Yingling Backs Legislation to Provide Property Tax Relief to Seniors

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – To provide support to the senior community, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, voted in favor of legislation that would expand the eligibility of those able to defer their property taxes.

“With the senior community being one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we get them immediate support,” said Yingling. “Property taxes have placed a massive burden on all Illinois residents, especially seniors on a fixed income. Expanding deferral eligibility is immediate relief for those who have faced significant difficulty over this past year.”

Yingling voted in support of Senate Bill 2244, which passed with unanimous support. The bill expands the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program by increasing the maximum salary a senior can earn to be eligible for the program from $55,000 to $65,000, as well as increasing the maximum amount of property taxes that can be deferred from $5,000 to $7,500 for tax years 2022 through 2025.

During his time in the General Assembly, Yingling has fought for property tax relief for his constituents. This session, Yingling backed a number of pieces of legislation aimed at getting lowering property taxes, including increasing the maximum deductions on widely used property tax exemptions, as well as freezing property tax increases. He also regularly holds Property Tax Relief Seminars in his district, helping residents learn the process to appeal their assessments and lower their taxes.

“With so many residents struggling to get by, high property taxes are increasingly difficult for many to keep up with,” said Yingling. “While it is important to provide residents with support during this difficult time, there is still more work that needs to be done. I will continue to work on reforming our regressive property tax laws and cut property tax bills.”