Wednesday, March 12, 2008

* Greasing the Tax Man's Palm

You need to be some sort of nuclear mathematician to figure out how we get taxed and why. The formula is pretty complex. But one thing you don't need to be a genius to figure out -- something doesn't add up when it comes to paying taxes on the Old North Shore School building.

I took a look into what they must be paying in taxes on the property and came up with more questions than answers. Check it out.

Assessed Value Adjusted - Appeal # 9000372
11-29-321-003-0000 - 1217 West Chase


Applicant: ASHLAND SUPPLY CO.
Representative: LAW OFFICES OF ARNOLD G. SIEGEL

2006 - $0 (Under Control of North Shore School.)
2007 - $358,362 (When this property got put on the tax rolls.)
2007 - (appeal on June 8, 2007 - the value dropped like a lead balloon. Down to $78,476.)

$279,886 difference.

Funny thing about this. When you hire Mr. Seigel, it's like hiring a instant BIG reduction on your tax bill. Mr. Seigel knows how the system works. Check it out.

Siegel, Arnold
20 N. Clark
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602
$500.00
11/23/2004
Individual Contribution
Committee to Re-Elect Larry R Rogers, Jr
  
Siegel, Arnold
20 N. Clark
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602
Occupation: attorney
Employer: Arnold G. Siegel
$750.00
5/19/2005
Individual Contribution
Committee to Re-Elect Larry R Rogers, Jr
 
Siegel, Arnold
20 N. Clark
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602
Occupation: attorney
Employer: Arnold G. Siegel
$250.00
9/21/2005
Individual Contribution
Committee to Re-Elect Larry R Rogers, Jr
 
Siegel, Arnold
20 N. Clark
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602
Occupation: attorney
Employer: Arnold G. Siegel
$500.00
12/19/2005
Individual Contribution
Committee to Re-Elect Larry R Rogers, Jr
 
Siegel, Arnold
20 N. Clark
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602
Occupation: attorney
Employer: Arnold G. Siegel
$1,000.00
3/16/2006
Individual Contribution
Committee to Re-Elect Larry R Rogers, Jr
 
Siegel, Arnold
20 N. Clark
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602
Occupation: attorney
Employer: Arnold G. Siegel
$900.00
12/2/2006
Individual Contribution
Committee to Re-Elect Larry R Rogers, Jr
 
Siegel, Arnold
20 N. Clark
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602
Occupation: attorney
Employer: Arnold G. Siegel
$900.00
3/27/2007
Individual Contribution
Committee to Re-Elect Larry R Rogers, Jr

See, all those campaign contributions DO PAY OFF. Guess who Larry Rogers is? You don't know?

Okay... I'll tell you. He's on the Cook County tax review board.

Now, here's a comparable appeal on the same block, same street - nearly same assessed property value to adjust, without the help of Mr. Seigel. Check it out.

Assessed Value Adjusted
11-29-321-002-0000 - 1231 West Chase


2006 - $243,243
2007 - $378,645
2007 - $330,000 (appealed)

A paltry $48,645 difference.

Wow... $231,241 dollar difference in the properties. Next time I recommend this owner try Mr. Seigel. He gets far better results.

21 comments:

Dr O said...

Can we be serious? How is something like this POSSIBLY legal?!?
One guy is being forced to resign his position because he can't keep his zipper shut, but these people continue to operate!
Rule of governing...graft is okay, just don't have sex involved.

Charlie Didrickson said...

I agree that the above "process" is total bullshit but.......

2007 - $358,362 (When this property got put on the tax rolls.)

$358,362.00 in property taxes? And people wonder why they sell buildings to developers and they go condo. So who is the likely candidate that is NOT a not- for profit to buy and utilize this property?

I think the initial tax is the real story Craig.

Hugh said...

$358,362.00 in property taxes?

no

adjusted assessed valuation

Hugh said...

did Treim get a steal?

...a $360K property for $240K

or ripped off?

...paying $240K for a property that's only worth $78K

this deal does not pass the smell test

something is fishy and it's not alewives washing up on the shore in the Spring

we need to better understand the dissolution of North Shore School "not-for-profit", who is in the trust that owns this property, and what the real terms of the "sale" were

been there said...

sounds like they were able to show that the building was unusable, probably already slated for demolition, and soon to be a parking lot.
i don't have a problem with that. that is exactly the kind of situation the board of appeals is there for.

