Bill Text: IL HB1331 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions awarding an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Effective July 1, 2009.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-15 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB1331 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HB1331-Introduced.html

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96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2009 and 2010 HB1331 Introduced 2/18/2009, by Rep. Mike Boland SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
35 ILCS 200/14-20
35 ILCS 200/15-10
35 ILCS 200/15-172
Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions awarding an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Effective July 1, 2009.
LRB096 07648 RCE 17747 b
FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
HB1331 LRB096 07648 RCE 17747 b
AN ACT concerning taxes.
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 changing
Sections 14-20, 15-10, and 15-172 as follows:
(35 ILCS 200/14-20)
Sec. 14-20. Certificate of error; counties of less than
3,000,000. In any county with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants,
if, at any time before judgment or order of sale is entered in
any proceeding to collect or to enjoin the collection of taxes
based upon any assessment of any property, the chief county
assessment officer discovers an error or mistake in the
assessment (other than errors of judgment as to the valuation
of the property), he or she shall issue to the person
erroneously assessed a certificate setting forth the nature of
the error and the cause or causes of the error. In any county
with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, if an owner fails to file
an application for the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons
Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption provided in Section
15-172 during the previous assessment year and qualifies for
the exemption, the Chief County Assessment Officer pursuant to
this Section, or the Board of Review pursuant to Section 16-75,
shall issue a certificate of error setting forth the correct

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taxable valuation of the property. The certificate, when
properly endorsed by the majority of the board of review,
showing their concurrence, and not otherwise, may be used in
evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction, and when so
introduced in evidence, shall become a part of the court record
and shall not be removed from the files except on an order of
the court.
(Source: P.A. 90-552, eff. 12-12-97; 91-377, eff. 7-30-99.)
(35 ILCS 200/15-10)
Sec. 15-10. Exempt property; procedures for certification.
All property granted an exemption by the Department pursuant to
the requirements of Section 15-5 and described in the Sections
following Section 15-30 and preceding Section 16-5, to the
extent therein limited, is exempt from taxation. In order to
maintain that exempt status, the titleholder or the owner of
the beneficial interest of any property that is exempt must
file with the chief county assessment officer, on or before
January 31 of each year (May 31 in the case of property
exempted by Section 15-170), an affidavit stating whether there
has been any change in the ownership or use of the property or
the status of the owner-resident, or that a disabled veteran
who qualifies under Section 15-165 owned and used the property
as of January 1 of that year. The nature of any change shall be
stated in the affidavit. Failure to file an affidavit shall, in
the discretion of the assessment officer, constitute cause to

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terminate the exemption of that property, notwithstanding any
other provision of this Code. Owners of 5 or more such exempt
parcels within a county may file a single annual affidavit in
lieu of an affidavit for each parcel. The assessment officer,
upon request, shall furnish an affidavit form to the owners, in
which the owner may state whether there has been any change in
the ownership or use of the property or status of the owner or
resident as of January 1 of that year. The owner of 5 or more
exempt parcels shall list all the properties giving the same
information for each parcel as required of owners who file
individual affidavits.
However, titleholders or owners of the beneficial interest
in any property exempted under any of the following provisions
are not required to submit an annual filing under this Section:
(1) Section 15-45 (burial grounds) in counties of less
than 3,000,000 inhabitants and owned by a not-for-profit
organization.
(2) Section 15-40.
(3) Section 15-50 (United States property).
If there is a change in use or ownership, however, notice
must be filed pursuant to Section 15-20.
An application for homestead exemptions shall be filed as
provided in Section 15-170 (senior citizens homestead
exemption), Section 15-172 (senior citizens and disabled
persons assessment freeze homestead exemption), and Sections
15-175 (general homestead exemption), 15-176 (general

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alternative homestead exemption), and 15-177 (long-time
occupant homestead exemption), respectively.
(Source: P.A. 95-644, eff. 10-12-07.)
(35 ILCS 200/15-172)
Sec. 15-172. Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons
Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption.
(a) This Section may be cited as the Senior Citizens and
Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption.
(b) As used in this Section:
"Applicant" means an individual who has filed an
application under this Section.
"Base amount" means the base year equalized assessed value
of the residence plus the first year's equalized assessed value
of any added improvements which increased the assessed value of
the residence after the base year.
"Base year" means the taxable year prior to the taxable
year for which the applicant first qualifies and applies for
the exemption provided that in the prior taxable year the
property was improved with a permanent structure that was
occupied as a residence by the applicant who was liable for
paying real property taxes on the property and who was either
(i) an owner of record of the property or had legal or
equitable interest in the property as evidenced by a written
instrument or (ii) had a legal or equitable interest as a
lessee in the parcel of property that was single family

