Canty Backs Property Tax Reform to Expand Relief for Seniors

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, continued her fight to make life easier for vulnerable Illinoisans when she passed a measure to increase the income ceilings for property tax exemption programs for low-income seniors.

“Seniors living on fixed incomes who have already retired from full-time work should not be bearing the brunt of high property taxes,” Canty said. “This measure expands relief and responsibly addresses income changes due to inflation.”

Canty put her support behind Senate Bill 642, an expanded framework for several property tax relief programs designed to lower bills for seniors. This bill increases the maximum income limitations for both the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption and the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program to $75,000 in tax year 2026, $77,000 for tax year 2027 and $79,000 for tax years 2028 and after.

“The Trump Administration has major senior assistance programs—such as Medicaid and Social Security—in its crosshairs, so older Illinoisans need more financial flexibility as soon as possible,” Canty said. “While there is more work to be done, this is a great step toward giving seniors breathing room in case more punishing Trump measures are on the horizon.”