The Illinois Personal Injury Weblog of Schaeffer & Lamere P.C.

Tax Protests in St. Clair County

From the Belleville News-Democrat: "County initiates review of tax protests: New assessor bucking backlog of problems," by Mike Fitzgerald--

The St. Clair County Board of Review this week began hearing the first of about 7,000 property tax protests -- a process taking place four months later than usual because of management problems uncovered just before Percy McKinney quit as county assessor late last year.

To avoid the same problems this year, new Assessor Gordon Bush announced Thursday the county will spend about $100,000 in the weeks ahead to:

• Hire up to six part-time field assessors.
• Buy eight handheld computers costing $2,500 apiece.
• Set up an Internet link with the Belleville Area Association of Realtors to record up-to-date property sales.

The improvements are being pursued "to ensure that we have fair and equitable tax assessments," Bush said during a news conference.

--Posted by Illinois Bextra attorney T. Evan Schaeffer of the Illinois personal injury firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

Martz Is Out

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Rams give Martz the boot," by Jim Thomas--

John Shaw wasted little time. With the blessing of team ownership, he phoned Mike Martz early Monday morning to inform him he was being terminated as head coach of the St. Louis Rams. Then, he immediately began working to find Martz's successor.

Even before an afternoon news conference to formally announce Martz's dismissal, the Rams already had received permission to interview Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. That interview is scheduled to take place at the end of this week in Chicago.

--Posted by St. Clair County Illinois workers compensation attorney T. Evan Schaeffer of Illinois personal injury law firm Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.