VOTE411 Voter Guide

The county treasurer serves as the county's banker, responsible for the safe keeping and prudent investing of public funds. As the lawful custodian of county funds, the treasurer has the responsibility to receive and distribute the revenue and public monies of the county. The treasurer must keep an account of all monies received by the county and all monies paid out, stating the time, to whom payment is made, and on what account payment has been made. Payments must be specifically authorized by law or by the county board. The treasurer must invest and reinvest any funds that are not used within 30 days. Investments are made in savings accounts, treasury bills, certificate of deposits and other interest bearing bank accounts which allow for the liquidity, safety of principal and maximum return of investment. Each month the treasurer's books of account are subject to the provisions of the Local Records Act and are available for inspection by any person wishing to examine them. The Public Funds Investment Act requires counties to have a written investment policy to address safety of principal, liquidity of funds, and return on investment. This policy is to be adopted by the county treasurer and presented to the county board. The county treasurer also serves as county collector of taxes. The county collector is responsible for the preparation of tax bills and for the collection and distribution of property taxes. Real estate taxes are due in two yearly installments. The first installment is due around June 1 and the second is due around September 1 of each year. Upon receipt of the tax monies the county collector proceeds to disburse these funds to the various taxing districts. Along with the collection of real estate taxes, the county treasurer also collects Mobile Home Local Service Taxes. The county collector holds a tax sale at the end of every tax year to sell the tax on parcels that remain unpaid. The county collector gives notice of the intended application for judgment of sale of delinquent lands and lots by publication of a notice in the local newspaper. Properties for which the taxes haven't been paid for two or more years are subject to a scavenger sale. The purpose of the scavenger sale is to return delinquent and deteriorating property to productive use as quickly as possible. For this reason the amount required to be paid by the tax purchaser is less than the accumulated tax delinquencies. https://ilcounty.org/file/408/Inside%20the%20Courthouse%202025A.pdf