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ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP AND OUR PURPOSE

Elk Grove Township is committed to providing residents with the level of services and programs that best fit their wants and needs.

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ELECTED OFFICIALS

Meet the team of elected officials and trustees making decisions with the township’s best interest in mind.

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MEETINGS, MINUTES AND FINANCIALS

Your resource for all matters related to Township meetings, official minutes, finances, and funding.

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ABOUT THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

From applying for tax exemptions to filing property tax appeals, get answers to questions about your property tax bills.

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PROPERTY TAX APPEALS

Your property taxes are based upon your home’s estimated value. Find out how the property tax appeal process works and, if necessary, how the Township can help you appeal your property tax bill.

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PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS

Exemptions can waive or reduce some of the property taxes you pay. Learn more about the available exemptions for which you may qualify and how to apply for them to legally reduce what you own in taxes.

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SOCIAL SERVICES

The Township offers a variety of free programs and services to help residents regain control of their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. Learn more about the many valuable resources available to you.

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RESIDENT SERVICES

As a resident of this Township, you are eligible to access programs and resources to help you through any physical or financial challenges you may face. Reach out to us should you need assistance or referrals to services in your time of need.

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COMMUNITY SERVICES

From transportation and employment to passports and parking placards, you’ll find a wide variety of helpful services designed to save you time and energy. If it makes your life easier and serves the needs of the community, you’ll find it here.

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Author name: Elk Grove Township Staff

Cook County’s Second Installment Property Tax Bills Delayed

Elk Grove Township Assessor Connie Carosielli, who is a Deputy to the Cook County Assessor, says tax bills that are normally sent out at the end of June will be delayed until at least the end of July – and could be later. This means that second installment property tax bills will not be due until September 1 and possibly even later. This year marks a major milestone for Cook County’s property tax system. For decades, the County relied on a mainframe system created in the 1980s to process and prepare tax bills. While the County has been gradually phasing out this dated system, 2025 is the first year all tax calculations will be completed using the new system. Assessor Caroselli says this final transition is the reason for processing delays, which have impacted the traditional schedule for send out and payment due dates. “Although we’re experiencing some growing pains with the new system, I’m optimistic it will help to streamline future billing and improve overall efficiency for the benefit of our taxpayers,” Assessor Carosielli said. Tax bills cannot be issued until Cook County’s two tax appeal agencies have finished processing all property tax appeals. In previous years, compatibility issues between systems also delayed that process – in those cases for months, which pushed property tax due dates to as late as December. Assessor Caroselli and her staff at Elk Grove Township are available to assist residents with assessed value concerns, exemptions, and other property tax services. For assistance with property tax bills, residents can stop by the Township Office (600 Landmeier Road in Elk Grove Village) or call 224-265-6110. To learn more about the Elk Grove Township Assessor’s Office and the services it provides for residents, visit https://elkgrovetownship.com/tax-advocacy/. For updates from the Cook County Assessor, visit https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/.

Cook County’s Second Installment Property Tax Bills Delayed Read More »

Elk Grove Township Introduces Refrigerated Food Pantry Lockers

Dedicated to former Township Supervisor George K. Busse – who served the Township for 24 years as a trustee, clerk and ultimately supervisor – the lockers represent the Township’s commitment to serving as many residents as possible. The refrigerated units enable food pickups after hours and on weekends for those with transportation barriers or conflicting work schedules. The new innovative system is expected to assist 2,000 more individuals annually, offering greater flexibility. “Access to food is a basic need, and no one should have to choose between getting groceries and keeping a job to use our Food Pantry,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor John Scaletta. “These lockers bridge the gap ensuring we can serve more people who rely on this precious resource.” Scaletta emphasized that dedicating the lockers in Busse’s name, is a fitting tribute to his years of dedicated service to the Township, and most recently, his leadership as Supervisor. “George was deeply committed to expanding resources for our residents. Thanks to his leadership, adult and family counseling, services for seniors and youth programs all grew significantly, reflecting his passion for continuous improvement.” Currently, the Township’s Food Pantry serves approximately 1,200 households every month – a number that continues to rise due to increasing cost of living. Clients who have already registered to use the Food Pantry can call 224-265-6111 to place an order for an after-hours pick-up. Once an order is confirmed, simple instructions and a one-time secure code are provided to access items from the refrigerated lockers, which are located at the Township’s west entrance just inside the door. This innovation was made possible by generous support from Koloni, a leader in the locker industry and cutting-edge software, who donated the software subscription. Elk Grove Township extends its heartfelt thanks to Koloni and the community for their continued support in helping their neighbors in need to live with dignity. To learn more about the Food Pantry, visit elkgrovetownship.com or view the following video at https://bit.ly/EGT-Food-Pantry. For any questions, please call the Township at 847-437-0300.

