title
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
COVID -19 PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
WHEREAS, Cook County residents and property tax owners currently face an unprecedented health crisis due to the COVID-19 global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and resulting Illinois Executive Orders requiring the closure of certain businesses and requiring that individuals "stay at home", numerous County residents, small business owners, and retail establishments have expressed concern regarding their ability to pay their property tax obligations in a timely fashion; and
WHEREAS, significant restrictions currently exist regarding the issuance of tax bills and payment methods under Illinois law; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois declared all counties in the State a disaster area by Executive Order of the Governor on March 9, 2020, and on March 26, 2020, an Illinois disaster declaration was approved by the President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Cook County Code of Ordinances, Sections 26-36 and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/11, on March 10, 2020, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle found that the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 constitute a public health emergency and issued a proclamation of disaster for Cook County; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Illinois law, on March 16, 2020, the Cook County Board of Commissioners through Resolution 20-2195, extended the March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster through May 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners anticipates further extending Resolution 20-2195, and the March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster through September30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Property Tax Code at 35 ILCS 200/21-40(C) permits a county board to adopt an ordinance or resolution modifying certain provisions of the Property Tax Code where that County has been designated a disaster area by the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of Illinois upon ...
Click here for full text