Protecting landowners from skyrocketing woodland assessments         

[May 31, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- The state Senate has approved a measure to save rural landowners from skyrocketing assessments for nonproductive woodland, prairie and wetlands. Senate Bill 17 passed by a vote of 57-0, according to state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.

Senate Bill 17 creates the Conservation Stewardship Law, which will provide permanent property tax relief to landowners with unimproved land. The problem was caused in 2004 when the Illinois Department of Revenue changed the rules for classifying certain types of land for assessment purposes. After the change in rules, some property owners saw that land that had been previously taxed at $2 per acre could climb as high as $50 to $70 per acre even though the land was not being used for agricultural, commercial and residential purposes. The new legislation will not affect lands that are already maintained in a forestry program.

The agreement was reached as part of the work of the Woodlands Task Force, formed in 2006 by a House joint resolution that froze the assessments at the 2004 levels.

Once Senate Bill 17 becomes law, landowners must place land in an approved conservation stewardship plan, to be administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Lands will then be assessed at 5 percent of their market value. Landowners must possess at least 5 acres of woodlands, prairie, wetlands, and other vacant or undeveloped land to qualify for the new program.

Eligible land includes woodlands, prairie, wetlands, or other vacant or undeveloped land that is not used for any residential or commercial purposes. Sale or transfer of lands will not be affected under the plan unless the property fails to meet the conservation plans or falls below the 5-acre requirement.

"My hope is that this legislation will save people from having to sell their land," said Bomke.

Senate Bill 17 still needs the approval of the House of Representatives and governor.

[Text from news release sent on behalf of Sen. Larry Bomke and received from Illinois Senate Republican staff]