CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – As part of her commitment to reduce property taxes, state Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, supported a measure to make it easier for seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities to access property tax relief.

“As families are still overcoming the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic, increasing property taxes place an additional burden on working families, particularly on those living on a fixed income,” said Ness. “We must do more to provide property tax relief to those who need it most, so this session I helped pass legislation to ensure that individuals who are eligible for property tax exemptions are able to receive that relief in full.” 

Ness helped pass House Bill 3289, which will allow chief county assessment officers to automatically approve 2021 homestead exemptions for those who received the exemption in 2020, including veterans and residents with disabilities and senior citizens. House Bill 3289 received bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by the governor. 

“As I meet and talk to residents in our community, high property taxes are consistently an area of top concern,” said Ness. “This measure is a good step in ensuring that our more vulnerable residents are receiving the property tax relief that is available to them, but the work cannot end here. I will continue to work across the aisle and support legislation to bring the needed property tax relief to families in our community.”

SPARTA, Ill. – To help local homeowners find property tax relief and better understand the property tax assessment and appeals process, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is partnering with Randolph County Assessor Doug Sachtleben to host a property tax review workshop for Randolph County homeowners later this month.

“As a member of the Property Tax Relief Task Force, I am continually working to find creative solutions to address the skyrocketing property taxes that are making some families consider moving and forcing others out of their homes,” said Reitz. “Homeownership is something that we should be able to take pride in, but rather many Southern Illinoisans feel as if they are being punished for owning a home.”

Reitz is inviting Randolph County homeowners to a property tax relief workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at Sparta High School, located at 205 W. Hood St. Homeowners should bring a copy of their latest tax bill to learn more about the property tax assessment and appeals process, and to learn how to file an appeal and other ways to save.

“The property tax assessment and appeals process can be hard to understand, so this is a great opportunity to learn more from Randolph County Assessor Doug Sachtleben,” continued Reitz. “I encourage local homeowners to join me for my upcoming property tax review workshop and learn ways to potentially save on your next property tax bill!”

For more information, or to RSVP, please call Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office at 618-282-7284 or email RepNReitz@gmail.com.

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.”

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – To help residents learn about the property tax assessment process and the appeals process, state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, invites local homeowners to her informational property tax assessment seminar on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 7 pm to 8 pm at the Ela Township Community Center located at 380 Surryse Rd. in Lake Zurich.

“Rising property taxes are an increasing concern among families in our community who simply want to work hard, raise their families, and keep their homes,” said Edly-Allen. “It’s important for residents to fully understand how the property tax assessment process works so that they can make the best decisions to appeal their taxes and potentially reduce their tax bills. This informational seminar presented by the experts will equip homeowners with the tools they need to save more of their hard-earned money.”

Ela Township Assessor John Barrington and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim will explain the role of assessors, how the assessment process works and how homeowners can appeal their property assessment to reduce their tax burden. The event is free and open to the public.

“As a member of the newly-formed Property Tax Relief Task Force, I have been working with a coalition of Democrats and Republicans from across the state to find creative and comprehensive solutions to the state’s property tax crisis,” Edly-Allen added.

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is promoting property tax exemption opportunities available to some seniors living in Cook County.

“Right now, thousands of Cook County seniors are eligible for the significant property tax relief that they deserve,” Pappas said. “Illinois’ skyrocketing property taxes place unfair strain on homeowners, especially seniors on a fixed income, and I don’t want anyone to miss out on this opportunity.”

Thousands of eligible seniors did not receive their Senior Citizen Homestead Property Tax Exemption or Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze, two programs which could drastically reduce property tax costs for senior citizens. Seniors interested in this program can visit CookCountyTreasurer.com, click “Your Property Tax Overview” and search using their address, or call the Cook County Treasurer’s Office at 312-443-5100.

“Every senior in Cook County who feels they may have missed this opportunity should make sure to take advantage now,” Pappas said. “I’m committed to building a stronger Illinois for everybody. That doesn’t only mean pushing for programs to create a better future, but promoting opportunities for a fairer present.”

Anyone who needs help navigating the process can also contact Pappas’s office at 224-520-8838 or RepDPappas@gmail.com.

STREAMWOOD, Ill. – State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is inviting local families and seniors to receive help reducing their property tax bills at an upcoming Property Tax Appeal

Workshop with Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison and other local leaders on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Park Place Recreation Center, located 550 S. Park Blvd in Streamwood.

“With property taxes nearing unprecedented levels, I’ve been working with our local officials to ensure middle-class families and seniors are aware of the appeal process,” Crespo said. “This will be our second property tax appeal workshop of the month, so I encourage folks that weren’t able to join us this week to bring their latest tax bill and receive help with reducing their property tax bill.”

