Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax

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In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, property tax attorney Nora Devine dives into the complexities of property tax exemptions for nonprofits in Illinois with guest Sally Wagenmaker. Sally, a partner at Wagenmaker & Oberly LLC, shares valuable insights on the nuances of qualifying for property tax exemptions for churches, schools, healthcare facilities, and charitable organizations. The discussion highligh...

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Nora Devine, a seasoned property tax attorney, sheds light on the complexities of property tax mail in Illinois. From reassessment notices to delinquency notifications, Nora breaks down the crucial information property owners should look out for and act upon promptly. Understanding the nuances of assessment notices, installment tax bills, and delinquency notices can help property owners navigate the intricate prope...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Devine Intervention*Nora Devine sheds light on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in Illinois. She explains the concept of TIF districts, how they function, and the controversies surrounding their use. Nora discusses the benefits, drawbacks, and transparency requirements associated with TIF districts, providing insights into their impact on taxpayers and local communities.

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In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, property tax attorney Nora Devine sheds light on the intricate process of Illinois property tax enforcement. From unpaid taxes to tax sales and redemption periods, Nora explains the enforcement process and what property owners can do before it's too late. Discover how penalties and interest rates impact property owners and the nuances of annual sales and scavenger sales. Le...

In this episode, Attorney Nora Devine sits down with Bob Becker, a seasoned Illinois commercial appraiser, to break down the cost approach to property valuation—a key yet often misunderstood method used in property tax appeals. Bob explains how this approach differs from the sales comparison and income methods, when it’s most useful (especially for special-use properties), and the biggest challenges appraisers face ...

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In this episode of *Devine Intervention,* Property Tax attorney Nora Devine and guest Patrick Hynes discuss the challenges faced by Cook County's property tax system and the need to rebuild public trust. They delve into the issues of transparency, accuracy, and accountability in property tax assessment, highlighting the disconnect between market realities and assessed values that erode trust among taxpayers. Hynes ...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host Nora Devine welcomes back John Mitchell, partner at Wilkie Farr & Gallagher and former federal prosecutor, to continue their discussion on recent prosecutions in the Illinois property tax assessment space. They review the acquittal in the Nitzega golf case, examine the charges against assessor’s office employee Frankie Perez, ...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host Nora Devine welcomes back attorney John Mitchell of Wilkie Farr & Gallagher to discuss recent corruption prosecutions in the Illinois property tax space. Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor who secured a high-profile acquittal for lobbyist Mike McClain, explains how federal bribery law under 18 U.S.C. § 666 has shifted follo...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host and property tax attorney Nora Devine is joined by John Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor and current partner at Wilkie Farr & Gallagher. Together, they examine recent federal prosecutions involving public corruption and the property tax system in Illinois. John provides insights into the statutes prosecutors rely on, incl...

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In this episode of *Devine Intervention*, Nora Devine sheds light on the impact of renovations on property taxes in Illinois. Discussing how renovations can trigger reassessments and increase property values, Nora provides valuable insights for property owners considering construction projects.

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00:00 – Introduction

01:30 – Impact of Pulling Permits on Reassessments

04:45 – Factors Influencing Proper...

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In this episode, host Kevin Rosenquist and property tax attorney Nora Devine discuss the complex world of agricultural land assessments in Illinois. Nora explains how farmland and farm buildings are assessed differently from other properties, the requirements for agricultural classification, and common pitfalls property owners face when seeking preferential assessments.

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00:00 - Introduction

00:40 ...

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In this informative episode, property tax attorney Nora Devine discusses preferential assessments in Illinois and how they can lead to significant property tax savings. She explains various types of preferential assessments, including farmland, open space, and developer's relief, along with their qualification criteria and application processes.

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00:00 - Introduction

00:33 - Definition of preferent...

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In this revealing episode, property tax attorney Nora Devine discusses the ethical challenges and reforms in Illinois' property tax system. She shares insights about historical corruption, recent improvements, and the importance of transparency in property tax assessments. The conversation covers campaign contribution limits, gift ban ordinances, and the role of federal prosecutors in combating corruption.

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In this informative episode, host Abigail Vaca and property tax attorney Nora Devine dive deep into the complex world of equalization factors in Illinois property tax. Nora explains how these factors work differently in Cook County versus other counties, their impact on property owners, and the relationship between equalization factors and school funding. The episode provides valuable insights for property owners a...

Episode Summary:

In this informative episode, host Abigail Vaca and property tax attorney Nora Devine discuss vacancy relief for Illinois property owners. Nora explains what vacancy relief is, who qualifies, common pitfalls, and best practices for property owners seeking this tax break. The episode covers important insights about the application process, documentation requirements, and strategic considerations for property owners d...

Episode Summary:

In this informative episode, host Abigail Vaca and property tax attorney Nora Devine dive deep into the complex world of omitted assessments in Illinois property tax law. Nora explains how omitted assessments differ from regular property tax assessments, common scenarios leading to back taxes, and crucial legal defenses available to property owners.

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00:00 - Introduction

00:43 - Explanation of regu...

In this episode of Devine Intervention, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with property tax attorney Nora Devine to break down the Illinois commercial property tax appeal process. With nearly two decades of experience, Nora provides valuable insights on why commercial property owners should appeal, how to collect the right documentation, and what strategies can strengthen an appeal. They discuss the differences betwee...

In this episode of Devine Intervention, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with experienced property tax attorney Nora Devine to discuss the ins and outs of appealing property tax assessments in Illinois. They cover what business and commercial real estate owners should consider when hiring a property tax appeal attorney, red flags to watch out for, and the importance of working with a tech-enabled firm. Nora also she...

In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with property tax attorney Nora Devine to break down how property tax assessments are determined. They explore the factors assessors consider, how market conditions and comparable sales impact valuations, and common mistakes in the assessment process. Nora also provides insights on how homeowners and busi...