Why again did tax bill go up?

It's that time of year. I received my Kane County real estate tax bill recently.

Despite the fact that the market value of townhouses in my area have dropped in the past three years from $165,000 to $130,000, my bill rose from $3,257 to $3,423. This prompted me to pull out last year's bill to figure out the county's shell game, and it's a pretty interesting play.

Last year the assessors determined that despite the collapse of the housing market in Illinois, the fair cash value of my home had actually risen by $5,000. The increased value enabled them to lower the tax rate from the previous year, which kept the 2007 and 2008 bill about the same. The assessor's office could then brag that taxes hadn't been increased. However, this year the old tax rate is back, with a little added, and being applied the new higher assessed value. The results? A 5-percent tax increase.

If this bill truly reflects the reality of the market, then I invite the township and county assessors to purchase my home at the value stated on my 2009 bill. I'll even discount the selling price to the level of the previous value. Should be a heck of a deal for you.

If you're unable or unwilling to do so, would you at least kiss me?

Ernest Pergrem

Elgin