Longtime Green Garden Township Assessor Jane Bushong resigned her position, effective Sept. 17.
Bushong announced her departure in a lengthy statement on social media, but did not explain why she quit.
She did not respond or acknowledge a reporter’s email asking for comment or an explanation.
A special town board meeting was scheduled for “discussion and potential action to accept the resignation.”
In her statement, Bushong wrote, “It is with full heart and careful consideration that I submit my resignation as Green Garden Township Assessor, effective immediately.
“Serving the residents of this township for many years has been one of the great privileges of my life.
“This Assessor administration completed the huge task of fully automating the township’s assessment process using a CAMA (computer aided mass appraisal) software system. Prior to this automation, all township property records were maintained on manual paper cards and were not readily available online to verify assessment data (building characteristics, etc.).
“Over the years, using business automation processes, Assessor Bushong was able to fully utilize the CAMA system, so Green Garden Township residents have the capability to now view not only their assessment values yet also verify their building characteristics for accuracy. All of this detailed assessment information can be found online at www.willcountysoa.com.
“I am proud that this office earned a reputation for accuracy, transparency, and fair treatment of every property owner,” she said.
“I loved meeting and assisting so many of our wonderful residents in our township. My heart especially goes out to all of the seniors and veterans which the Assessor’s office was able to provide special services over the many years.
“Thank you for the trust the residents of this township placed in me. It has been my honor.
“For questions or concerns,” she added, “please either email: Supervisor@greengardentownship.com or call the SOA directly at 815-740-4648.”
Township Supervisor Dean Christofilos confirmed that Bushong was out, but later emphasized that he did not ask for her resignation and did not want her to resign.
The resignation has to be formally accepted by the board.
“To make it official, the board must vote to accept the assessor’s resignation,
he said.
A special meeting on that topic was set for Monday night.
One options would be to replace her as Assessor.
- Any replacement must hold a currently active Certified Illinois Assessing Officer designation conferred by the Illinois Property Assessment Institute.
- Any replacement must be a legal resident of Green Garden Township.
- Political Party Rule: The appointee must belong to the same political party.
A second option would be to contract with an outside qualified assessor, someone not a resident of Green Garden.
Third, if the board cannot find a qualified person, the Will County Supervisor of Assessments would take over the assessment work. The SOA would then bill the township for services.
“It is always a challenge to fill the vacancy of a professional assessor that has done a really good job for our township,” he said. “I am hopeful that we can find a person from our township or contract a person outside of our township who is a qualified professional to fill the vacancy.
“I have always appreciated the assessor’s work on behalf of our residents. I have had a good relationship with Jane. I think she does a really good job.”