Thousands Apply For Valley Hi Nursing Home Rebate

From the McHenry County Government: With five weeks to go before the deadline, more than 35,000 county homeowners have applied for a rebate from the Valley Hi Nursing Home fund surplus.

Homeowners have until July 31 to apply for the rebate, which allows them to recoup just under
30 percent of county government’s share of last year’s property tax bill.

“The response by McHenry County’s homeowners has been phenomenal, and the application
period isn’t even half over yet,” County Board Chairman Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said.
“Homeowners have applied for slightly more than $6 million of the $15 million that the County
Board voted to allocate. We’re safely and responsibly rebating a portion of a significant excess
fund reserve while at the same time improving and expanding Valley Hi’s services.”

To be eligible, homeowners had to have taken the homestead exemption during the 2017 tax
year for bills payable in 2018, had to have paid their taxes, and had to have occupied the house
on April 16, 2019. The amount of the rebate will be calculated by a formula based on the
amount the homeowner paid in taxes to county government in 2018. About 88,000 properties in
McHenry County potentially qualify. For example, a homeowner who last year paid $500 in
property taxes to county government would get just under $150 back.

People can apply online from the county website at www.mchenrycountyil.gov, and hard copies
of the application are available during regular business hours at the McHenry County
Treasurer’s Office, 2100 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. The website includes a list of frequently
asked questions, and people who have additional questions can email them to
VHRebate@mchenrycountyil.gov.

Qualifying homeowners can expect to receive their check in the mail in late September or early
October. Unclaimed funds from the rebate will go back to Valley Hi, which even if all $15 million
is allocated will be left with about $25 million.