Water Billing
- How many days to I have to pay my water bill after it comes?
- How often will I receive a water bill?
- Why is there a “minimum bill” even if you use no water?
- Do I receive a break (on the sanitary sewer portion of my bill) during the summer for watering my lawn?
- Is there a convenient way to pay my water & sewer bill?
- What if I suspect I have a water leak or the water meter is not accurate?
- Am I assessed penalties if I don’t pay my water bill on time?
- What if I am planning on being out of the area when my water bill normally comes?
Concerning My Residence
- What do I need to do about my water bill when I am getting ready to sell my home?
- Do I need to register my pet(s) at the Village?
- Who is responsible to purchase the Real Estate Transfer Stamp or obtain an exemption letter?
- Are there any exemptions from purchasing a Real Estate Transfer Stamp?
Real Estate Taxes and the Budget
- How is the value of my home assessed for my property tax?
- Why is the Village property tax so high?
- What does the Village use property tax money for?
- What percentage of the property tax do the businesses in the Village pay?
- What percentage of the money collected by the Village goes toward police protection?
- How much does the Village derive from traffic fines each year?
- How much does the Village collect from all taxes?
- Is the Village required to balance its budget each year?
Other Related Finance Questions
Water Billing
1. How many days do I have to pay my water bill after it comes?
Water bills are normally mailed out on the first business day of the month and are due on the 25th of each month.
2. How often will I receive a water bill?
All customers are billed monthly, including residents vacationing out of state during the winter months.
3. Why is there a “minimum bill” even if you use no water?
Even without consumption, the water (and sewer) pipes must be kept in proper functioning condition 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 12 months a year. The men and materials required in maintaining that immediate service level do cost money. Those expenses must be jointly shared between all potential users. A minimum bill is calculated by assuming 4,000 gallons of usage each month.
4. Do I receive a break (on the sanitary sewer portion of my bill) during the summer for watering my lawn?
Lake County and the Village have agreed upon a sanitary sewer credit during a specific summer period. This credit reflects the fact that all water used during the summer does not return through the sanitary sewer system. The agreed-upon period during which the credit is applied includes the bills for July through October. The credit is applied when summer usage exceeds 120% of the average usage during the eight months preceding the start of the summer season. For questions regarding the sewer, credit click HERE or contact the Finance Clerk at 847-913-2302 (Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.).
5. Is there a convenient way to pay my water & sewer bill?
Yes, Go to Bill Payments for payment options.
6. What if I suspect I have a water leak or the water meter is not accurate?
Call the Village of Lincolnshire at 847-883-8600 to schedule a high water usage appointment.
7. Am I assessed penalties if I don’t pay my water bill on time?
A 10% late fee is added to all water bill payments not received by the due date.
8. What if I am planning on being out of the area when my water bill normally comes?
You should call the Utility Billing Clerk at 847-883-8600 and make plans to pay in advance, or you can enroll in our automatic withdrawal plan.
Concerning My Residence
1. What do I need to do about my water bill when I am getting ready to sell my home?
As soon as your closing date has been scheduled, call the Water Billing Department to set up a final water bill reading. The reading will be scheduled 3 to 5 days before the closing. The final water bill must be paid before the buyers of the property can come in to purchase real estate transfer stamps. These transfer stamps must be brought to the closing. Without a paid final water bill from the seller and purchaser of real estate transfer stamps from the buyer, the deed will not be recorded. Therefore, it is imperative the seller set up this appointment as soon as the closing date has been scheduled.
2. Do I need to register my pet(s) at the Village?
Pets do not have to be registered in the Village.
3. Who is responsible to purchase the Real Estate Transfer Stamp or obtain an exemption letter?
It is the buyer's responsibility to obtain the transfer stamp or exemption letter. For more details click here.
4. Are there any exemptions from purchasing a Real Estate Transfer Stamp?
Common transactions where an exemption letter (instead of a transfer stamp) will be issued:
- Transactions in which the actual consideration is less than $1,000.00 (i.e. moving property into a trust). Requests for this type of transaction need to include:
- A copy of the executed deed (not the original).
- The deed must contain both the address and PIN in order to prepare the exemption letter.
- A contact name and phone number in case of questions.
- A mailing address for the completed letter.
- When the property is outside Lincolnshire corporate limits (i.e. homes in nearby, unincorporated areas). Requests for this type of transaction need to include:
- A copy of the PTAX 203, MyDec document from MyTax Illinois, or deed (not the original).
- A contact name and phone number in case of questions.
- A mailing address for the completed letter.
Send your requests for exemption letters via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), fax (847-883-8608), or regular mail at 1 Olde Half Day Rd., Lincolnshire, IL 60069.
Real Estate Taxes and the Budget
1. How is the value of my home assessed for my property tax?
The Vernon Township Assessor is responsible for valuing all taxable parcels of property within the township.
2. Why is the Village property tax so high?
Actually, only about 2.9% of your property tax payment goes to the Village Hall. The remainder of the payment is disbursed to other local government agencies to fund their operations (see chart below). The Village of Lincolnshire has been in the 2.3 - 2.9% range for the last ten years. As an example, a residence having a market value of $500,000 will have an assessed, taxable value of about a third that amount (or $165,000). The property tax bill is based on the taxable value and will total about $13,954; of that, the Village of Lincolnshire only receives around $407.
3. What does the Village use property tax money for?
The 2.9% of your property tax payment distributed to the Village of Lincolnshire is used to fund police protection services and pension costs. The remainder of your tax payment is distributed to other local government agencies (see chart above).
4. What percentage of the property tax do the businesses in the Village pay?
The Village businesses contribute approximately 29% of all property tax money.
5. What percentage of the money collected by the Village goes toward police protection? (vehicle patrols, traffic control, community education, etc)
Approximately 15.3% of the total Village 2020 Budget is spent on police activities.
6. How much does the Village derive from traffic fines each year?
The Village takes in approximately $200,000 annually.
7. How much does the Village collect from all taxes?
Approximately 85.7% of general fund revenues come from taxes. Licenses and fees, traffic fines, state grants, and investment earnings contribute to the remaining 14.3% of revenues.
8. Is the Village required to balance its budget each year?
Yes. In some years, withdrawals from cash reserves are needed to balance the budget. During those times a huge capital project (for example, North Park) exceeds the revenue that can be brought in.
Other Related Finance Questions
1. Where can I register to vote?
Voter registration may be completed:
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In-person at Village Hall, Vernon Township (3050 N. Main Street, Buffalo Grove), early voting sites (when open), Lake County Clerk’s Office in Waukegan, and most libraries
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Online at Illinois Online Voter Registration
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By mail (application)
If you move to Lake County from another county or another state, you must complete a new registration application.
If you move within Lake County you do not need to register again but you do need to provide a written notification of your new address and sign the request.
Questions? Click HERE.
2. Does the Village have a Notary?
Yes, notary services may be completed at Village Hall during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments are preferred and can be made by calling 847-883-8600.
- Please bring current, unexpired photo identification with a signature issued by a U.S. state or federal government agency such as a Driver’s License, State ID Card, U.S. Military ID, or U.S. Passport.
- Please do not sign the document beforehand.
- Documents must be in English and must be complete.
- Proper notarial certificates must be on the documents being notarized.
- We are unable to notarize any real estate documents pertaining to Cook County.
- Due to Illinois notary law, we are unable to certify copies.
- We are unable to complete or notarize government Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
