SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Under a new law passed by state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, seniors that reside in Cook County will no longer have to reapply annually for their Cook County Senior Homestead Exemption.

“Many seniors live on fixed incomes, so they should not have to jump through unnecessary bureaucratic hoops to realize the savings they are entitled to,” said Villa. “This new law is significant because it ensures senior homeowners are not overpaying their property tax bills and that cost-saving exemptions are accessible to all qualifying families.”

Villa passed House Bill 833, which removes the burdensome process that required Cook County senior homeowners to reapply for their Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption each year. Cook County was the only county in Illinois that mandated senior homeowners to annually reapply in order to receive this tax relief exemption. The Cook County Treasurer’s office recently released information that as many as 26,000 Cook County senior homeowners did not reapply for their annual property tax exemptions, missing out on an estimated $45 million in property tax relief. Villa’s new law will ensure qualifying seniors do not miss out on much-needed exemptions.

“This new law cuts bureaucratic red tape and streamlines the exemption process to ensure that seniors in Cook County are receiving the savings they deserve,” continued Villa. “I will continue working on the Property Tax Relief Task Force to find real property tax relief for homeowners throughout Illinois.”

For more information, please contact Villa’s constituent service office at 630-326-9319 or at StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

SUMMIT, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to protect seniors from skyrocketing property taxes, state Rep. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, sponsored legislation that will make it easier for senior homeowners to receive property tax relief.

“Every year, it becomes more and more difficult for seniors living on fixed incomes to keep up with all the different property tax exemptions and freezes that are available to them,” said Villanueva. “These measures will help cut through red tape, so that seniors are receiving the proper exemptions and freezes they deserve.”

Villanueva co-sponsored House Bill 2581 which allows seniors in Cook County who have previously received the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption to not have to reapply every year. The legislation states that if a senior homeowner in Cook County has qualified for this certain exemption in the past, they will automatically receive the exemption every year going forward.

The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption is an annual exemption available for all Cook County residents that are 65 years-of-age or older, who own a single family home and pay property taxes on that home. This legislation will make it easier for seniors to file their taxes each year and receive the proper tax credits without going through unnecessary bureaucracy.

Villanueva also co-sponsored House Bill 3406 which would increase the maximum income limitation for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption from $65,000 to $85,000.

“Seniors should be able to retire in peace, not spending their retirement filling out burdensome paperwork every year,” said Villanueva. “The homeowners who have earned this exemption shouldn’t have to depend on unneeded clerical steps in order to save money on their taxes.”