Charlie Didrickson said...

$358,362.00 in property taxes?

no

adjusted assessed valuation

Thanks You

I'm an idiot with this kinda thing.....

Craig Gernhardt said...

Mo Cahill, you need let the medication wear off before commenting.

In fact, GO AWAY. I could care less what your fucking opinion is.

bloglurker49 said...

Mo:
STOP MAKING SENSE! You know how that confuses and upsets Craig!

Hugh said...

"sounds like they were able to show that the building was ... already slated for demolition"

you mean the property tax lawyer was able to prove the fix was in?

the demo was not approved until 1/23/08

Building Permit Status

1217 W CHASE AVE

Description: WRECK AND REMOVE A 2-1/2 STORY COMMERCIAL BRICK BUILDING.

FINAL DATA REVIEW 01/22/2008
APPROVED

The owners of this address received a permit on 01/23/2008

I live here too said...

jeez, I would have paid an even $250,000 for that property. That's the real story. How was that parcel acquired for only $241,000?
Was that the true price? I find it hard to believe that an oversized lot, East of Sheridan rd, could be had for that.

Natas said...

You know, some one would expect a lame derogatory comment from me, but now, Craig, you are really showing your true colors

Keep commenting Mo, the scumbag better known as craig might get his panties in a bunch and die - I know wishful thinking

Craig Gernhardt said...

ILHT. No doubt.

If that was the asking price, Joe didn't look too hard to find higher bidders. I too would've bought this property for that price. I would've gone up to 1/2 million.

But then, I wouldn't give Joe a penny in campaign contributions. That's why I wasn't offered this deal of the decade.

Hugh said...

$240K is obviously ridiculous

this deal had terms beyond the up-front cash

Bill Morton said...

North Shore School was in excellent condition before demoliton. Any allegations of mold, water damage, or disrepair are lies.

In fact, as they tore off the facade of the building, you could see books on the shelves and desks in the classrooms. Everything was in perfect working order for a day of class.

The Science lab had student experiments and homework, the computer room had computers set up, class schedules and learning plans were on classroom walls, diagrams maps, and school supplies were also in place. There was a sign on one of the demolition barriers that said "Please save the Piano! I will buy it", with a phone number attached.

The North Shore School had a full sized gym with a stage upstairs and a bowling alley downstairs. If this wasn't the community center that we needed to educate the youth and keep them from the gangs, I don't know what was.

Craig Gernhardt said...

No one made any attempt to save (or sell) anything, Bill.

Fargo Woman said...

School supplies? Books? COMPUTERS? Are you fucking kidding me? Why weren't these items saved and given to students or at the very least to another school? This is absurd. Shameful. Is it too late to contact the media? Is anyone getting any of this on film? This is sickening. I know lots of kids who would love to have a computer - hell, they'd be happy with some new school supplies. Science equipment? WHAT? This is outrageous!
Let me understand this - she had to wait 8 months before the demolition order was released, right? She (or someone from the Alderman's office) couldn't have contacted a local school or church or any of the other non-profits around here and have them come and strip the place of useful furniture, equipment and supplies? Is that really true? But come August, Alderman Moore is going to use our tax dollars to purchase school supplies to give out at some falderall grand poo pa pa neighborhood hug fest? Where's the sense in any of this?
Seriously, IS it too late to contact the media and ask them to cover this or is it already pretty much demolished? DID anyone film this like when the city workers were so busy doing nothing last year? Please let me know. Thanks.
- PEACE -

Bill Morton said...

fargo woman,

I took a lot of pictures, and managed to save some items from the demolition. No luck finding the piano though, it must have been on the first or second floor.

The Science lab (crushed last afternoon) was in the basement, along with a cafeteria, bowling alley, and storage of school desks and other supplies.

This demolition is the pinnacle of Rogers Park waste.

been there said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Craig Gernhardt said...

Mo's comment deleted because it brings nothing to the table but apologizing for Joe.

Mo unless Joe has hired you as his official mouth-piece, move on.

Hugh said...

correction

additional documentation indicates North Shore School apparently sold for $2.4M

identity of buyer still unconfirmed

still no independent confirmation of Moore's claim that Treim is the owner or the only owner

Hugh said...

new issue

where did the $2.4M go?

'Broken Heart' Past Blogs