Records related to tax exemption sought

Lake Bluff officials want the financial records of a village resident who got an $80,000 property tax break after he converted his lakefront mansion into a church.

Village Attorney Peter Friedman is also asking the Illinois Department of Revenue to hand over documents related to its June 24 approval of George Michael's request to exempt the Armenian Church of Lake Bluff from paying property taxes.

Michael told state officials last month that he began his congregation more than a year ago after he got a pastor's degree from an online religious site.

While only a handful of close friends and family attend the church, his attorney said Michael made the move to spare his disabled wife the hardship of having to travel to practice her religion.

Officials want conversion of $3 million house to church reversed.