Thursday, March 28, 2013
Illinois Appellate Court overturns ruling that would have created tax exemptions for private golf courses along the North Shore and elsewhere.
The Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board was directed this week to re-evaluate its assessment of Lake Forest's Onwentsia Club in light of a state appellate court's decision to overturn a ruling that would have granted private golf courses property tax exemptions based on open space designations, reported the Chicago Tribune. The appellate court determined the tax appeal board's interpretation of the state law governing open space tax exemptions was too broad, according to the Tribune. A property tax appeal by the Onwenstia Club contended that because its golf course is open land, thus exempt from property taxes, related structures like its club house and swimming pool should not be assessed either, reported Patch in January. Had the appeal …
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Long time Lake Forest resident taught tennis at Onwentsia and Shoreacres.
Frank Parks, 99, died Monday at his Lake Forest home surrounded by family and caregivers. Born in Waukegan, Parks lived in Lake Forest for years with his late wife, Mona Benner Parks, where he combined his talents and passions for teaching, sports and art into a rich life touching many in the community, according to information from Wenban Funeral Home. During the spring, summer and fall months, Parks taught tennis at both The Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest and Shoreacres Golf Club in Lake Bluff. In the winter, he instructed people in the sport of squash at Lake Forest’s Winter Club, which referred to him as a “legendary squash pro” in a bulletin less than a year ago. He loved helping people enjoy a good time—whether on the courts or …
Friday, February 8, 2013
State senator is researching legislative action to require private golf clubs to pay real estate tax on their improvements. Patch poll shows overwhelming support for lawmaking.
State Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) has decided to look at ways the Illinois General Assembly can require private golf clubs to pay property taxes on their improved real estate after learning of litigation winding its way through the court system which would allow an exemption. The issue came to light Jan. 30 when Patch published a story describing legal action brought by the Onwentsia Club of Lake Forest contending since its golf course is open land exempt from property taxes, its buildings like its club house should not be assessed either. Earlier: Should Legislature Require Taxes From Golf Clubs Since taxing authorities like school and park districts which rely on the revenue would have to either reduce their revenue or increase the…
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Pending court decision would take golf courses off tax roll and shift burden to all community taxpayers.
A property tax appeal by the Onwentsia Club could have far reaching effects on Lake County taxpayers and those in Lake Forest in particular as well as communities throughout the state. As the appeal stands, country club land, including improvements such as clubhouses, would be granted open space status and therefore would receive a zero assessment. “The public needs to know what benefits these organizations, country clubs, are getting. Should we be providing tax relief for them?” Lake County Assessor Martin Paulsen said. He said the ruling could result in a significant shift in the tax burden. The North Shore suburbs have numerous golf courses and country clubs including Conway Farms and Deerpath in Lake Forest in addition to Onwentsia as …
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Perpetrators strike along Green Bay Road.
A burglar or burglars struck five vehicles over a 90-minute period Friday afternoon, June 1, in Lake Forest, resulting in lost cash, credit cards, driver's licenses and golf balls, according to Lake Forest police. The first call came at 4:17 p.m. when three secured vehicles were broken into in the Fort Sheridan train parking lot at Old Elm Road and Western Avenue. A rock from the railroad tracks was used to smash the side windows of three vehicles: a 2003 Volkswagen, a 2012 Subaru and a 2002 BMW. Nothing had been reported missing as of Tuesday, according to Lake Forest Deputy Chief Glenn Burmeister. That wasn't true in the second case. At 5:27 p.m., police received another call from the Onwentsia Club, 300 N. Green Bay Road, where a Saturn…
RB
8:07 am on Saturday, March 30, 2013
Unless you live in Cook County (a tiny portion of DF is in Cook County) your County Taxes are pretty much determined by Republicans! Sad but true, Lake County is Republican for the most part. Historically, Lake County has higher property taxes than Cook County and historically Lake County is Republican. Hmmmmm. more ›