File #: 19-2292    Version: Name: URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO AMEND THE PROPERTY TAX CODE REGARDING THE SENIOR CITIZENS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
Type: Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 3/11/2019 In control: Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
On agenda: 3/21/2019 Final action: 4/25/2019
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO AMEND THE PROPERTY TAX CODE REGARDING THE SENIOR CITIZENS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION WHEREAS, Cook County senior homeowners may reduce their tax bills by hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year by taking advantage of the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption; and WHEREAS, the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption reduces the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of a home, which is multiplied by the tax rate to determine a homeowner's tax bill; and WHEREAS, to receive the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, an applicant must have owned and occupied the property as of January 1 and must have been 65 years of age or older during the tax year in question; and WHEREAS, under current state law, senior citizen homeowners must re-apply for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption every year; and WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly is currently considering various legislative proposals to eliminate the need for qualifying senior homeowner...
Sponsors: JOHN P. DALEY, LARRY SUFFREDIN, ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT R. BRITTON, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI

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PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO AMEND THE PROPERTY TAX CODE REGARDING THE SENIOR CITIZENS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

 

WHEREAS, Cook County senior homeowners may reduce their tax bills by hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year by taking advantage of the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption; and

 

WHEREAS, the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption reduces the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of a home, which is multiplied by the tax rate to determine a homeowner’s tax bill; and

 

WHEREAS, to receive the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, an applicant must have owned and occupied the property as of January 1 and must have been 65 years of age or older during the tax year in question; and

 

WHEREAS, under current state law, senior citizen homeowners must re-apply for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption every year; and

 

WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly is currently considering various legislative proposals to eliminate the need for qualifying senior homeowners already granted the Seniors Citizens Homestead Exemption to reapply annually for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption; and

 

WHEREAS, The Cook County Treasurer’s office reported thousands of taxpayers who had previously received a senior exemption didn't renew this year and, countywide, seniors can save an average of $300 $772 a year in property taxes with the exemption; and

 

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of Cook County senior homeowners for the Cook County Board of Commissioners to support efforts by the Illinois General Assembly to streamline and simplify the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption process; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby urge the Illinois General Assembly to amend the Property Tax Code regarding the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption and eliminate the necessity of senior homeowners to apply annually for the exemption; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President of the Illinois Senate and the Governor of Illinois.