Hoffman Backs Property Tax Relief Package

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.– To offer property tax relief for working families, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, supported a proposal Wednesday that cuts property taxes for middle-class families and seniors by increasing cost-saving exemptions, while giving local residents the ability to freeze their property taxes through a referendum.

“One of the biggest issues that I hear from residents is that they are struggling to keep up with property taxes that seem to go up every year,” Hoffman said. “No resident should have to consider moving simply because they can’t afford to pay the taxes where they live. This proposal is a step in the right direction.”

Hoffman supported Senate Bill 851, which increases the general homestead and senior citizens exemptions to $10,000 and $8,000, respectfully. Additionally, the proposal gives local homeowners the opportunity to freeze their property taxes through a referendum for a two-year period. If a referendum is successful, taxpayers would then have the opportunity to extend the freeze.

“It’s unfair that residents in Cook County are able to receive property tax relief that is not afforded to homeowners in the rest of the state,” Hoffman said. “This bipartisan measure fixes that problem, treats every resident of the state equally and brings real property tax relief to families in the Metro East.”

Senate Bill 851 passed the House with bipartisan support and awaits further action in the Senate.