Kane County Chief Assessment Officer Elected to Leadership Role with State Association for County Officials

Kane County’s Supervisor of Assessments, Mark Armstrong, has been elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Illinois Association of County Officials (IACO), taking on a key leadership role. Congratulations to Mark on this well-deserved recognition.  Below is an article penned by Rebecca McNeil, the President of IACO, highlighting his service to Kane County and beyond.​

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If you’re not already familiar with him, let me introduce Mark Armstrong, CIAO-M, the Supervisor of Assessments for Kane County. With two decades of dedicated service in county government—starting as a member of the Kane County Board of Review and spending the last 18 years in his current role— Mark is a seasoned professional deeply committed to enhancing the field of property assessment. Mark will be joining your IACO Leadership as the incoming Secretary/Treasurer. 

When asked about his motivation to serve on the IACO Executive Board, Mark emphasized the organization’s importance at a critical time. He says, “While IACO is a healthy organization, I believe we are at a critical juncture. Our long-time administrator is retiring, and with the end of ARPA funding, county budgets will see increasing scrutiny. IACO will need to continually make the case of why participation in our organization (including attendance at our conferences) is worthy of the expenditure of public funds from the budgets of county officials. I believe our best path is continued cooperation among affiliates on topics of mutual interest, such as what has been done among the taxcycle affiliate organizations: our mutual cooperation makes us all stronger.”

Mark has played a vital role in providing relevant education and training for county officials, organizing engaging conferences, and ensuring the organization’s sustainable future. His extensive experience in continuing education and outreach reflects this commitment. He has led numerous sessions at both the IACO and the Illinois Property Assessment Institute (IPAI) State Conferences and has served as an instructor for the IPAI since 2013.

Additionally, Mark has authored two textbooks recognized by the Illinois Department of Revenue and has provided educational support to a diverse range of organizations, from the Illinois Department of Revenue to local bar associations. His dedication extends beyond assessments, as he has actively contributed to community education and leadership through various committees and boards. His contributions have earned him prestigious awards, including the CIAO-M designation and IACO’s County Official of the Year Award in 2019.

Make sure to take some time at the upcoming conference to chat with Mark and gain from his insight. IACO is lucky to have Mark Armstrong and he is excited to help lead IACO into a successful and sustainable future.