By Angela Hatton / Associated Press
Springfield, IL – A new state law that takes effect Saturday in Illinois could mean steeper property taxes for certain mobile home owners. It requires a factory-assembled home on private land that's not part of a mobile home park to be taxed as real property. Previously, such properties were taxed at 15 cents per square foot - a rate that drops over time as the home ages. The change could mean more than a thousand dollar tax increase for some home owners. Any such home assessed prior to the law taking effect will be exempted until that home is sold, transferred, or relocated. Backers of the measure say it will clear confusion and inconsistency statewide over how such properties are taxed.