As the Avon Township Assessor, I am responsible for placing a value on all property-assessing – for tax purposes in Avon Township. I DO NOT Tax your property – the taxing bodies tax your property by levying against the assessment. The law requires that the assessment must be uniform according to the last three years of sales.  This is so each property owner is paying their fair share of the overall tax burden, no more or no less. Avon Township consists of Grayslake, Hainesville, Third Lake, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, and Round Lake Park.  My office is responsible for assessing over 25,000 parcels of real property, including residential, farm, and commercial property. In addition to property assessments, we handle other issues relating to real properties in Avon Township, such as processing property tax freezes for exemption: general, seniors, senior freeze, veterans, and people with disabilities.

If you have any questions concerning your property’s assessed value, please my office.  If you have an error in the characteristics, call Edwin, field inspector. Concerning your exemptions, Martina. You can stop in the office during office hours; Monday – Thursday 8:30am- 4pm and Friday 8:30am – 2pm, Phone (847) 546-2146 email [email protected] or [email protected]

 

NOW is the TIME to make sure your EXEMPTIONS are in place before the taxes go out

 

There are different types of exemptions that either reduce or defer the equalized value of your property. The net effect of these exemptions is to lower the assessed valuation, to which the tax rate is then applied. The qualifications and application procedures vary for each program. However, you must own the property, and it must be your primary residence to qualify for any of these exemptions.

 

1. GENERAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION 35 ILCS 200/15-175

Benefit:  This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of the property by $8,000.
Qualifications: Property must be the principal residence of the owner – You can only receive a general on one property

To Apply:  Applications can be filed electronically through the County’s Smartfile E-Filing Portal EX01: Homestead Exemption Application (First Time Applications ONLY) or Call (847) 546-2146 – Avon Assessor’s Office, 427 E Washington St, Round Lake Park, IL  60073.

 

IS YOUR PROPERTY IN A TRUST??

If you are applying for a new exemption and your property is held in a trust, it must be verified that the applicant is a living beneficiary of the trust.  The exemption cannot be applied without the verification.  A copy of that part of the actual trust agreement which states that the applicant is a beneficiary is required.  This information can usually be found on the first few pages of the trust document.  “During my lifetime”  

 

2. SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS 35 ILCS 200/15-170 

Benefit: This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of the property by $5,000. This exemption may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption.
Qualifications: Applicants must:

• Be 65 years of age or older (First person who turns 65 at any time of the year)
• Own and live in the property as their principal residence

To Apply:  Applications can be filed electronically through the County’s Smartfile E-Filing Portal EX01: Homestead Exemption Application (First Time Applications ONLY) or Call (847) 546-2146 – Avon Assessor’s Office, 427 E Washington St, Round Lake Park, IL  60073.

 

There is no annual renewal for this exemption. Applicants will need to provide proof of age (ex. driver’s license, state ID), and proof of ownership (copy of the deed which the assessor has). 

 

3. SENIOR CITIZEN’S ASSESSMENT FREEZE 35 ILCS 200/15-172

Benefit: The Senior Freeze provides seniors with limited income protection against real estate tax increases due to rising property values. It is not a tax freeze or a tax reduction and does not protect against increased taxes due to tax rate increases. Because this exemption provides for a base year frozen assessment, it will potentially provide increased savings each year if a senior is eligible. The base assessment used in the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption initially equals the assessed value from the prior year tax calculation. In subsequent years, if the new assessed value is lower than their original base value, the new lower value becomes the new base amount. 

This exemption must be renewed on an annual basis. A reminder for this exemption will be mailed out all taxpayers that are receiving the Senior Homestead Exemption each year in the spring, usually in the beginning of March.

Qualifications:  To qualify, applicants must:  Be 65 years of age or older      

• Own the property as their principal residence for the past two January 1
• Have a total household income of $65,000 or less 

To Apply:  Applications can be filed electronically through the County’s Smartfile E-Filing Portal EX02: Low-Income Senior Freeze Application (Annual) or Call (847) 546-2146 – Avon Assessor’s Office 427 E Washington St, Round Lake Park, IL  60073.

 

BENEFIT ACCESS PROGRAM     Please contact Avon Township Supervisor (847) 546-1146

About the Program: The Benefit Access Program, formerly known as Circuit Breaker, is for qualified seniors and disabled citizens to receive help with transit rides and license plate discounts. For qualification information, you should contact the Illinois Department of Revenue.