Elk Grove Township Introduces Refrigerated Food Pantry Lockers Read More »

Paint-A-Thon applications due July 1 for Elk Grove Township

Once homeowners are approved for this program, the volunteer team will arrive a week ahead of the painting to complete preparation work, including scraping, caulking and priming. On “paint day,” teams will meet in the morning and typically finish by the end of the day. “This is more than just a fresh coat of paint – it’s about helping to invest in the homes of individuals who would not otherwise be able to make this costly improvement,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse. “The Township is honored to be involved in such a meaningful, long term partnership, and I encourage our residents to apply.” To qualify for the program, a home must be owned and occupied by a senior who is 60 years of age or older, a veteran, or someone who has a permanent disability and is unable to paint the exterior themselves. Other eligibility criteria include: Income is not the only criteria considered; medical expenses and other special circumstances will also be taken into consideration to determine eligibility. Applications are now being accepted by Elk Grove Township’s Older Adult Programming & Benefits Specialist. For questions about eligibility and to apply to take advantage of the Community Paint-A-Thon, call 224-222-0942. Elk Grove Township is proud to be involved in this important community initiative. For more information about all the services provided to the community by Elk Grove Township, please visit elkgrovetownship.com.

Paint-A-Thon applications due July 1 for Elk Grove Township Read More »

Property Tax Bills Have Spiked for 240,000 Cook County Homeowners, Data Shows

The typical homeowner with a spike saw their tax bill go up by $1,700. In total, these 240,000 homeowners paid close to $500 million more in property taxes as a result of the increases. The data is available at www.cookcountyassessor.com/historical-analysis-property-tax-spikes- 2021-2023. “This data quantifies what so many families have already experienced: being suddenly saddled with much larger tax bills. Homeowners budget responsibly based on predicted increases, but the larger property tax system doesn’t provide predictability,” said Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. “We need property tax relief that will serve as a crucial safeguard for homeowners in this untenable situation, protecting them from unsustainable tax spikes.” The CCAO’s new data dashboard is a historical analysis of property tax bill spikes between Tax Year 2021 and Tax Year 2023. It includes data from tax bills mailed out in the summer of 2024, when the typical homeowner in Cook County’s south and west suburbs saw a tax bill increase of nearly 20%. The dashboard also shows tax bill spikes by different geographies, including Cook County townships, municipalities, state legislative districts, and Chicago wards. The data dashboard also allows users to adjust the three parameters that define a tax spike. These are: “Circuit Breaker” program would provide relief The Cook County Assessor’s Office has worked on state legislation to create a property tax relief initiative for homeowners. This “circuit breaker” program would provide relief to qualifying homeowners with a 25% bill spike. Credits given to homeowners would cover up to half of the tax bill increase. The Circuit Breaker Property Tax Relief Act was filed in the Illinois Senate as SB1978 by Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-40th) and in the House as HB3808 by Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-27). This week, Assessor Kaegi published an editorial piece in the Chicago Tribune, written together with Mayor Nathaniel G. Booker of Maywood and Mayor Joseph Woods of Park Forest, calling for the state legislature to pass the circuit breaker. “While it’s up to legislators to balance the many competing priorities we have, we believe that we need to start putting the details to paper at some point on a program that is a necessary safeguard for our residents,” the group wrote. “That’s how we figure out a solution to a problem that seems intractable.” South suburbs saw most property tax pain While tax spikes of at least 25% occurred across Cook County, many south suburban municipalities have seen especially high increases in their bills. In Country Club Hills, for example, more than half of homeowners have seen a tax spike of 25% or more. For these homeowners, the median tax bill increase was $2,700. In 2022, the median residential tax bill in Country Club Hills was about $5,000, according to data from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office. For homeowners with tax bill spikes in Thornton Township, which includes all or parts of Calumet City, Harvey, South Holland, and several other municipalities, they paid a total of $42.2 million more in property taxes due to these increases. That was the second-highest raw total of any township in Cook County, though Thornton Township makes up less than 1.5% of all assessed value in Cook County.

