Slaughter Backs Property Tax Fairness for Cook County Seniors

CHICAGO – To provide Cook County seniors with easier access to needed property tax relief, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is supporting legislation that would eliminate a provision that requires local seniors to reapply annually for tax exemptions.

“Seniors in Cook County must reapply for property tax exemptions each year, making it difficult to receive the tax relief they need while living on fixed incomes,” Slaughter said. “Seniors in other Illinois counties are not required to do this, and it is important that we make sure Cook County residents are not unfairly burdened.”

The Slaughter-backed Senate Bill 1257 removes Cook County’s requirement for seniors to reapply annually for the Senior Homestead Exemption. Under this legislation, the exemption would remain on a property as long as the senior resides there. The current exemption for seniors in Cook stands at $8,000 and applies to people who are 65 and older and pay property taxes on their home.

“Seniors in our community often struggle to make ends meet, and they should not be faced with the added obstacle of annual property tax exemption applications,” Slaughter said. “Protecting seniors from unnecessary tax increases is one of my top priorities, and this legislation will help ensure that they are able to afford to stay in their homes.”