Tax Man! It’s 2008!

I’m not one to complain-OK, I’m lying.  I admit it.  I’m a complainer.  Maybe someday I’ll write the lyrics for “I’m a Complainer” to be sung to the tune of the Monkee’s “I’m a Believer”.  But not today.  So where was I? Oh yes, I just came back from the bank to have my “2007 Long-Time Occupant Exemption Application” for property taxes notorized.    
I’ts not that I don’t appreciate any chance to have my taxes reduced in any way, but, you see, they ask you to enter your total household income, for 2006. This is the amount they will use to “determine level of relief”. Now, what is wrong with that? you may ask. Well, first of all, in 2006 I was working at a job I had been at for over 20 years and making a good salary (until they layed me off and screwed up my life). Secondly, I am now, in 2008, making much less than I was in 2006 because I am curently temping. If they base it on my salary from 2006, I will not get as much as I would if they based it on 2008 income. And now is the time I could really use it. Why can’t they get up to date and join the rest of us in 2008?
But like they say, you can’t fight city hall, or in this case, the Cook County Assessor’s Office. So I will be a good citizen and send it in, and hope I see a difference in my next tax bill.