Property Tax Bills Have Spiked for 240,000 Cook County Homeowners, Data Shows Read More »

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners

Although previous studies have documented how assessment appeals shift tax burdens, the Treasurer’s Office study is the first to determine the resulting changes to the amounts billed to property owners. That analysis revealed that the percentage increases in tax amounts billed to homeowners were far greater in areas with lower-income minority populations. “This study helps explain why many homeowners have experienced sticker shock when opening their property tax bills in recent years,” Treasurer Maria Pappas said. “We hope our findings help guide policy makers in their ongoing efforts to make the appeals system more equitable.” Key Findings: Businesses vs. Homeowners:-Successful appeals by businesses caused their collective tax bills to drop by $3.3 billion, or 12.5%, while residential tax bills jumped by $1.9 billion, or 6.9%.-Business owners appealed their assessments nearly 64% of the time, while homeowners appealed 27% of the time — with businesses winning far larger assessed value reductions.-Business’ assessed value reductions surged to a total of $25.5 billion from 2021 to 2023 compared to $9.9 billion from 2015 to 2017. The difference is due mostly to larger reductions granted by the Board of Review. While business reductions rose, assessed value reductions for homeowners declined to $2.8 billion from $3.2 billion from 2021 to 2023.  Income & Race Disparities:-Homeowners in the highest-income areas appealed their assessments 46% of the time, while those in the lowest-income areas appealed just 11% of the time.-Property owners in majority Black and Latino neighborhoods appeal at far lower rates. The appeal rate for white homeowners was 35.5% compared to 10.85% in Black neighborhoods and 14.06% in Latino neighborhoods.-Property owners in majority Black and Latino neighborhoods appeal at far lower rates. The appeal rate for white homeowners was 35.5% compared to 10.85% in Black neighborhoods and 14.06% in Latino neighborhoods. A Tale of Two Neighborhoods:Two examples from the study of the tax appeals system show how wealthier white neighborhoods tend to benefit by successfully appealing, often at the expense of lower income minority neighborhoods, where homeowners saw their tax bills jump by 14.8% after the appeals process was completed during reassessment years.-In one Census tract in Gage Park, a low-income majority Latino community area on the Southwest Side where only 5.2% percent of homeowners contested their assessments, tax bills rose nearly 23% after appeals.-In one Census tract in North Center, a high-income majority white community area where 60% of homeowners appealed their assessment, tax bills rose less than 15%. “I’m heartened that the Assessor and Board of Review are already addressing some of the underlying issues that cause this unequal shift in the tax burden, because the Cook County residents earning the least shouldn’t be shouldering the most, when it comes to taxes,” Pappas said. A link to the full study, data, and our interactive mapping tool is available here.

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners Read More »

Elk Grove Township Awards $620K in Mental Health and Wellness Grants

The Mental Health and Wellness Grant Program provides financial support to nonprofit social service agencies that have been in operation for at least one year, deliver services to township residents and are used by the township to supplement the services they provide. A Mental Health and Wellness Grant Committee annually reviews grant applications and submits their funding recommendations to the township board for inclusion in the township budget. The Committee consists of two township elected officials, two social service staff members and three residents. “The need for mental health and wellness services in our community continues to consistently grow for a variety of reasons,” Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse said. “These grants help strengthen and broaden the scope of critical health services that are available to our residents.” Through these grants, the township seeks to bolster its agency partnerships and to promote community collaborations. The goal is to ensure that when residents seek assistance from the township, they are not only provided access to township resources — such as financial assistance, counseling, youth programs and the food pantry — but are also connected with agencies that specialize in their specific needs. This year’s grant recipients include: A Caring Place, Access to Care Suburban, Alexian Brothers for Mental Health, Center for Concern, Center for Enriched Living, Children’s Advocacy Center, Clearbrook Center, Connections of Illinois, Connections to Care, District 214 Educational Foundation, Elyssa’s Mission, Family Forward, Glenkirk, Good Neighbors Network, Hands On, Hopeful Beginnings, Journeys, Kan-Win, Kenneth Young Center, Life Span, Little City Foundation, Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault, Northwest Compass, Northwest Community Hospital Foundation, The Salvation Army, Search Inc., Shelter Inc., Special Leisure Service Foundation, and WINGS. Visit the organizations’ websites to learn more about each grant recipient. While Elk Grove Township offers a full range of social and wellness services, mental health is specifically addressed by the township’s Adult & Family Counseling Program. This program provides no-cost, confidential counseling and psychiatric services to Township residents. Services include: • Counseling, assessment and therapy for mental health and substance-related concerns • Children and adolescent attention deficit screenings• Psychiatric telehealth services for medication management • Parenting Classes Services are individualized, family-focused, and available in both English and Spanish. Counseling sessions are offered at the Township office or via Telehealth. According to Brian Maye, a Township Trustee and Mental Health and Wellness Committee member, “Elk Grove Township remains committed to fostering a strong, healthy community by ensuring residents have access to the mental health and social services they need. Through this and other supportive programs, the Township continues to deliver on its motto to, ‘empower people through community.’” For more in formation about the Mental Health and Wellness Grant Program, counseling services or youth empowerment programs, call Elk Grove Township Social Services, at (847) 981-0373 or visit elkgrovetownship.com.

