Andrade Legislation Streamlining Senior Property Tax Exemption Now Law

CHICAGO – Thanks to a new law supported by state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, homeowners who qualify for the senior homestead property tax exemption will no longer need to annually reapply to keep the exemption.

“Seniors that qualify for the exemption shouldn’t have to go through the process to requalify every year,” said Andrade. “Part of fixing the property tax system is cutting through red tape that makes life more difficult for middle-class homeowners. This is an easy way to make it easier for seniors to get real relief.”

Andrade sponsored House Bill 833, which creates a five-year pilot program that will allow homeowners to continue receiving the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption without having to reapply every year. Andrade hopes the pilot program will prove to be successful.

“Cook County is currently the only county that requires seniors to file an application every year, and that is an unnecessary burden,” said Andrade. “Now that this bill is law, the senior homestead exemption is not going to require yearly maintenance for people living in Chicago.”