Forest Incentive Programs - Property Taxes for Illinois

Type of Tax

Current Use Value Tax., productivity index gives a range of values for “other farmland” based on agricultural crops using soils

Law

35 ILCS 200/10-150, P.A 88-455, 89-445 effective 2-7-96

Objective

To preserve forest land base and prevent taxes from confiscating such land

Requirements

Minimum of 5 acres

Forest management plan (cost-shared with state) approved by DNR

10 year minimum enrollment and property inspection

There are not any penalties for withdrawing; however, landowners are required to pay back any cost-shares they received.

Program Administration

Department of Revenue establishes guidelines and rules

Department of Forestry approves forest management plan and inspects property every 10 years

County Tax Assessor administers program at county and town level

Faculty from the University of Illinois, College of Agriculture determine production costs and soil productivity indices