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residence. If in any subsequent taxable year for which the
applicant applies and qualifies for the exemption the equalized
assessed value of the residence is less than the equalized
assessed value in the existing base year (provided that such
equalized assessed value is not based on an assessed value that
results from a temporary irregularity in the property that
reduces the assessed value for one or more taxable years), then
that subsequent taxable year shall become the base year until a
new base year is established under the terms of this paragraph.
For taxable year 1999 only, the Chief County Assessment Officer
shall review (i) all taxable years for which the applicant
applied and qualified for the exemption and (ii) the existing
base year. The assessment officer shall select as the new base
year the year with the lowest equalized assessed value. An
equalized assessed value that is based on an assessed value
that results from a temporary irregularity in the property that
reduces the assessed value for one or more taxable years shall
not be considered the lowest equalized assessed value. The
selected year shall be the base year for taxable year 1999 and
thereafter until a new base year is established under the terms
of this paragraph.
"Chief County Assessment Officer" means the County
Assessor or Supervisor of Assessments of the county in which
the property is located.
"Disabled person" means a person unable to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically

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determinable physical or mental impairment that (i) can be
expected to result in death or (ii) has lasted or can be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12
months. Disabled persons applying for the exemption under this
Section must submit proof of the disability in the manner
prescribed by the chief county assessment officer. Proof that
an applicant is eligible to receive disability benefits under
the federal Social Security Act constitutes proof of disability
for purposes of this Section. Issuance of an Illinois Disabled
Person Identification Card to the applicant stating that the
possessor is under a Class 2 disability, as defined in Section
4A of the Illinois Identification Card Act, constitutes proof
that the person is a disabled person for purposes of this
Section. A disabled person not covered under the federal Social
Security Act and not presenting a Disabled Person
Identification Card stating that the claimant is under a Class
2 disability shall be examined by a physician designated by the
chief county assessment officer, and the status as a disabled
person shall be determined using the standards of the Social
Security Administration. The applicant shall pay the costs of
any required examination.
"Equalized assessed value" means the assessed value as
equalized by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
"Household" means the applicant, the spouse of the
applicant, and all persons using the residence of the applicant
as their principal place of residence.

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"Household income" means the combined income of the members
of a household for the calendar year preceding the taxable
year.
"Income" has the same meaning as provided in Section 3.07
of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief
and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, except that, beginning in
assessment year 2001, "income" does not include veteran's
benefits.
"Internal Revenue Code of 1986" means the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor law or laws
relating to federal income taxes in effect for the year
preceding the taxable year.
"Life care facility that qualifies as a cooperative" means
a facility as defined in Section 2 of the Life Care Facilities
Act.
"Maximum income limitation" means:
(1) $35,000 prior to taxable year 1999;
(2) $40,000 in taxable years 1999 through 2003;
(3) $45,000 in taxable years 2004 through 2005;
(4) $50,000 in taxable years 2006 and 2007; and
(5) $55,000 in taxable year 2008 and thereafter.
"Residence" means the principal dwelling place and
appurtenant structures used for residential purposes in this
State occupied on January 1 of the taxable year by a household
and so much of the surrounding land, constituting the parcel
upon which the dwelling place is situated, as is used for

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residential purposes. If the Chief County Assessment Officer
has established a specific legal description for a portion of
property constituting the residence, then that portion of
property shall be deemed the residence for the purposes of this
Section.
"Taxable year" means the calendar year during which ad
valorem property taxes payable in the next succeeding year are
levied.
(c) Beginning in (1) taxable year 1994, for a senior
citizens and (2) taxable year 2009, for disabled persons, an
assessment freeze homestead exemption is granted for real
property that is improved with a permanent structure that is
occupied as a residence by an applicant who (i) is 65 years of
age or older, or disabled, during the taxable year, (ii) has a
household income that does not exceed the maximum income
limitation, (iii) is liable for paying real property taxes on
the property, and (iv) is an owner of record of the property or
has a legal or equitable interest in the property as evidenced
by a written instrument. This homestead exemption shall also
apply to a leasehold interest in a parcel of property improved
with a permanent structure that is a single family residence
that is occupied as a residence by a person who (i) is 65 years
of age or older, or disabled, during the taxable year, (ii) has
a household income that does not exceed the maximum income
limitation, (iii) has a legal or equitable ownership interest
in the property as lessee, and (iv) is liable for the payment

