Manley Supports Proposal to Freeze Property Taxes, Help Homeowners

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of her effort to work reach a bi-partisan compromise on the budget, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, voted to provide much needed property tax relief to homeowners.

“Since taking office, the number one concern that I hear from constituents across the 98th District is that property taxes are too high,” Manley said. “I have voted over 19 times to freeze property taxes, in addition to voting to increase exemptions and provide immediate relief to homeowners. This legislation combines both of these proposals in an effort to reign in skyrocketing property taxes for homeowners in our community.

Manley sponsored Senate Bill 484, which meets the governor’s request to freeze property taxes for four years and help meet the his demands in order to get put a budget in place. This property tax freeze applies to all units of government, except the most financially distressed school districts.

The proposal also increases property tax exemptions for homeowners, seniors and veterans. Under this proposal the homeowner occupied property tax exemption is increased to $8,000. The exemption available to seniors also increases from $5,000 to $6,000 under this legislation. The measure creates the Disabled Persons Freeze, which will be similar to the Senior Property Tax Freeze, but will only be available to individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income from the federal government. To help veterans and their families, the bill allows veterans with a 20 to 30 percent disability and veterans over the age of 75 to qualify for a $2,500 exemption.

“I am glad that we were able to finally pass meaningful property tax relief,” Manley said. “This in conjunction with the change in the school funding formula, that works to decrease reliance on property taxes to fund education are much needed steps to address high property tax rates across the state.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.