Legislation sponsored by State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) to automatically renew property tax relief for seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities unanimously advanced out of the Illinois House.
Legislation supported by Rep. Weber last year during a special COVID-19 legislative session last May included a provision to reduces paperwork burdens on senior citizens and persons with disabilities by providing for the automatic rollover of a property taxpayer’s status to enjoy certain exemptions and senior-freeze rights with respect to their homesteads.
House Bill 3289 would once again allow local assessors to waive the annual reporting requirements and re-application process for three homestead exemption applications; the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities, the Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, and the Senior Citizens Assessment.
“These exemptions are to help keep the most vulnerable in their homes; this legislation is a simple and fair effort to remove burden of refiling for relief during a pandemic that they would get either way,” Rep. Weber said.
Rep. Weber has supported numerous property tax relief bills during this General Assembly and in previous ones. House Bill 3391, filed by Rep. Weber as the Taxpayer Protection Act, would provide more oversight and taxpayer approval on local debt and the issuance of new bonds, which drive up local taxes. However, legislation supported by House Republicans to provide help to those facing mounting property tax bills continue to be mired in committees by the majority party.
HB 3289 passed unanimously from the House and has been assigned a sponsor in the Senate.