Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0013

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted the homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 3 years. Provides that the maximum amount of the exemption is $60,000 if the general assessment year for the property is 2006 or later. Provides that the base year for counties other than Cook County is the 2005 or 2006 tax year. Provides that, to subject itself to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption, a county must adopt an ordinance to that effect within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as introduced with the following changes: In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 4 years in counties other than Cook County. Requires a recalculation of base homestead value for homestead properties in Cook County. Effective immediately.

Changes references of "equalized value" to "equalized assessed value".

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption and sets forth the maximum amount of the exemption for each taxable year. Creates the long-time occupant homestead exemption for those counties that elect to extend the alternative general homestead exemption that, through taxable year 2009, caps the increase in assessed value of qualified homestead property at 10% or 7% per year based on the taxpayer's household income. Defines "qualified homestead property" as homestead property of a taxpayer who has owned the property for at least 10 years (or 5 years with certain government assistance) and who has a household income of $75,000 or less. Creates a homestead exemption for disabled veterans. Sets forth the amount of the exemption based on the percentage of service-connected disability of the veteran. Provides that the exemption carries over to the benefit of the veteran's surviving spouse. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. Creates the Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption, which provides for a $2,000 homestead exemption for property that is owned and occupied by certain persons with a disability. Increases the amount of the Senior Homestead Exemption. Increases the amount of the General Homestead Exemption. In the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption: authorizes audits by the chief county assessment officer; provides that, for taxable year 2007 and thereafter, the amount of the exemption is the equalized assessed value of the residence in the taxable year for which application is made minus the base amount (now, the amount of the exemption is based upon the applicant's household income); increases the amount of the maximum income limitation. Authorizes counties and municipalities to abate any percentage of the taxes levied by the county or municipality on each parcel of certain qualified residential property within the corporate limits of the municipality that is owned by the surviving spouse of a fallen police officer or rescue worker. Requires that tax bills must include information that certain taxpayers may be eligible for tax exemptions, abatements, and other assistance programs. Creates the Property Tax Reform and Relief Task Force to conduct a study of the property tax system in Illinois and investigate methods of reducing the reliance on property taxes and alternative methods of funding. Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act to increase the amounts of certain maximum income limitations. Amends other Acts to make conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Provides that application for the disabled veterans homestead exemption must be made during the application period in effect for the county of his or her residence and authorizes the assessor or chief county assessment officer to determine, in accordance with guidelines established by the Department of Revenue, the eligibility of residential property to receive the homestead exemption provided by this Section by application, visual inspection, questionnaire, or other reasonable methods. In a provision concerning information to be included with tax bills, advises that taxpayers should consult with the township or county assessor (instead of township or county collector). Makes a change to a cross reference.

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