McHenry County officials announced on Apr. 24 that a property tax workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 6 at the Luecht Auditorium of McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, offering residents information about new services and resources for this year’s payments.
The event aims to help homeowners understand their property taxes, available exemptions, and ways to protect their investments amid rising concerns about fraud. Officials said the move to a larger venue follows high demand during previous workshops.
McHenry County Treasurer Donna Kurtz, County Clerk and Recorder Joe Tirio, and Chief Assessment Officer Alex Benitez will lead the session. “When Joe, Alex and I held a series of property-tax workshops last fall at libraries across McHenry County, the events were standing-room only, so we’re holding one at a much larger venue to coincide with the mailing of this year’s tax bills,” Kurtz said. “Once again, we’re coming together to explain how property taxes work to help spread the word about exemptions, convenient ways to pay, programs for seniors, and more. And besides unveiling some exciting new services, we’ll also be giving attendees a handy reference guide explaining it all in plain English.”
Tirio will discuss his office’s Property Fraud Alert program during the event. He said: “For many people, your home is by far your most significant investment. Understanding property taxes is important, but it’s just as important to protect that investment against the growing problem of fraudsters filing fake liens or forged deed transfers. The Property Fraud Alert is a layer of peace of mind, it’s absolutely free, and we’re encouraging people to sign up.”
Benitez noted he wants residents informed about assessments so they can prepare for future years: “The process of how homes and properties are assessed for tax purposes is complicated – besides explaining how it works, it’s vital that people know the available exemptions that can reduce their assessments – and apply for every one they are entitled to have.”
Education remains an important issue in McHenry County schools; there was an average student-to-teacher ratio of 14-to-1 in the 2022-23 school year with enrollment reaching over forty-five thousand students according to state education data. Teacher absenteeism stood at just over thirty-four percent locally compared with nearly thirty-six percent statewide according to Illinois State Board of Education figures.
Demographic trends show Huntley High School had both the highest number of white students (2,133) and multiracial students (135), Harvard High School led among Hispanic students (574), while Harry D. Jacobs High School enrolled eighty-seven Black students according to official reports.
Organizers encourage advance registration by calling or emailing the Treasurer’s Office so participants receive both seating accommodations and resource guides.
