With an Oct. 30 deadline approaching for tax appeals in Bremen Township, resident Lynn Hilger has volunteered to offer three informational sessions to help others learn how to file a tax appeal.
Hilger, who wants to be Oak Forest’s first taxpayer advocate, says she is armed with personal experience from her fight with the Bremen Township assessor, and wants to share that knowledge with others.
At the workshops, taxpayers will learn what information is needed to complete the appeals form and how to correctly file that information.
Aldermen agreed to let Hilger take questions and meeting reservations through a City Hall voice mailbox. Residents can call Hilger at (708) 687-4050, extension 184, for information.
The workshops will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Oct. 8 and 15 at Oak Forest High School. Reservations are requested. Participants should call (708) 687-4050, extension 184, for additional information.
The last day to file an appeal with the Bremen Township assessor’s office is Oct. 30.
Hilger and challenger Mary Varkalis were officially thrown off the Oak Forest taxpayer advocate ballot earlier this month when the city’s electoral board ruled their petitions were invalid. The city plans to start the candidate filing process closer to the April 1999 election date it set.
The taxpayer advocate position was approved in a referendum this spring. The advocate would work with citizens to appeal tax rates as well as work for tax relief and be an advocate for reform legislation.