Elk Grove Township Awards $620K in Mental Health and Wellness Grants Read More »

Elk Grove Township serves youth through variety of programs

The Newcomer SEL Program was initially launched in October of 2024. It provides hands-on learning for students so they can successfully navigate entering new schools, whether that’s at the beginning of the year or when families move to new school districts. Moving to new neighborhoods and schools can cause young people significant stress, particularly if there are also associated cultural changes. The program’s goal is to help young people build confidence, learn how to form meaningful relationships and strengthen essential life and communication skills to promote overall social and academic success. “We provide a welcoming environment where students can explore their cultural identities, embrace differences and truly feel a sense of belonging,” Youth Services Director Renee Dorn said. “By integrating social-emotional learning with cultural transition support, we are helping young leaders to navigate challenges with resilience and confidence.” While the Newcomer SEL Program is only taught in schools, many of the other Youth Service programs are held both in school and at the township. These include a variety of on-site support groups designed to strengthen life skills, emotional intelligence and social awareness in children, teens and young adults. Each are 10-week programs with the next groups scheduled to begin meeting on Wednesday, April 9. For details or to register for any of these programs, visit elkgrovetownship.com/youth-services or call (847) 981-0375. The Youth Services Bike Safety Program will also be rolling into action this spring with engaging activities for kids and families. Activities include monthly open rides for kids and families to practice safe biking together, as well as instructional safety classes for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Trustee David Perns, who participated in the Township Bike Safety program when he was a student, pointed out, “With the increase in local traffic and congestion over the years, classes that teach safe bike handling, road safety and essential cycling skills are more important than ever.” Registration is required. Visit elkgrovetownship.com/bicycle-safety or call (224) 265-6118.

Elk Grove Township serves youth through variety of programs Read More »

Elk Grove Township’s Holiday Programs Achieve Remarkable Success

In November, the Food Pantry partnered with the township’s Social Services Department to host the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive. Nearly 900 families received baskets filled with holiday meal fixings, such as turkey, stuffing, vegetables and more. Township residents donated a record $14,000 in support of the drive and Forest Packaging generously provided packaging material to create the “baskets.” The Senior Angel Tree program brought joy to more than 250 low-income seniors over the holiday season. Senior participants provided the township with their personal holiday gift wishes. The wishes ranged from air fryers and cozy pajamas to special items such as “The Best of Simon and Garfunkel” paired with a CD player. The wishes were then hung on an Angel Tree in the township lobby where residents, businesses or local organizations could pick up one or more of the requests to fulfill for a senior. The community support for the program was so great that the township ran out of wishes well before the program was to end. The Holiday Gift Card Drive provided low-income parents with gift cards that they could use to buy presents for their children. The drive ensured that nearly 200 young children received gifts from “Santa.” This approach not only gave financially challenged parents the dignity of choosing gifts for their children, but also gave program sponsors the satisfaction of knowing they played an important part in making the holidays a little brighter for a family in need. “The generosity of the township community never ceases to amaze us,” said Township Supervisor George Busse. “Through these important holiday programs, we can make the holidays a little more cheerful for neighbors who are experiencing some difficulty. It’s an excellent example of how we at the township are constantly striving to fulfill our mission to empower people through community.” Looking ahead, the township invites residents to continue to support the Food Pantry during the winter months through two upcoming initiatives. The annual “SouperBowl” canned soup collection runs through Feb. 9, with donations accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the township offices, at 600 Landmeier Road in Elk Grove Village. In March, the township will launch “MacMadness,” which asks for donations of macaroni and cheeses and other dry pasta goods. Donations can be accepted during the Township’s regular business hours. “With the food pantry currently serving more than 1100 families every month, any donation is both needed and greatly appreciated,” Elk Grove Township Trustee David Perns said. For more information on the Elk Grove Township programs and events, please visit elkgrovetownship.com.

