Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5245

LRB104 19831 HLH 33281 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5245

Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. Travis Weaver

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

35 ILCS 200/15-172a new

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, with regard to all applicants who meet the household income and other qualifications set forth for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, and notwithstanding any other law, for property tax bills prepared for tax year 2026 and thereafter, the county collector shall bill the eligible household an amount that shall not exceed the property tax bill for the same household for the prior tax year. Provides an exception to the level tax billing privilege when an assessed improvement is made by the owner or occupant of the real property. Provides that eligibility for level property tax billing is contingent upon the household's continuing eligibility for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning revenue.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Property Tax Code is amended by adding Section 15-172a as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/15-172a new)

Sec. 15-172a. Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze; Level Billing.

(a) With regard to all applicants who meet the household income and other qualifications set forth for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption under Section 15-172 of this Code, and notwithstanding any other law, for property tax bills prepared for tax year 2026 and thereafter, the county collector shall bill the eligible household an amount that shall not exceed the property tax bill for the same household for the prior tax year.

(b) An exception to the level property tax billing under this Section shall exist whenever an assessed improvement is made by the owner or occupant of the real property subject to this Section. If real property subject to this Section is improved, the property tax bill may increase, but only with respect to and in line with the assessed value of the improvement.

(c) A household's eligibility for level property tax billing under this Section shall be contingent upon the household's continuing eligibility for the property tax assessment freeze under Section 15-172 of this Code. If a household ceases to be eligible for a property tax assessment freeze under Section 15-172 of this Code, the household shall cease to be eligible for the level tax billing privilege granted under this Section.

(d) The county assessor shall cooperate with the county collector to implement and maintain the level tax billing privilege granted by this Section.