Rep. Yingling Passes Property Tax Freeze, Expanded Relief for Lake County Residents out of House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Building upon his recent legislative success to streamline government and reduce the cost of government, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, passed a two-year property tax freeze with expanded relief for Lake County longtime homeowners and senior citizens in the House last week.

“Our current property tax system is simply not sustainable and forcing hard-working families and seniors out of their homes,” Yingling said. “Illinoisans must not continue to be crushed by out of control, increasing property taxes. My measure will provide immediate short-term relief while lawmakers continue to work for long-term property tax relief.”

Yingling passed Senate Bill 851 in the House with broad bi-partisan support. The measure implements a two-year property tax freeze with exemptions for debt service, pensions and schools in financial distress. Yingling’s bill also expands the general homestead and senior homestead exemptions by increasing the value to $10,000 and $8,000 respectively, putting Lake County homeowners on a level playing field with Cook County.

“Middle-class families must not continue to pay for decades of poor financial stewardship of local governments and the state,” Yingling said. “A temporary property tax freeze is a step in the right direction, but we ultimately must do more to lower the property tax burden for working families.”