Hurley Named to New Property Tax Relief Task Force

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, will work to reform the property tax system and provide relief for local homeowners as a member on the newly established Property Tax Relief Task Force.

“Taxpayers in my community deserve relief from property taxes, as those taxes are forcing too many people out of Illinois,” said Hurley. “We need to find solutions that put middle-class families first and provide real relief for those who need it most.”

Hurley passed Senate Bill 1932, which created the Property Tax Relief Task Force. The measure was signed into law Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and Hurley was chosen to represent the House Democratic Caucus on the bipartisan panel. Within 90 days, the task force will produce a report outlining structural and legislative reforms that will provide both short- and long-term relief for homeowners. 

Hurley also backed the creation of the Property Tax Relief Fund, which will provide tax rebates to qualifying homeowners, helping them lower their property tax bills. Additionally, Hurley easing the burden on Cook County seniors, who are currently forced to reapply for a senior property tax exemption every year. As a result of that burdensome rule, nearly 30,000 Cook County seniors did not reapply for their exemptions last year. Hurley’s measure allows seniors to keep their exemptions without reapplying.

“Republicans and Democrats must work together to provide tax relief for Illinois’ homeowners,” continued Hurley. “Illinois can and should do much more to provide relief from property taxes, like funding local schools more fairly, consolidating excessive units of government and having a fairer tax structure for Illinois’ middle class.”