Chad Jones, Peoria County's supervisor of assessments, told the Ways and Means Committee the office's primary workload is handling "board review appeals," including several commercial appeals and frequent hearings.

"Main thing we're working on right now is board review appeals," Jones said, adding that the office has been holding hearings "4 days a week" to process cases. He reported township assessors for Akron, Princeville and Halleck townships are retiring effective Jan. 1 and that staff are working with township leaders to identify prospective assessors to prevent the county from having to take on the work and then bill the township.

Jones said some township assessors are of similar age and nearing retirement, and that the office is hopeful for younger replacements. The report was informational; no committee action followed.