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I SECTION 2 PAGE 2 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21,1879 introduce Assessment Reform Bill ( couid You Sur^veFI u,ility Bllls Key To State Representatives Cal Skinner, Jr. (R-McHenry county) and Fred Schraeder (D-Peoria county) have jointly introduced legislation to reform the real estate tax assessment system. "If comprehensive ad­ ministrative reform legislation can't be enacted in this year following Proposition 13,1 don't believe reform is possible in Illinois," Skinner said. "If home owners knew how really bad real estate assessments are in most of Illinois, I beleive the property tax might be abolished. Cer­ tainly, a good case can be made to abolish the real estate tax because it is now so unfair. "In only 6 percent of Illinois' over 1,400 townships can home owners be assured that they are being assessed relatively fairly," Skinner stated. His definition of "relatively fairly" is that the assessor's margin of error is 20 percent or less. "A margin of error of 20 percent is difficult for most people to comprehend, so let me offer a sales tax analogy," Skinner continued. "We have 5 percent sales tax. Assume three people each bought $100 worth of groceries. Title first would pay $4 sales tax, the second $5 and the third $6. The state would be satisfied because it had collected $15 in sales tax (5 percent of the $300 worth of groceries purchased). It is doubtful, however, that the person paying $5 or the one paying $6 in sales tax would be too happy in view of the tax break given the first purchaser. Real estate assessments in only 6 percent of the state's town­ ships are that fair or better. In the rest of Illinois, assessments on homes are worse -- sometimes much, much worse - - or it is impossible to tell how good or bad they are because the township is too small to generate statistical data," Skinner explained. • To improve the assessment system to the point where home owners will be eventually assured of minimal fairness, Skinner says the passage of three proposals is essential. 1) Allow no local assessor to be elected from a jurisdiction of less than 1,000 people. In 1970, half of the townships in the state were smaller. The township boards of these small townships would agree on a multi-township area with a minimum of 1,000 people in which a multi-township assessor would be elected starting in 1981. 2) Require pre-election qualifications for assessors in townships with more than 5,000 people. Assessors in smaller jurisdictions would have one year after taking office to successfully complete a short course in the basic principles and practices of property assessment. 3) Most important, House Bill 777 provides for performance standards for elected township and multi-township assessors. It mandates the Department of Local Government Affairs to set margins of error in the assessment of homes that shall not be worse than 50 percent nor better than 10 percent. These standards would be promulgated prior to an assessor's taking office. Failure to meet these stan­ dards of uniformity in three years would make the township assessor ineligible to run for reelection. These standards would be proposed by the department and reviewed by an Assessing Standards Review board consisting of five members who are township assessors or supervisors of assessment. Any changes suggested by that board which are unacceptable to the Department would be referred^ to a permapefit Jomt Propert Tax Legislative Advisory committee which would review the differences and make recommendations. As an ad­ ditional safeguard against the setting of an arbitrary and indefensible performance standard, any township assessor who failed to meet the standard of uniformity set by the department would have recourse to the courts under the Administrative Review act. Commenting on the proposed 1,000 person minimum sized assessment jurisdiction, Skinner said, "It is definitely not my intention to begin the destruction of township government by requiring multi- township assessors. Two-thirds of the townships in Illinois are simply too small to allow a home owner or an outside observer to know if the assessor is doing an excellent, poor or rotten job. In short, the per­ formance of township assessors in the state's smallest town­ ships can't be judged. Knowing how well 'the tax man' is doing his job seems to be an absolute necessity to. obtain a fair property tax system. "Pre-election qualifications are what most property tax reformers think will 'solve' the problem of inequitable assessments," Skinner con­ tinued. "Being qualified to do a job, however, does not guarantee that one will do it well. Nevertheless, since there is virtually no possibility that an unqualified assessor can assess properly, I believe the imposition of pre-election qualifications is necessary. "Performance standards with teeth are what is needed to make sure assessors do an acceptable job. My hope is that the department will tighten the performance standards every four years until Illinois can boast of having the most uniform real estate assessments in the world. Certainly, a margin of error of 50 percent is nothing to brag about. Using my 'sales tax analogy where three people each purchase $100 worth of groceries, the first would pay only $2.50 in sales tax, the second $5, while the third would be forced to pay $7.50. That is how bad real estate assessments are in a township with a margin of error of 50 percent. In my opinion, any margin of error over 20 percent unacceptable. The upper limit of 50 percent expressed in House Bill\777 is a concession I believe necessary to establish the concept of a