 

Illinois Department on Aging

1 Natural Resources Way, Suite 100              Email:  [email protected]

Springfield, IL 62702-1271                          Website:  https://webapps.illinois.gov/AGE/BAA/Welcome.aspx
Phone: 800-252-8966                               TTY: 888-206-1327

 

4. EXEMPTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 35 ILCS 200/15-168

Benefits: This benefit provides an annual $2,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the property owned and occupied as the primary residence on January 1 of the assessment year by a person with a disability who is liable for the payment of property taxes.

Qualifications: To qualify, applicants must: 

• Proof of Social Security Administration disability benefits which includes an award letter, verification letter or annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) letter (only COLA Form SSA-4926-SM-DI).
• A Class 2 Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office or Class 2 or Class 2A qualifies for this exemption. Class 1 or 1A does not qualify. To get an ID, you must download this application, and this form must be completed by a physician. Bring filled out form to the DMV  Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card (PDF)

If you are unable to provide any of the items listed above as proof of your disability, each year you must submit Form PTAX 343-A, Physician’s Statement for the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities (PDF)  Application must be completed by a physician.

To Apply:  Applications can be filed electronically through the County’s Smartfile E-Filing Portal EX03: Disabled Persons or Disabled Veterans Exemption Renewal or Call (847) 546-2146 – Avon Assessor’s Office 427 E Washington St, Round Lake Park, IL  60073.

 

5. VETERANS WITH DISABILITY 35 ILCS 200/15-169

Benefits: The Veterans with Disability Exemption provides an annual reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of a primary residence occupied by a veteran with a disability, or the veteran’s surviving spouse, on January 1 of the assessment year or on a prorated basis during the time of occupancy for the assessment year. The SHEVD amount depends on the percentage of the service-connected disability as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

• Veterans who have a service-connected disability of 30% or more but less than 50%, then the annual exemption is $2,500;
• Veterans who have a service-connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, then the annual exemption is $5,000;
• Veterans who have a service-connected disability of 70% or more, then the residential property is exempt from taxation under this Code.

Qualifications: To qualify, applicants must: 

• Own and occupy the property as the primary residence during all or a portion of the assessment year or lease and occupy a single-family residence during all or a portion of the assessment year and be liable for the payment of the property taxes.
• Copy of your Veteran’s E-benefit account can get this at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/about/feature?feature=va-letters
• Form DD 214 or separation of service from the War Department (military service prior to 1950)

To Apply:  Applications can be filed electronically through the County’s Smartfile E-Filing Portal EX03: Disabled Persons or Disabled Veterans Exemption Renewal or Call (847) 546-2146 – Avon Assessor’s Office, 427 E Washington St, Round Lake Park, IL  60073.

 

6. RETURNING VETERANS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION 35 ILCS 200/15-167

Benefits: This provides a $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the veteran’s principal residence for two consecutive assessment (tax) years, the tax year, and the following year that the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. The veteran must own and occupy the property as his or her principal residence on January 1 of each assessment year.  

To Apply:  Applications can be filed electronically through the County’s Smartfile E-Filing Portal or Call (847) 546-2146 – Avon Assessor’s Office, 427 E Washington St, Round Lake Park, IL  60073.

 

7. HOMESTEAD IMPROVEMENT EXEMPTION 35ILCS 200/15-180

Benefits: This exemption defers for four years any increase in the assessment of your property due to an addition or other improvement to your home for which the Township Assessor would add value.

• Amaximum of $25,000.00 of assessed value may be deferred under this program.
• The Township Assessor’s office initiates this exemption.

There are no applications for this exemption.

 

2025

Holiday Schedule – Office will be Closed

Avon Township – Assessor’s Office

New Year’s Day                                      Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Martin Luther King’s Day                         Monday, January 20, 2025

President’s Day                                      Monday, February 17, 2025

Good Friday                                           Friday, April 18, 2025

Memorial Day                                        Monday, May 26, 2025

Juneteenth Day                                      Thursday, June 19, 2025

Independence Day                                  Friday, July 4, 2025

Labor Day                                              Monday, September 1, 2025

Columbus Day                                       Monday, October 13, 2025

Veteran’s Day                                         Monday, November 11, 2025

Thanksgiving                                         Thursday, November 27, 2025

                                                                            Friday, November 28, 2025

Christmas Holiday                                 Wednesday, December 24, 2025

                                                                            Thursday, December 25, 2025

                                                                            Friday, December 26, 2025