Slaughter Highlights New Law Aiming to Cut Red Tape, Increase Senior Citizens’ Access to Property Tax Discount

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his efforts to provide real property tax relief to local homeowners, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is highlighting a new law that will make it easier for senior citizens to access a valuable property tax relief program.

“Seniors in our community have worked really hard their entire lives to provide for their families and save for retirement,” Slaughter added. “Seniors are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, and they shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their homes or buying groceries and medications. This bill will eliminate some of the red tape and bureaucracy in accessing senior property tax relief while reducing the paperwork older residents will have to complete every year. As property taxes continue to skyrocket, I’m committed to working to provide real property tax relief for working families and seniors on fixed incomes who can’t afford to continue to pay more.”

Currently, senior homeowners must apply annually to receive a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, which lowers seniors’ property tax bills by reducing a home’s assessed value by $8,000 in Cook County. Slaughter’s House Bill 833, which is now law, eliminates the annual application process and creates a 5-year pilot program in which seniors would not need to reapply each year to qualify for the property tax relief.

“Forcing seniors to reapply every year for the property tax relief that they are entitled to create an undue burden for senior homeowners,” said Slaughter. “This new law will ensure that seniors aren’t missing out on property tax relief that allows them to keep more money in their wallets and helps them to stay in their homes as they age.”