performance standard. If adopted, the legislation will set in motion an assessment system that will allow Illinois to move closer and closer to the goal of uniform assessments." Skinner's bill is aimed primarily at improving township assessments. It would, however, make two significant changes at the county level. First, it would give the supervisor of assessments the power to set township multipliers, subject to approval or modification by the county board of review. (Now, the county board of review sets township * multipliers.) Secondly, it would mandate that all township multipliers be based on the most recent one year's assessment to sales ratio studies, rather than the three year average currently recommended by the Depart­ ment of Local Government Affairs. "It just doesn't make sense to determine taxes for home owners by using township multipliers based on outdated information. That just per­ petuates past inequities," he said. Skinner revealed that he has several other assessment reform bills being drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau, including one that would prohibit tax districts from getting windfall benefits from sky rocketing home prices. Church Involvement Day At MCC March 29 Ministers and lay people involved in local churches will gather at McHenry County college March 29 for an MCC Church Involvement day. The day of the workshop is designed to increase area churches awareness of MCC facilities and of stimulating development of community education programs of interest to the churches and their memberships. The day is co-sponsored by the Campus Ministry Advisory committee (made up of ministers and lay people from the local churches) and by the college. The day will begin with a luncheon featuring the Rev. Fred Hill, coordinator of the Lutheran campus ministry, as the<aiain speaker. Workshops 1 to 4 p.m. will cover topics sjich as career per- /es, models for campus ministry, servant leadership, conflict management, college- church possibilities, faith development for young adults and developing campus ministry for commuter students. Each participant will be able to attend two workshops and each workshop will be offered twice during the afternoon. For additional information on the involvement day telephone Peter Stuckey, at MCC's office of Community Services. WOODSTOCK (815) 338-1440 1230 DAVIS ROAD (BYPASS RT. 14 & 47) ACROSS FROM FARM & FLEET Hours: Monday A Friday 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a. You are planning a cross­ country ski trip with a friend. The area to be covered is a remote mountainous region that has no passable roads. Your total distance for the trip is fifty miles. Weather forecasts give a five-day outlook for fair skies and temperatures at or below zero. In preparation for this trip, WOULD YOU... A. Confine your plans and preparations to yourself and your companion. B. Seek out professional advice on preparation, but keep the essential details to yourself. C. Prepare for the trip by seeking out known professionals for advice on clothing and equipment necessary to insure your safety and enjoyment, arrange a deadline for completion, and establish emergency action to be taken in the event of bad weather and-or injury that could cause unforeseen delays. D. Take no action other than getting your skis and clothing together and starting out. The weather is fair, and the outlook is good. The trip can be made in a day. TO SURVIVE (C) is the proper action to take. Any time you plan to take a trip of this type, always contact the people who are acknowledged professionals in the activity. They will be able to provide you with definitive guidance on what the necessary preparations are to insure a safe and enjoyable excursion. (B) would be the same as (C) except the plans should be made known to someone close to you who will be aware of when to expect you home. Also, your plans, including the route of travel, should be made known to the local forestry or game management agency responsible for the area you intend to travel through. (A) and (D) provide totally unacceptable alternatives in the preparation of your trip. (A service of your local Air Force recruiter.) Family Energy History 4-H NEWS *8.88 Single Roll t *17.76 Double Roll SS. « If v *6.88 Single Roll >13.76 Double Roll *7.48 Single Roll *14.96 Double Roll These soft spring wallpapers will help put that long hard winter behind you. See them now on large display panels that give you a good idea of how they'll brighten up your walls You'll find 500 in stock, ready to take home. In eluded are a variety of budding florals; geo metrics in soft pastel or shiny foil; and tap estry designs on imported Novamura. We'll show you how easy it is to hang prepasted, washable and strippable vinyls. Some come with match ing fabrics. All at down earth prices. In double roll bolts 99C to $12.48 single roll H jjfr 12.48 Sinyle Roll *8.48 Single Roll >">• N' *12.72 I1 .Roll * 24.96 Double Roll V *8.88 Single Roll *17.76 Double Roll *7.48 Single Roll *14.96 Double Roll SSi *8.88 Sinqle Roll *13.32 I'. Roll I •RH ces effective thru Match 24 PLYWOOD MINNESOTA Rt 14 rVv Plywood Minnesota Warehou* Davis Rd LINCOLN CLOVERLEAFS The March meeting of the Lincoln Cloverleafs 4-H club was held at J.C. Bush school in Johnsburg. The meeting began with the pledges and the secretary's and treasurer's reports, followed by correspondence which was a letter from Mr. Smith, thanking us for the get-well cards we sent him. For old business, we talked about the club cookbook and asked people to bring in more recipes. For new business we discussed a rummage sale, which might be held in late April. Our leader gave us the an­ nouncement