PROP TX-ASSESSOR COMPENSATION
The bill aims to enhance the performance of assessors by linking their compensation to specific assessment performance metrics. To qualify for this additional compensation, assessors will need to meet certain criteria regarding the median level of assessment and the coefficient of dispersion. This measure is anticipated to incentivize assessors to maintain fair and accurate property assessments while ensuring accountability within the assessment process, which can ultimately lead to more equitable property tax distributions across the state.
House Bill 2359, introduced by Rep. Maura Hirschauer, seeks to amend the Property Tax Code in Illinois by establishing a framework for providing additional compensation based on the performance of assessors in designated counties. Specifically, it targets counties that have a population of more than 50,000 but fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants. The bill stipulates that beginning in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2023, the Department of Revenue shall remit any additional performance-based compensation to the appropriate township, which will in turn pay the assessors. This change designates the township as the employer of the assessor for payroll purposes regarding this compensation.
While the intended benefits of HB2359 are clear, potential points of contention include concerns about the funding implications for local governments and the fairness of the evaluation criteria. Critics may argue that tying compensation to performance could lead to inconsistencies and inequities across different townships, especially given varying conditions and challenges they face. Furthermore, the stipulation that townships act as the employer for compensation purposes may raise questions about local governance and the autonomy of municipalities in managing assessor relations.