1440 Hearthstone Lane, North Aurora. The 3,200-square-foot home has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a Whirlpool tub, all stainless steel kitchen, hardwood floors, professional landscaping and a large concrete patio.

23 Washington Court, Plainfield. The 1,564-square-foot condo has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, two decks and a separate fenced-in yard.

2107 W. Race Ave., Chicago. The 2,052-square-foot home has 2 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a multi-level rooftop deck and outdoor fireplace, large windows to let the sunshine in, a steam shower with full-body spray and soaking tub in the master bathroom and heated floors.

1207 Maple Ave., Evanston. The 4,300-square-foot home has 6 bedrooms, 3 baths, oak floors and gorgeous stained glass. The home was built in 1893 but has been beautifully restored and updated.

6 N. Michigan Ave., Unit 1901. The one-of-a-kind penthouse in the former Montgomery Ward Observatory covers 6,000 square feet of living space over four floors. Amenities include a master suite that takes up the entire third floor, 20-foot ceilings, spectacular views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan, and more than 2,000 square feet of outdoor space, including a wrap-around terrace.

1730 W. Altgeld St. Chicago. The 4,200-square-foot home has 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, a steam room, two roof-top decks, an outdoor fireplace, a wine refrigerator, a huge walk-in shower in the master bathroom, a finished basement and detached garage.

5529 Webster St., Downers Grove. The 3,622-square-foot home has 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, a walk-in pantry, all stainless steel kitchen and a breakfast room.

16053 Owens Road, Hinkley. The 2,950-square-foot home has 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. This is a modern farmhouse on 2.21 acres with a large barn and a 40-foot-by-40-foot workshop in its own separate outbuilding.

1515 Newport Lane, Inverness. The 3,630-square-foot home has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a 3-car heated garage, a large backyard and is located in the popular Glencrest subdivision.

Illinois' highest-in-the-nation property taxes are eroding home equity and depressing home values across the state. This report is part of a SYHN News Service series on recent home sales that demonstrate the consequences