Morrison Approved by IL Historic Preservation Agency

The Morrison Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC) has announced that the City of Morrison has been approved for participation in the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency’s (IHPA) Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program (PTAF).

After being notified of the newly bestowed status, Tim Slavin, Chairman of the MHPC, related,

“Our Commission is thrilled that our request to participate was approved by the folks at IHPA. Being included in this initiative means that owners of a residence they occupy lying within a section of the local historic district covered by the City’s preservation ordinance or which is a Morrison Landmark, who undergo substantial renovation or rehabilitation to their home potentially stand to realize thousands of dollars in property tax relief and can be leant the expertise of an IHPA staff architect.

Upon certification, the property tax assessment of the real estate is frozen for eight years at the pre-renovation level, and then the higher value is phased in over another four year period.”

Morrison is now one of 44 communities state wide to have qualified for this historic preservation financial reward. The others so honored are: Belleville, Bloomington, Blue Island, Carbondale, Centralia, Charleston, Chicago, DeKalb, Elgin, Evanston, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Hinsdale, Jacksonville, Joliet, Kane County, Lake Bluff, Lemont, Lockport, Lombard, Marengo, McHenry County, Mount Carroll, Normal, Oak Park, O’Fallon, Orland Park, Peoria, Quincy, River Forest, Rock Island, Rockford, St. Charles, Springfield, Washington, West Chicago, Will County, Wilmette, Winnetka, and Woodstock.

Shortly after recognizing Morrison with this distinction, Catherine O’Connor, Manager of IHPA’s Local Government Services, noted that

“(t)he Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program can strengthen neighborhoods and housing by rewarding owner-occupants for sensitively reinvesting in their homes, increasing property values and encouraging landmark protection through the promotion, recognition, and designation of historic structures.  Owners of local landmark properties who are interested in the program should contact Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, before they plan their rehabilitation project.”

The Morrison Historic Preservation Commission is dedicated to helping local residents preserve the exterior architectural integrity of significant Morrison structures in an effort to present the kind of quality ambiance that attracts businesses and newcomers and, at the same time, realize the economic benefits of historic preservation and its attendant programs. The IHPA Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program is one of many possible financial benefits available to owners of properties that are local landmarks, in an historic district covered by an approved ordinance or on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information regarding the PTAF, please visit www.illinoishistory.gov/PS/taxfreeze.htm. or contact the Morrison Historic Preservation Agency at 815-772-7657.