Experts from the office of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi will be on hand to help families and seniors understand the process of appealing their property tax bill. Homeowners can learn about the basics of property assessments, how to appeal the assessment, as well as what exemptions are available. Homeowners are encouraged to bring their most recent assessments and a valid state ID or driver’s license to receive help.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Rep. Crespo’s full-time constituent service office at 630-372-3340.

 

Who:   State Rep. Fred Crespo

            Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison

            Office of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and other local leaders

What:  Property Tax Appeal Seminar

When:  Tuesday, Oct. 8

            6 p.m.

Where: Park Place Recreation Center

              550 S. Park Blvd

              Streamwood

GURNEE, Ill. – Working to ensure that her constituents receive the property tax relief they deserve, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee hosted a Property Tax Relief Seminar at Zion City Hall on Tuesday.

“During my first term in office, I’ve been fully committed to ensuring that my hard-working constituents aren’t overly burdened by high property taxes, which is why I’m eager to serve on the state’s Property Tax Relief Task Force,” Mason said. “This property tax relief seminar was a great way to help local homeowners learn how they can reduce their tax burdens as we explore creative new ways to give families meaningful and lasting relief on their property tax bills.”

Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim and Zion Township Assessor Larry Wicketts partnered in presenting information at the seminar. Attendees learned how the property tax relief assessment process works and which money-saving exemptions are available to homeowners and how to file a property tax appeal.

​

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In light of ongoing meetings of the Property Tax Relief Task Force, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, is calling for the General Assembly to immediately pass a statewide property tax freeze during the upcoming veto session.

“Democrats and Republicans on the Property Tax Relief Task Force must work together to actively craft a comprehensive package to bring meaningful property relief to the people of Illinois,” DeLuca said. “We’ve been battling the issue of high property taxes for a long time and I myself voted to freeze or cut property taxes repeatedly over the past few years. Relief for Illinois homeowners is long overdue.”

DeLuca’s current call for a statewide freeze is not without precedent. In past legislative sessions, DeLuca voted to cut or freeze property taxes in Illinois at least 19 times. The Property Tax Relief Task Force, made up of members from both parties and chambers, has been meeting since early August. The final report of the Task Force must be given to Gov. J.B. Pritzker by the end of the year with any changes that include short- and long-term solutions to providing relief for homeowners.

“While the Task Force’s meetings have been productive, my fear is that we are still a long ways away from meaningful relief,” DeLuca said. “In the meantime, I think it’s prudent we take steps that the General Assembly has taken before and that is voting to freeze property taxes statewide.”

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – To provide residents with information about how to appeal their property assessments and possibly reduce their property tax bill, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is holding two local property tax appeals seminars. The first is Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m at the Avon Township Center, located at 433 E. Washington St. in Round Lake Park. The second will be Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Wauconda Park District Building, located at 600 N. Main St. in Wauconda.

“Property Tax relief is one of my main priorities, especially as a member of the Property Tax Relief Commission,” Yingling said. “Helping my community get educated on how they can get relief from the burdens of high property taxes now is extremely important, and I highly encourage anyone to attend this seminar.”

Yingling has been a champion to lower property taxes throughout his time in the General Assembly. He has led the fight to make the Lake County assessor an elected position, bringing transparency and accountability to the office, as well as consolidating units of local government, both of which would reduce property taxes. More recently, Yingling was a major proponent for the creation of the Property Tax Relief Fund, which will allow for the creation of rebates for homeowners on the property taxes they pay.

“One of the largest issues facing the hard-working families throughout the state is the burden of high property taxes,” Yingling said. “I am committed to working for my community, and getting my constituents property tax relief both in Springfield through legislation and in my district through seminars like this one.”

For questions or more information about the event, please contact Yingling’s constituent service office at 847-231-6262 or email repsamyingling@gmail.com.

HANOVER PARK, Ill. – State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is inviting local families and seniors to receive help reducing their property tax bills at his upcoming Property Tax Appeal

Workshop with the Office of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hanover Township Senior Center, located 240 S. Route 59 in Barlett.

“Rising property taxes are really hurting suburban communities like the ones I represent,” Crespo said. “Oftentimes, local families and seniors do not know that they may be able to appeal their property tax bill, which is why I’m working with our local assessors to help provide crucial information to our community.”

This event is free and open to the public. Experts will be on hand to help local residents understand the process of appealing the assessed value of their homes. Homeowners can learn about the basics of property assessments, how to appeal the assessment and what exemptions are available. Homeowners are encouraged to bring their most recent assessments and a valid state ID or driver’s license to receive help.

If you are unable to attend this event, Crespo will hosting a second seminar on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Park Place Recreation Center in Streamwood. For more information, please contact Rep. Crespo’s full-time constituent service office at 630-372-3340.

Who:   State Rep. Fred Crespo

Office of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi

Hanover Township and other local leaders

What:  Property Tax Appeal Seminar

When:  Wednesday, Oct. 2

  6:30 p.m.

Where: Hanover Township Senior Center

              240 S. Route 59

              Bartlett