Invalid ordinance means Harvey can't collect property taxes

HARVEY, Ill. (AP) - The Chicago suburb of Harvey can't collect property taxes in 2016 after Cook County officials determined the city's ordinance to collect the funds is invalid.

Mayor Eric Kellogg and City Clerk Nancy Clark last month filed the ordinance with the county clerk's office as required by law. However, the measure had been voted down by the council due to concerns over the mayor's refusal to provide them with information about city finances.

A spokesman for Cook County Clerk David Orr told the Chicago Tribune (trib.in/1ZQYmyE) that after consulting with the state's attorney's office, it was concluded the levy filed by the mayor and city clerk "was not legally valid."

Harvey spokesman Sean Howard said in a statement city officials disagree with the county's decision and looks forward to a resolution of the issue, preferably without court action.