Press Release

McHenry County Treasurer Bill LeFew Introduces Another Payment Option For McHenry County Residents

August 08, 2002 - WOODSTOCK, IL — It's tax time again in McHenry County for residents to pay their second installment of real estate taxes which are due September 5, 2002. During the past month, McHenry County Treasurer Bill LeFew has been exploring other payment options to make life a little easier for taxpayers. Lefew announced today the availability of an additional online tax payment service option for McHenry County residents.

LeFew said the new service, known as SameDayPay, is available immediately for the second installment of property taxes. "The beauty of this pay option," he says, "is that residents can now also pay their taxes prior to the due date right from their computers, without the use of a credit card.

"By taking advantage of the latest technology and services available through the Internet," LeFew adds, " we not only are able to improve efficiencies and modernization at the Treasurer's Office, but we are able to save many residents from paying penalty dollars because they can now pay instantly right on their due date."

LeFew recently signed an agreement for the SameDayPay service with BankServ, a private electronic payments processor. BankServ (www.BankServ.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of Automated Clearing House (ACH) and Federal Reserve Wire Network (Fedwire) electronic payments processing for financial services companies, government, and businesses.

Under the new service, a taxpayer simply registers on-line at www.co.mchenry.il.us, clicks on the "pay your property taxes online" icon, then selects "Pay Taxes Checking Acct (ACH)"and chooses a user ID and password. Then registers the checking or savings account from which the payment will be made. The taxpayer's account will then be debited for the amount of the payment and a $3.00 service charge. The Treasurer's Office receives no portion of this fee. McHenry County will be notified the same day of all payments made by the payment deadline.

The SameDayPay service is available now through Sept. 5 to McHenry County residents. After Sept. 5, it will be necessary for taxpayers to contact the Treasurer's Office directly.