Exemption to Provide Property Tax Relief for Survivors of First Responders

The surviving spouses of Chicago police officers, firefighters, active duty soldiers and other first responders who have died in the line of duty will be eligible for an exemption waiving the city portion of their property tax bill, under an ordinance that will take effect next year with the 2019 tax bill.

While state lawmakers originally authorized this bill in 2012, it required the sponsorship of local officials. The measure was sponsored in Chicago by 11th Ward Alderman Patrick Daley Thompson.

“While our debt to their service and sacrifice cannot possibly be repaid, their legacies are carried on by the families they loved,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. “We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure we can make their lives a little easier.”

The abatement will waive the city portion of property taxes, estimated at between 20% and 25% of the overall tax bill, for the spouses of police officers, paramedics, firefighters, soldiers and other first responders who have died in the line of duty. It will remain in effect for as long as the beneficiaries remain unmarried and reside at the same property.

Property Tax Exemptions and Relief for Other Property Owners

At Kensington, our work providing property tax relief to Cook County property owners includes a review of exemption status to ensure that all eligible exemptions are received.

From exemptions for disabled and returning veterans to senior citizens, disabled homeowners, and longtime homeowners, Cook County offers a wide range of exemptions that can reduce the portion of a property’s assessed value that is subject to taxes. Property owners may also be entitled to exemptions for home improvement work.

As advocates for Chicago-area property owners, we work with our clients to ensure that they are not paying more than they should be in property taxes. Once all eligible exemptions have been applied, the most important strategy for reducing your property tax bill is to appeal your assessment.

Get a Free, No Obligation Review of Your Tax Bill

At Kensington, we have helped more than 35,000 residential and commercial property owners save millions of dollars in property taxes by helping them to appeal their assessments.

With a proprietary algorithm and the most up-to-date data available from the assessor’s office, we are able to identify the comparable properties that make the strongest possible case for a reduction.

Our clients pay nothing unless they win. For a free, no-obligation analysis of your property tax bill, give us a call or click on the link below.
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