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George Busse named Social Services Supervisor of the Year

Entitled, “Township Government: Building for Tomorrow,” the conference provided the opportunity for township officials across Illinois to participate in educational sessions and learn about the latest developments in township government. The prestigious award recognizes Busse’s 24 years of dedicated service and his innovative leadership in providing social and mental health services to township residents. “Being named Supervisor of the Year for social services is an incredible honor, but it’s truly a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire team at Elk Grove Township,” Busse said. “Together, we’re building a stronger, more supportive community. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished to better serve the needs of our 95,000 residents, and particularly, those most in need.” Born and raised in Elk Grove Township, Busse has deep family ties to the community, with a family legacy of County, Township and Village public service dating back to 1848. He follows in the steps of his great grandfather, John Rohlwing, who was the Elk Grove Township Supervisor in the early 1900s. A retired Navy captain and former chairman of the Mount Prospect Finance Commission and Police and Fire Commission, Busse served Elk Grove Township as a trustee for 14 years, clerk for six years and was elected supervisor in 2021. Under his leadership, township services have evolved to meet the rapidly growing social support needs of its residents, including: • Expansion of township staff to meet a 400% increase in food pantry usage and a 225% rise in social service assistance applications.• Hired additional mental health therapists and established a partnership with the Josselyn Center to provide psychiatric and medication services to township residents who previously faced long wait lists.• Strengthened senior social services through the hiring of a Senior Benefits Specialist to manage the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), senior fairs and wellness groups, and the expansion of the Township transportation program which provides free rides to seniors and disabled residents.• Established new Bicycle Safety and Challenge courses. The Bike Safety Course offers rules of the road classes for schools and other groups, and the Challenge Course is used in connection with the township’s youth programs and focuses on building social skills, teamwork, and self-empowerment. Attendees of the TOI Conference represent nearly 11,000 officials from 1,426 townships in Illinois. The conference is part of TOI’s mission to strengthen township government by providing ongoing education and support. TOI Executive Director Jerry B. Crabtree noted, “New and returning officials all learn more about the changes in the laws and their duties by attending our conference. There is much to be gained from these educational sessions.” Elk Grove Township elected officials, and staff are regular attendees of the annual TOI conference. The educational opportunities and ability to share ideas with other townships were cited by Elk Grove Trustee David Perns as primary reasons for attending. He also noted that being able to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Supervisor Busse this year made attending particularly meaningful. “I’m glad we were able to be present to help recognize George’s years of visionary leadership and determined effort to make our Township a thriving and supportive community for all its residents.” For more information about Elk Grove Township’s programs and services, visit elkgrovetownship.com.

George Busse named Social Services Supervisor of the Year Read More »

Give back and stay well this season with Elk Grove Township

Coat Donation Drive: Winter is approaching, and you can help your neighbors in need stay warm through the township’s Winter Coat Drive, made possible due to a partnership with St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge. New or gently used clean coats for men, women and children are being accepted, with a special need for larger sizes. Coat donations are requested by Wednesday, Oct. 30, to the township (600 Landmeier Road in Elk Grove Village) Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Flu Vaccination Clinic: In partnership with Ascension Alexian Brothers, a free flu shot clinic will be available to township residents, 18 years of age and older. While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are recommended. The clinic will take place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the Elk Grove Township Meeting Hall, 600 Landmeier Road, in Elk Grove Village. Thanksgiving Donation Drive: Help the township reach its goal! The township’s Thanksgiving Donation Drive is now in full swing, and the community’s support is needed to meet the goal of $14,000 in donations. Currently, the township has raised nearly $3,000. This fundraising goal will ensure that all individuals who currently utilize the Food Pantry can enjoy traditional Thanksgiving meals. The pantry currently serves more than 1,000 residents each month. Donations can be made using the form in the summer edition of the township newsletter, or directly on the township website at https://elkgrovetownship.com/ways-to-donate/. “Whether it’s making sure residents experiencing financial challenges can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal or stay warm this winter with a much-needed coat, or by protecting the health of our residents through free flu shots, the Township is always working to meet the needs of our community members,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse. “It is our mission to support and empower people through community partnerships.” For information on these and other services offered by the township, call (847) 437-0300 or visit elkgrovetownship.com.

Give back and stay well this season with Elk Grove Township Read More »