(La Porte County, IN) - Property taxes are being driven up in a new hot spot locally for Chicago area residents.

La Porte County Assessor Mike Schultz said Galena Township is the latest area to be impacted by Illinois's migration by people building what are often second homes.  “That’s the haven for the Chicago group now.  They like to buy 10 acres, 15 acres, and put a little mansion out there,” he said.

Schultz said the benefit to property owners in northern LaPorte County with new neighbors is higher land values, but the result is higher property tax bills.  The tax bills are based on a property's assessed valuation.

Schultz said La Porte County residents, surprised by skyrocketing property taxes, also happened years ago during the rush across the state line to the Long Beach area.  “The person who lived on the lake all of those years, they were able to manage their taxes, but then all of a sudden the price just went through the roof. That’s what’s happening in some of these areas,” Schultz said.