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of real property taxes on that property.
In counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the amount of
the exemption for all taxable years is the equalized assessed
value of the residence in the taxable year for which
application is made minus the base amount. In all other
counties, the amount of the exemption is as follows: (i)
through taxable year 2005 and for taxable year 2007 and
thereafter, the amount of this exemption shall be the equalized
assessed value of the residence in the taxable year for which
application is made minus the base amount; and (ii) for taxable
year 2006, the amount of the exemption is as follows:
(1) For an applicant who has a household income of
$45,000 or less, 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.
(2) For an applicant who has a household income
exceeding $45,000 but not exceeding $46,250, the amount of
the exemption is (i) the equalized assessed value of the
residence in the taxable year for which application is made
minus the base amount (ii) multiplied by 0.8.
(3) For an applicant who has a household income
exceeding $46,250 but not exceeding $47,500, the amount of
the exemption is (i) the equalized assessed value of the
residence in the taxable year for which application is made
minus the base amount (ii) multiplied by 0.6.
(4) For an applicant who has a household income

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exceeding $47,500 but not exceeding $48,750, the amount of
the exemption is (i) the equalized assessed value of the
residence in the taxable year for which application is made
minus the base amount (ii) multiplied by 0.4.
(5) For an applicant who has a household income
exceeding $48,750 but not exceeding $50,000, the amount of
the exemption is (i) the equalized assessed value of the
residence in the taxable year for which application is made
minus the base amount (ii) multiplied by 0.2.
When the applicant is a surviving spouse of an applicant
for a prior year for the same residence for which an exemption
under this Section has been granted, the base year and base
amount for that residence are the same as for the applicant for
the prior year.
Each year at the time the assessment books are certified to
the County Clerk, the Board of Review or Board of Appeals shall
give to the County Clerk a list of the assessed values of
improvements on each parcel qualifying for this exemption that
were added after the base year for this parcel and that
increased the assessed value of the property.
In the case of land improved with an apartment building
owned and operated as a cooperative or a building that is a
life care facility that qualifies as a cooperative, the maximum
reduction from the equalized assessed value of the property is
limited to the sum of the reductions calculated for each unit
occupied as a residence by a person or persons (i) 65 years of

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age or older, or disabled, (ii) with a household income that
does not exceed the maximum income limitation, (iii) who is
liable, by contract with the owner or owners of record, for
paying real property taxes on the property, and (iv) who is an
owner of record of a legal or equitable interest in the
cooperative apartment building, other than a leasehold
interest. In the instance of a cooperative where a homestead
exemption has been granted under this Section, the cooperative
association or its management firm shall credit the savings
resulting from that exemption only to the apportioned tax
liability of the owner who qualified for the exemption. Any
person who willfully refuses to credit that savings to an owner
who qualifies for the exemption is guilty of a Class B
misdemeanor.
When a homestead exemption has been granted under this
Section and an applicant then becomes a resident of a facility
licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, the exemption shall
be granted in subsequent years so long as the residence (i)
continues to be occupied by the qualified applicant's spouse or
(ii) if remaining unoccupied, is still owned by the qualified
applicant for the homestead exemption.
Beginning January 1, 1997 for senior citizens and January
1, 2009 for disabled persons, when an individual dies who would
have qualified for an exemption under this Section, and the
surviving spouse does not independently qualify for this
exemption because he or she meets neither the of age nor the

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disability requirement, the exemption under this Section shall
be granted to the surviving spouse for the taxable year
preceding and the taxable year of the death, provided that,
except for meeting neither the age nor the disability
requirement, the surviving spouse meets all other
qualifications for the granting of this exemption for those
years.
When married persons maintain separate residences, the
exemption provided for in this Section may be claimed by only
one of such persons and for only one residence.
For taxable year 1994 only, in counties having less than
3,000,000 inhabitants, to receive the exemption, a person shall
submit an application by February 15, 1995 to the Chief County
Assessment Officer of the county in which the property is
located. In counties having 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, for
taxable year 1994 and all subsequent taxable years, to receive
the exemption, a person may submit an application to the Chief
County Assessment Officer of the county in which the property
is located during such period as may be specified by the Chief
County Assessment Officer. The Chief County Assessment Officer
in counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants shall annually
give notice of the application period by mail or by
publication. In counties having less than 3,000,000
inhabitants, beginning with taxable year 1995 and thereafter,
to receive the exemption, a person shall submit an application
by July 1 of each taxable year to the Chief County Assessment

