Stuart Votes to Provide Homeowners, Seniors with Additional Property Tax Relief

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To provide tax relief to middle-class homeowners and seniors, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, voted to pass a property tax relief proposal out of the House this week.

“When I am out in our community and going door-to-door talking to families, I constantly hear from people who have worked hard to purchase a home and provide for their families, but fear that they can no longer afford to stay in Illinois because of the cripplingly high property taxes they are faced with,” Stuart said. “It’s why I’m supporting legislation like Senate Bill 851 to provide real, meaningful property tax relief to families and seniors on fixed incomes. Middle-class families need to feel that homeownership in Illinois is still a viable option for them, and property tax relief is a huge part of that.”

Senate Bill 851 empowers voters in the Metro East to choose to enact a two-year property tax freeze. Additionally, Stuart’s legislation gives parity to local homeowners by increasing the value of the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption to from $5,000 to $8,0000 and the value of the General Homestead Exemption from $6,000 to $10,0000.

“High property taxes make it more difficult for families to keep their homes and raise a family while saving for the future,” Stuart continued. “I will continue to work hard to alleviate the tax burden on our communities.”