Budget & Taxes (Property Tax)

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that, subject to the reallocation by the General Assembly of moneys appropriated for Illinois Welcoming Centers for State Fiscal Year 2025 or the appropriation of moneys in the State Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Department of Human Services shall establish a pilot program to pay one-time property tax rebates to qualified applicants. Provides that a qualified applicant is an individual who (i) is responsible for the payment of property taxes for the 2023 tax year, due in 2024, on homestead property located in Bloom, Calumet, Rich, Thornton, or Bremen Township in Cook County and (ii) is a member of a low-income or moderate-income household. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for the adoption of emergency rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the total property tax bill for any property receiving the senior citizens homestead exemption may not exceed 101% of the tax bill for the immediately preceding taxable year.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2026, the maximum income limitation for the senior freeze shall be $73,700 for all qualified property (currently, $65,000). Provides that the maximum income limitation shall be adjusted each year according to the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that any State mandate regarding any subject matter enacted on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act that necessitates additional expenditures from local government revenues shall be void and unenforceable unless the General Assembly makes necessary appropriations and reimbursements to implement that mandate. Provides that the failure of the General Assembly to make necessary appropriations and reimbursements shall relieve the local government of the obligation to implement any State mandate. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding 10 years; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases distributions into the Local Government Distributive Fund on and after August 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2026, the maximum income limitation for the senior freeze shall be $75,000 for all qualified property (currently, $65,000). Provides that the maximum income limitation shall be adjusted each year according to the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if property was granted a homestead exemption for persons with disabilities for any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and if the property remains eligible for the exemption in a subsequent consecutive taxable year, then the total property tax liability for the property for the applicable taxable year may not exceed the total property tax liability for (i) taxable year 2025 or (ii) the first year in which the property became eligible for the exemption, whichever occurs later, unless the chief county assessment officer finds that there were substantial improvements made to the property during the previous taxable year or years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a community mental health board that moved from a property tax to a special county occupation tax, and is receiving less revenue under the special county occupation tax, shall automatically have the special county occupation tax increased to the next quarter increment to maintain current operations without disruption to services.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act. Changes the income eligibility levels used to determine eligibility for reduced vehicle registration fees for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $80,000 (currently, $65,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning platted and subdivided but undeveloped property, provides that (i) beginning with the 2025 taxable year, no property's assessed value shall be reduced to less than $150 under those provisions and (ii) beginning with the 2035 taxable year, no property shall be eligible for calculation of its assessed value under those provisions for more than a 10-year period.