Jones-Backed Legislation Protects Seniors from Accidental Tax Hike

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Helping build a better Illinois and stronger middle class, state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is highlighting a new law that simplifies the application process for Cook County seniors seeking the Senior Homestead Exemption.

“Property tax relief is key for residents in our area, especially seniors who are living on a fixed income,” Jones said. “Seniors in Cook County now do not need to apply for their exemptions each year, which has caused some taxes to accidentally increase on seniors due to the yearly mandate, causing older homeowners to miss out on much-needed savings.”

Jones supported House Bill 833, which institutes a 5-year pilot project for Cook County to allow senior citizens to apply for the senior homestead exemption once instead of having to apply for it annually. The new law will help maintain critical tax exemptions for seniors, preventing a tax hike because seniors did not reapply. The law further requires the Cook County Assessor to list the number of years remaining before a senior must reapply on assessment notices and includes protections to terminate the exemption when a senior citizen passes away. Additionally, the new law requires the Cook County Assessor to perform at least two audits of all claimed senior exemptions and take action to correct erroneously or fraudulently claimed exemptions.

Previously, Cook County seniors had to reapply annually for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption while all other counties can choose to allow seniors to have the exemption automatically applied each year.

“Seniors should not be on the hook for annual applications, especially when most counties already have this practice in place,” Jones said. “Making the application process easier for local seniors will cut down on burdensome paperwork mandates, and also help prevent seniors from overpaying on their property taxes.”