SPRINGFIELD, IL - Rock Island County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Brian Hamer, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The property assessment equalization factor, often called the "multiplier," is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties as required by law.  This equalization is particularly important because some of the state's 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts).  If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.

Under a law passed in 1975, property in Illinois should be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value.  Farm property is assessed differently, with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures, but with farmland assessed at one-third (1/3) of its agriculture economic value.  Farmland is not subject to the state equalization factor.

Assessments in Rock Island County are at 33.42 percent of the market value, based on sales of properties in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2012 taxes, payable in 2013.  Last year's equalization for the county was 1.0000.

The final assessment equalization factor was issued after a public hearing on the tentative factor.  The tentative factor issued in October 2012 was 1.0000.

The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments or county assessor.

If this three year average level of assessment is one-third the market value, the equalization factor will be one (1).  If the average level of assessment is greater than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be less than one (1).  And if the average level of assessment is less than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be greater than one (1).

A change in the equalization factor does not mean total property bills will increase or decrease.  Tax bills are determined by local taxing bodies when the request money each year to provide services to local citizens.  If the amount requested by local taxing districts is not greater than the amount received in the previous year, then local property taxes will not increase even if assessments increase.

The assessed value of an individual property determines what portion of the tax burden a specific taxpayer will assume.  That individual's portion of tax responsibility is not changed by the multiplier.

Governor and Public Health Officials Stress the Critical Need to Prevent Youth Violence

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) director, legislators and other public health officials at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago to kick-off National Youth Violence Prevention Week. The governor encouraged access to resources and non-violent conflict resolution as part of his agenda to increase public safety and protect Illinois' youth.

"Every child in Illinois deserves a chance to have a bright, healthy future," Governor Quinn said. "We must stop the violence now and work on solutions to protect this vulnerable generation."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 14 people ages 10 to 24 are murdered every day in the United States. Each year, almost 740,000 children and youth are treated in hospital emergency departments - more than 84 youths every hour - as a result of violence. Young African-American and Latino men and children are disproportionately impacted, with the highest homicide rates of any group.

"Youth violence is a serious problem, but it is preventable," IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said, a former lead scientist for the CDC Division of Violence Prevention and co-author of a Surgeon General's Report on Youth Violence in 2001. "It is a legitimate public health concern - as significant as exposure to secondhand smoke, a severe influenza outbreak or a contaminated water supply."

"In many ways, the problem of youth violence is more complex than even the most rare health conditions we treat at Lurie Children's," Karen Sheehan, MD, Attending Physician at Lurie Children's and Medical Director of its violence prevention consortium, Strengthening Chicago's Youth (SCY) said. "At the same time, it is important for every individual and organization to know that they can play a role in preventing violence. We applaud Governor Quinn and Dr. Hasbrouck for their leadership on this critical issue."

There are many risk factors that can lead to youth violence such as past victimization, family conflict, rejection by peers, drugs, alcohol and a lack of community involvement.  There are also several protective factors to help prevent youth violence including mentoring, parental training and involvement, non-violent conflict resolution, social skill building and support systems in the community.

For more information about youth violence prevention resources, please visit www.idph.state.il.us.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 1560

An Act Concerning: Elections

Allows election authorities to close early voting locations on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter day in 2013 only.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2105

An Act Concerning: Health

Exempts certain townships that already provide specific mental health services from the requirement that a seven-person mental health advisory committee be established.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately