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Assessor's Office

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1. How is the value of my house determined?

The value of your house is based on the prior three-year sales of properties with comparable attributes in your surrounding area.

2. What do I do if I believe my tax bill is incorrect?

First, analyze your bill to make certain all eligible exemptions have been applied. Next, look at the assessed value and, if you feel it is necessary, file an appeal with the Monroe County Board of Review.

3. The square footage calculations on my home are different than recorded by the Assessor. How do I address this?

The square footage is obtained by using the outside perimeter of the property. Make sure that your assessment is also determined by the outside perimeter and not the inside perimeter.

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County Clerk

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1. What is the fee to record a standard document?

$33 for up to four pages for a deed, mortgage, release, etc., plus a separate $10 check to Monroe County Mapping & Platting to cover the cost of the document review.

2. What is the cost of a marriage license, and do we need a blood test? When can we apply?

The cost of a marriage license is $25. Both bride and groom need to appear with a photo ID to obtain the license. A blood test is no longer required of applicants. A license becomes effective one day after the date of issuance, and expires 60 days after it becomes effective if the marriage has not been performed.

3. I live in Monroe County, but was born in Florida. Can I get a certified copy of my Birth Certificate from your office?

Certified copies of Birth Certificates have to be obtained from the county where an individual was born.

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County Commissioner's Office

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1. When are County Board Meetings held?

County Board Meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month, beginning at 8:00 am in the County Boardroom.

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Geographic Information System (GIS)

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1. What is GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software and data for capturing, managing, analyzing and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. For more details click on What is GIS.

2. What can GIS do for Monroe County?

GIS allows users to work with an interactive map to locate and view property maps along with a wide variety of other spatial features, i.e., citiy limits, streams, soil types, flood zones, etc. Information such as properties assessed over $1,000,000 or properties within 250 ft. of a selected parcel, can be displayed on a map or viewed as tabular data. Prior to GIS these types of questions would have taken days or months to draw the results on a map.

3. Can you purchase data and/or maps?

Data and maps are available for purchase, however, a signed disclaimer must accompany the payment. For more information contact the GIS Coordinator by e-mail at mocogis@yahoo.com. Disclaimer

4. Can printed maps be mailed?

Mailing printed maps is at the discretion of the GIS Coordinator. For contact information please see the GIS web page.

5. Are the parcel boundaries the same as legal surveyed boundaries?

No, the parcel boundaries on GIS maps are for location purposes only. In order to obtain legal surveyed boundaries contact a licensed surveyor.

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Highway Department

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1. Who is my road commissioner?

Reference the Road Maintenance Road Responsibility Map, make note of the number on the map that corresponds to your location, and then reference the Road District Commissioners Directory. Road Commissioners Directory

2. I have a dead deer in front of my house. Who should I contact to remove it?

The County Highway Department or the Road District will remove any large animal that is located within the road right of way.

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Mapping and Platting

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1. Can you locate my property corners?

You need to contact a private surveyor.

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Marriage Licenses

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1. Do we need a blood test before getting our marriage license?

No, blood tests are no longer required for couples getting married.

2. We live in Monroe County, but are getting married in Forest Park. Can we get a marriage license in Monroe County?

No, you must get your Marriage License in the County where you will be married.

3. Can we get our Marriage License on the day we are getting married?

No, your license will have to be acquired at least one day prior to your wedding.

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Treasurer's Office

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1. How do I pay my property tax bill?

The Treasurer/Collector's office accepts cash, check or money orders made payable to the Monroe County Collector. You may pay by mail,in person during regular business hours at the Treasurer's Office located in the Monroe County Courthouse, or use the convenient drop box located in the circle drive of the Monroe County Courthouse facing Market Street.

2. Who do I make the check payable to?

Please make your check or money order payable to "Monroe County Collector".

3. If I pay by mail do you honor the postmark?

Yes, if your payment is mailed and postmarked on or before the due date your payment will be considered as paid on time. This DOES NOT apply to delinquent taxes.

4. Can I use my credit card for payment?

Yes, payments may be made via the internet using Master Card, Visa, Visa Debit Card, American Express or Discover Card through the Illinois E-Pay website. A convenience fee will be applied to each transaction based upon the amount you are paying. For your information the website provides a convenience fee schedule.

5. Can I make online payments from my bank account electronically?

Yes, The Monroe County Treasurer's Office accepts electronic transfer of funds, or E-Checks, through the Illinois E-Pay website. A convenience fee of $1.40 per transaction will apply and payments will be accepted from the time real estate bills are mailed through the last installment date.

6. Can I make pre-payments on my bill?

Yes, we encourage pre-payments towards your tax amount. If you would like more information regarding pre-paying your tax bill, please contact the Treasurer's Office.

7. How do I protest my taxes?

You cannot protest your taxes. You may,however, appeal your assessment. Contact the Assessor's Office for more details.

8. How can I check to see if my real estate taxes are paid?

You ensure your payment was received by the Monroe County Treasurer/Collector's office, you may call us at 618-939-8681, ext. 213 or click on Parcel Inquiry

9. I was told I do not have to pay anything by the first due date, that I can wait until the last due date to pay my entire bill without penalty. Is this true?

No, each installment will be assessed an interest penalty if not paid by the date it is due.

10. My real estate taxes are escrowed through my mortgage company, How does the mortgage company know what my taxes are?

When you escrow your taxes with a mortgage company, they have you sign a letter authorizing them to pay your taxes. The mortgage company sends this office a copy of your authorization letter along with a request for your tax bill. When the tax bills are printed we send out two copies of your tax bill. One copy is sent to your mortgage company and the other copy is sent to you, the property owner, with an enclosed note stating your mortgage company requested a copy of your bill.

11. Why do you send me a tax bill if you send one to my mortgage company?

Regardless of whether a property owner escrows their tax payment, they are still responsible for that tax payment. Should there be miscommunications with the mortgage company or other issues with the payment, the property owner has a record of the amount of taxes and when they are due.

12. Who is responsible for penalties or late fees if my mortgage company does not pay my taxes by the due dates?

When a mortgage company holds money in escrow for property tax payments, it is their obligation to pay the appropriate amount in a timely manner. Should a mistake or miscommunication occur, the mortgage company is responsible for all penalties and fees incurred. These fees and penalties are to come out of their corporate account and not the escrow account in their keeping.

13. What happens if I can't pay my taxes by the due date?

After each due date, an interest penalty is applied at the rate of 1.5% per month. The penalty is not prorated and a separate penalty applies to each installment. If you need to know the exact amount of your interest penalty, or would like more information, please contact the Treasurer's office at 939-8681, ext. 213.

14. What if I can't pay my taxes at all this year, will I lose my property?

The law in Illinois states that all taxes must be collected and distributed. If you cannot pay part or all of your property taxes in a certain year, the unpaid portion, including interest penalties, will be sold at the delinquent tax sale. Your property will NOT be sold at tax sale. For more information see the web page titled Delinquent Tax Sale.

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Zoning

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1. How do I obtain a building permit?

The application for a building permit can be downloaded from this site.