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Madison County delays penalty interest on first installment of 2019 property taxes until Sept. 9
Summary
The Madison County Board on May 22, 2020, unanimously approved a resolution postponing penalty interest on the first installment of 2019 (payable 2020) property taxes until Sept. 9, 2020, citing COVID-19 impacts; escrowed payments remain due and the original due date of July 9 is unchanged.
Madison County Board members unanimously voted May 22 to postpone the imposition of penalty interest on the first installment of 2019 (payable 2020) property taxes until Sept. 9, 2020, citing hardships tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resolution, read by Board member Phil Chapman and adopted under authority of 35 ILCS 200/21-40(C)(1)(B), states that penalties assessed for late payment of the first tax installment will be waived if taxpayers pay by Sept. 9. The measure does not change statutory due dates; the July 9 due date remains in effect, and escrowed tax payments collected by mortgage servicers are not affected by the county’s action.
Treasurer Slusser told the board the county reviewed three years of collections and found $450,000–$500,000 in penalties were assessed historically between July 9 and Sept. 9, but the county typically collects about $80,000 during that period. “So, it looks like it’s going to be about an $80k hit to the General Fund,” Slusser said. That estimate was presented as the treasurer’s fiscal projection to the board and not as a formal audit finding.
Board member McRae asked about the fiscal impact to the General Fund; Treasurer Slusser gave the estimate above and said the board’s intent is to help residents genuinely struggling because of the pandemic while relying on an honor system for people who choose to delay payment. When Board member Dalton asked whether taxpayers still must make payments on July 9, Slusser said the legal due date remains July 9 but the board is allowing two extra months in practice for those experiencing hardship. Board member Malone urged property owners who can pay to do so, saying local school districts could face funding pressures if collections fall short.
The motion to adopt the resolution passed by voice and roll call: AYES 22, NAYS 0. The board then recessed the special session until June 17, 2020.
The resolution text cites 35 ILCS 200/21-40(C)(1)(B) as the statutory authority for counties to modify certain provisions of the Property Tax Code following a disaster declaration. The county’s resolution makes clear it does not change installment due dates and that escrowed payments remain subject to their original schedules. The board indicated the postponement is intended as temporary relief during the public-health emergency; further action or review was not detailed at the meeting.
