Assessor Kaegi Praises Passage of Property Tax Relief for Senior Homeowners

Assessor Fritz Kaegi praised lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly for passage of legislation during its veto session on Thursday that expands property tax relief for senior homeowners in Cook County by raising the income eligibility threshold for the Senior Freeze homestead exemption. 

This change means that more seniors on limited incomes will benefit from this important exemption, as many have lost their eligibility in recent years due to cost-of-living adjustments to benefit payments. 

The income threshold will ultimately increase to $79,000 in Tax Year 2029. The current income threshold is $65,000 and will increase to $75,000 in Tax Year 2026, which will be reflected on bills issued in 2027. This amount will increase to $77,000 in 2028 and, finally, $79,000 in 2029.

The income threshold for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program will also increase in line with the Senior Freeze changes. 

“This legislation ensures that thousands of vulnerable seniors in Cook County won’t be in danger of losing their homes because of unmanageable property tax increases. Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and her staff introduced this legislation in Springfield and worked with lawmakers to get it passed,” said Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. 

The Assessor’s Office hosted a press conference on Oct. 23 in support of the legislation, with more than a dozen community organizations and leaders attending. Many of these groups acted quickly to file witness slips in support of the bill during a committee hearing on Thursday. 

“Last week, I was proud to stand with our allies to call for the General Assembly to pass this property tax relief,” said Assessor Kaegi. “When it was time for them to act again this week to help push this legislation through, this coalition of advocates for seniors and working families responded immediately to our call to action. This victory could not have happened without these groups and their unwavering advocacy for senior homeowners.” 

Supporting organizations and individuals included: 

• Spanish Coalition for Housing

• The Resurrection Project

• Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community

• Chinese American Service League

• AARP Illinois

• Northwest Center

• Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County

• Chicago Department of Family and Support Services

• Teresa Fraga, Pilsen resident and community organizer

• AgeOptions

• The Village Chicago

• National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals – Chicago

• Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago

• Light Up Lawndale