Illinois Senate OK’s Connor’s bill to help older adults, those with disabilities on property taxes

The Illinois Senate passed legislation this week, sponsored by Sen. John Connor, which would extend homestead exemptions for those with disabilities and older citizens without reapplying.

The bill, H.B. 3289, would allow homestead exemptions to be approved for people with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and older adults without new applications, according to a news release. Any property that was approved for the exemption in the 2019 taxable year will qualify, provided the county the property is declared a local disaster related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am always proud to step up and be a voice for populations in our state who may be most in need,” Connor, D-Lockport, said in a statement. “Providing an exemption for at-risk communities means keeping more Illinoisans safe from exposure to COVID-19 or other potentially dangerous illnesses.”

Exemption recipients need to reapply every year, but the pandemic resulted in a waived reapplication requirement, a trend Connor said he wants to see continue.

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, also sponsored the bill in the Senate. Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., D-Elwood, backed it when it passed the House of Representatives earlier this year.