Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

By Maria Pappas

Illinois lawmakers in recent years have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II.

These changes underscore our commitment to support veterans in Cook County and beyond.

The Illinois Property Tax Code makes veterans who served during World War II exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residences, regardless of their disability status.

Those benefits extend to unmarried, surviving spouses of World War II veterans due to service-connected death.

Veterans with service-connected disabilities also qualify based on the severity of their disability as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s important for property owners to know about the exemption:

Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities
- Those with a disability rating of 30% to 49% receive a $2,500 reduction in their home’s equalized assessed valuation (EAV).
- Veterans with disabilities rated 50% to 69% receive a $5,000 exemption.
- Veterans with disabilities rated 70% or more receive a 100% exemption from property taxes on up to $250,000 of EAV.
Renewal and Transferability
- An automatic renewal of this exemption due to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. Applicants must re-apply for the exemption annually.
- Surviving spouses can retain the exemption or transfer it to another primary residence after the veteran’s passing.
Application and Information
- Detailed eligibility criteria and application procedures are available on the Cook County Treasurer’s website at cookcountytreasurer.com.
- Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit the website for step-by-step guidance through the application process.

This exemption is not just about financial relief; it’s a testament to our commitment to honor and recognize the service of our veterans. By expanding access to property tax exemptions, we’re providing stability and financial security to those who gave so much to serve this nation. These changes are meant to give veterans and their surviving spouses the benefits they deserve without having to frequently reapply.

As Veterans Day approaches, I believe it’s important to reaffirm our collective responsibility to support those who during this country’s time of need answered the call to serve.

For information on property tax exemptions and to determine eligibility, visit my website at cookcountytreasurer.com. Together, let us do our duty to honor and support our veterans.

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Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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