SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With the passage of the 2021 clean energy bill, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, successfully secured millions in property tax relief and grants for Zion, paved the way for new green jobs and set out a plan to reduce carbon emissions in Illinois.

“I’m grateful that we’ve found a legislative solution that will provide much needed property tax relief to the people and businesses of Zion,” Mason said. “In addition, we are addressing the climate crisis, creating new opportunities for good-paying careers, expanding job training and putting Illinois on the path to be 100 percent renewable energy.”

When the Zion Nuclear Power Station closed in 1998, the city lost 800 jobs and the tax income from the plant went from $20 million to less than $1 million annually. Additionally, due to nuclear waste, the city has been unable to develop the 257 acres of valuable lakefront land. Mason worked to ensure clean energy job legislation that passed the House this week includes a path for the state of Illinois to transition to 100% clean energy. This change will bring approximately $15 million of additional income to the city annually.

Mason’s vote for Senate Bill 2408 also takes concrete steps to protect our environment by requiring decarbonization over the coming years and setting the goal of Illinois transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.The legislation also creates new training programs across the state to train people for green and foster new small businesses in renewable energy.

“This didn’t get done without Representative Mason spearheading these efforts,” said Zion Mayor Billy McKinney. “She worked on this matter non-stop and showed us how much she cares and how much she will fight for the residents of her district. The efforts of Representative Yingling and the rest of the house delegation should be commended as well. Thank you, Joyce, Sam, the rest of the delegation on behalf of the people of Zion.”

“The Zion community has been floundering alone, without a voice, for 23 years after the devastating impact the plant closure caused,” said David Knabel, Zion City Administrator.  Representative Mason jumped when she heard our pleas and gave us a voice. This is a turning point in the future of our community and could not have been done without her and her peers and we cannot thank them enough.”

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support and efforts of City of Zion Mayor Billy McKinney and City Administrator David Knabel, as well as the members of the Lake County House Delegation, which includes Representatives Johnathan Carroll, Dan Didech, Rita Mayfield, Bob Morgan, and Sam Yingling,” said Mason. “I’m especially grateful to Rep Yingling, who has worked very hard to help draft this legislation, sharing his experience and knowledge from his tenure in the legislature and his service as Chairperson of the Counties and Townships Committee and Sub Chair of the Property Tax Committee. I am so fortunate to work with an incredible group of people who were committed to making this happen.”

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.”

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Concerned that increasing property taxes are hurting local families, state Rep. Maurice West II, D-Rockford, recently backed proposals to create a property tax relief fund and a property tax relief task force.

“I often hear from residents who are concerned about how they are going to be able to pay their property taxes,” West said. “We need a comprehensive approach to tackle rising property taxes. While a relief fund and task force do not fully resolve the issue, they are important first steps to bring real relief to families.”

West supported Senate Bill 39, which would create the Illinois Property Tax Relief Fund. This fund would allow for the creation of rebates for homeowners on the property taxes they pay. Additionally, West helped pass Senate Bill 1932, which would create the Property Tax Relief Task Force charged with reviewing best practices to create short and long-term property tax relief for homeowners. The task force will submit a report on suggested strategies to the governor and General Assembly by the end of the year.

“It’s important that we invest in and support our schools and local services, but we also need to be responsible with how we use property taxes and the impact they have on families,” West said. “Property tax relief is a priority for me, and I look forward to reviewing the recommendations of the task force so that we may effectively address this issue.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local seniors who qualify for cost-saving property tax exemptions would no longer have to reapply annually for relief under legislation passed by state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates.  

“Local seniors, many of whom live on a fixed income, are hurting because of skyrocketing property taxes,” Crespo said. “This legislation will bring much-needed stability and relief to seniors by ensuring that they don’t have to jump through unnecessary hoops or even miss out on property tax savings.”

Crespo worked with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi on House Bill 833, which creates a five-year pilot program (from 2020-2024) for qualifying seniors to continue receiving their Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption without having to reapply every year. Currently, Cook County is the only county where older homeowners are forced by state law to go through a burdensome process of reapplying annually for the cost-saving exemption, a process which adds to the burden of seniors and could result in homeowners missing out on savings. Crespo’s measure passed the House with unanimous support. 

“I’m grateful for Representative Crespo for his continued advocacy on this issue. Our office has worked in collaboration with him on the plan for its technological implementation and the safeguards necessary to prevent fraud while also making these annual exemptions more accessible for seniors,” Kaegi said. “We have heard from many taxpayers during my countywide listening tour about the need for HB 833 as it will help modernize operations in the Assessor’s Office and ease an unnecessary burden for seniors in Cook County.”

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Bartlett, and Elgin.

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Continuing his efforts to help alleviate the tax burden many homeowners experience, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, is inviting Elk Grove Township homeowners to attend a Property Tax appeals seminar scheduled for Monday, April 29^t at 6:30 p.m. at the Elk Grove Township building, located at 2400 S. Arlington Heights Rd. in Arlington Heights.

“As a state representative, it is my responsibility to provide resources to my community that will help address the alarming tax burden homeowners are facing every day,” Moylan said. “I encourage all Elk Grove township homeowners to attend this event with the Cook County Assessor’s office because they will be reassessing properties in Elk Grove Township this year, and your bill may change.”

The seminar will provide residents with information on how to appeal their property tax bill with Cook County. Residents of Elk Grove Township should bring their property tax bill, paperwork from any appraisal performed in the past 18 months and a closing statement if the home was purchased within the last year.

To help provide further relief, Moylan has voted multiple times over the years for a property tax freeze. These measures would prohibit any level of government from raising property tax rates unless approved by a majority of the voters.

“It’s important that residents understand their property tax bills and know how to properly appeal their assessment with Cook County,” Moylan said. “Attending this seminar will give residents the information they need to potentially save hundreds of dollars on their property tax bills.”

Cook County is mailing assessment notices to Elk Grove Township residents on April 18 and the last date for appeals accepted for Elk Grove Township homeowners will be May 20.