Vella Fights to Freeze Senior Property Tax Increases

ROCKFORD, Ill. – To help reduce the financial burden on his constituents, state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, introduced legislation to lower property taxes on seniors by freezing assessment values for seniors receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

“While property taxes are a massive burden on all of us, they are especially costly to seniors who rely on a fixed income,” said Vella. “Our seniors deserve better than to be driven out of their homes due to skyrocketing property tax costs.”

Vella introduced House Bill 1807, which would grant an assessment freeze homestead exemption to seniors receiving SSI and have a household income under $55,000. The exemption would freeze the equalized assessed value of the property, which would reduce property tax increases.

Since joining the General Assembly, Vella has made it a priority to keep money in the wallets of his constituents. He has introduced a number of pieces of legislation that would prohibit legislators from abusing taxpayer dollars for their own financial gain. He has also refused to take a taxpayer-funded pension, saving taxpayers from having to pay for his retirement.

“Taxpayers, and especially seniors, have been harmed by our property tax system for far too long,” said Vella. “It is critical that we get relief to those who need it most, and I will continue to look for opportunities to reduce the burden that property taxes place on my constituents.”