that Sue Malenius was going to Hollywood Cal., for the Easter Seal's Tele-thon. Sue is our club president. There was an announcement on the 4- H House at the University of Illinois, which is housing for 4- Hers attending school there. Announcements on all clinics and workshops such as Dog Obedience, Poultry Judging, Tractor Safety School, Horse Bowl Practice, Veterinary Science, Demonstration Workshop, Gardening, Meats, and others were given. We also discussed Share-the-Fun costumes, which are almofct finished. The meeting was then ad­ journed. The program began with Bev and Bobby Finkbeiner giving a demonstration on bandages and applying them. A talk was given by Debby Griggs about judging Kane county general projects demon­ stration, which she attended and helped judge. We then practiced Share-the- Fun and had refreshments. By Debby Griggs club reporter PLANT LAND... Inside the geodesic-domed Cli- matron at the Missouri Bo­ tanical Garden, a lush tropical rain forest blooms year-round. The popular St. Louis attraction also features America's largest traditional Japanese garden. Analyzing your monthly utility bills is the best way to discover how your home energy conservation habits help reduce fuel consumption, says Nancy Moore, University of Illinois Extension home economist. To analyze your bills, Ms. Moore recommends you chart kilowatt hour (kwh) and gas therm usage on two separate pieces of paper. List the years down the lefthand column and monthly usage across the top. Record your kwh or therm usage and cost according to month. You will easily be able to add the totals to determine your annual kwh or therm usage and fuel costs. To find out the price per kwh or therm, simply divide the total annual cost by the total number of kwh or therms used. This is an average cost figure and will not represent actual published block rates. After careful examination, you will be able to see not only how the energy crisis affects your fuel costs but how your conservation efforts pay off, continues Ms. Moore. For example, the owner of a ten- year old, 2400 square foot, ranch style home in central Illinois began saving his utility bills in 1972. After charting this information, he now knows that from 1972 to 1977 the family used about 15,000 kwh of electricity and 2,000 therms of gas annually. In the fall of 1977, the homeowner increased his attic insulation from six to 12 inches. He and his family also began to conserve energy at home. They turned off lights in unoccupied rooms, kept the thermostat setting a degree lower than previous winters and didn't use as much air conditioning in the summer. Compared to the previous five year average, they used 2,451 fewer kwh and 1,637 fewer gas therms. They saved $175. From 1972 to 1978, price per kwh increased from 2.33 to 4.02 cents and gas per therm in­ creased from 10.1 to 20.8 cents. Rates doubled, so more money was spent on gas and electricity in 1977-78 than during the previous five years. But because less energy was used, the utility bills didn't double. Your family can do the same thing. Knowing the words British thermal unit, therm and kilowatt-hour can mean savings to energy conserving homeowners, continues Ms. Moore. The therm is an energy measure used in selling natural gas. One therm is equal to 100,000 British thermal UQits (Btu). The Btu is the basic beat unit. One Btu is the heat required to warm one pound of water - one pint - one degree F. A Btu also is the amount of heat released by a burning wooden kitchen match. A Btu is a very small heat unit. The therm is a much larger measure but it still takes thousands of therms to heat a home for one season. One kilowatt-hour (kwh) registers on the meter when you use 1,000 watts of elec­ tricity for one hour. This is equivalent to operating ten 100- watt light bulbs for one hour or one 100-watt light bulb for ten hours. Your utility bills show you your total monthly therm and kwh usage. If you know how much energy each home ap­ pliance uses, you'll know where you're spending your money. For example, a gas forced-air furnace uses one-half kwh and one therm per hour. A 15-cubic- foot frost-free refrigerator uses about five kwh per day, whereas a manual defrost refrigerator the same size uses three kwh per day. An electric clothes dryer uses three kwh per load and a color TV one- third kwh per hour. In addition to understanding your bill, Moore advises keeping your utility bills for several years to see whether you are cutting energy use. If you start saving energy now, it will show in lower utility bills later. A fact sheet entitled "Estimated Cost of Energy" is available from the McHenry county Extension office. It lists forty home appliances with their estimated kwh or therms usage and typical energy costs. These home energy con­ servation facts are from the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension service in cooperation with the Illinois Institute of Natural Resources. Needs Some Work A mother didn't know what to say when she received her son's report card with the notation. "Your son's handwriting is so bad we can't tell whether he can spell or not." PRICES EFFECTIVE WED. MAR. 21 thru FRI. MAR. 25 DAILY 9 TIL 9, SUNDAY 10 TIL 6 ^•SPRING SOUND SALE! GENE SIMMONS V ^ \Wb ACE FREHLEY PETER CRISS INCL LEF I WANT Y BOB WELCH Three Hearts PAUL STANLEY ATLANTIC Cheap Trick at Budokan CAPITOL including Surrender/Ain't That A Shame I Want You To Want Me Need Your Love/Come On. Come On UNITED ARTISTS STEREO LPS SERIES 798 PICTURED ITEMS ONLY. \ f Jr ' • ,v l T i I, iA / EPIC STEREO LPS ' W series 898 ̂ Jb*J m 4400 W. RTE. 120, McHENRY HORNSBYS - f a m i l y center$ -- RT. 47 A COUNTRY CLUR RD., WOODSTOCK