill increased by 2.52 percent.

“I suspect that many, if not all taxpayers, will be asking how their tax bills can increase when the tax rate decreased. The answer can be found in the fact that the assessed property values have increased by an average of 6.7 percent in DuPage County, the second year in a row for an increase.

“While I know no one will be happy with this news, please know my office as well as the offices of the County Clerk and Township Assessors are acutely aware of the challenges taxpayers are facing. I want to assure you that we will continue to do our best to serve you.

“In that vein, I want taxpayers to be aware that included with their bill is a guide containing valuable information to know as you prepare to pay property taxes for the 2016 tax year. The guide provides answers to frequently asked questions concerning your property tax bill. It also offers information on a variety of options for paying your tax bill as well as important contact information and a tax year calendar of events.

“Additionally, I want to encourage everyone, especially seniors, to carefully check your bill to ensure you are receiving every appropriate property tax exemption.”

Henry also noted that the largest tax bill in DuPage County was $3,269,355.22 and the smallest was $10.86.

“I also think residents would be interested to learn that five railroads pay a total of $3,542,648.34 for their property in DuPage County,” she said.

For more information, residents are urged to contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s office at 630 407 5900 or online at treasurer.dupageco.org.