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Officer of the county in which the property is located. A
county may, by ordinance, establish a date for submission of
applications that is different than July 1. The applicant shall
submit with the application an affidavit of the applicant's
total household income, age, marital status (and if married the
name and address of the applicant's spouse, if known),
disability (if applying for the exemption as a disabled
person), and principal dwelling place of members of the
household on January 1 of the taxable year. The Department
shall establish, by rule, a method for verifying the accuracy
of affidavits filed by applicants under this Section, and the
Chief County Assessment Officer may conduct audits of any
taxpayer claiming an exemption under this Section to verify
that the taxpayer is eligible to receive the exemption. Each
application shall contain or be verified by a written
declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury. A
taxpayer's signing a fraudulent application under this Act is
perjury, as defined in Section 32-2 of the Criminal Code of
1961. The applications shall be clearly marked as applications
for the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze
Homestead Exemption and must contain a notice that any taxpayer
who receives the exemption is subject to an audit by the Chief
County Assessment Officer.
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, in
counties having fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, if an
applicant fails to file the application required by this

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Section in a timely manner and this failure to file is due to a
mental or physical condition sufficiently severe so as to
render the applicant incapable of filing the application in a
timely manner, the Chief County Assessment Officer may extend
the filing deadline for a period of 30 days after the applicant
regains the capability to file the application, but in no case
may the filing deadline be extended beyond 3 months of the
original filing deadline. In order to receive the extension
provided in this paragraph, the applicant shall provide the
Chief County Assessment Officer with a signed statement from
the applicant's physician stating the nature and extent of the
condition, that, in the physician's opinion, the condition was
so severe that it rendered the applicant incapable of filing
the application in a timely manner, and the date on which the
applicant regained the capability to file the application.
Beginning January 1, 1998, notwithstanding any other
provision to the contrary, in counties having fewer than
3,000,000 inhabitants, if an applicant fails to file the
application required by this Section in a timely manner and
this failure to file is due to a mental or physical condition
sufficiently severe so as to render the applicant incapable of
filing the application in a timely manner, the Chief County
Assessment Officer may extend the filing deadline for a period
of 3 months. In order to receive the extension provided in this
paragraph, the applicant shall provide the Chief County
Assessment Officer with a signed statement from the applicant's

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physician stating the nature and extent of the condition, and
that, in the physician's opinion, the condition was so severe
that it rendered the applicant incapable of filing the
application in a timely manner.
In counties having less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, if an
applicant was denied an exemption in taxable year 1994 and the
denial occurred due to an error on the part of an assessment
official, or his or her agent or employee, then beginning in
taxable year 1997 the applicant's base year, for purposes of
determining the amount of the exemption, shall be 1993 rather
than 1994. In addition, in taxable year 1997, the applicant's
exemption shall also include an amount equal to (i) the amount
of any exemption denied to the applicant in taxable year 1995
as a result of using 1994, rather than 1993, as the base year,
(ii) the amount of any exemption denied to the applicant in
taxable year 1996 as a result of using 1994, rather than 1993,
as the base year, and (iii) the amount of the exemption
erroneously denied for taxable year 1994.
For purposes of this Section, a person who will be 65 years
of age or is disabled during the current taxable year shall be
eligible to apply for the homestead exemption during that
taxable year. Application shall be made during the application
period in effect for the county of his or her residence.
The Chief County Assessment Officer may determine the
eligibility of a life care facility that qualifies as a
cooperative to receive the benefits provided by this Section by

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use of an affidavit, application, visual inspection,
questionnaire, or other reasonable method in order to insure
that the tax savings resulting from the exemption are credited
by the management firm to the apportioned tax liability of each
qualifying resident. The Chief County Assessment Officer may
request reasonable proof that the management firm has so
credited that exemption.
Except as provided in this Section, all information
received by the chief county assessment officer or the
Department from applications filed under this Section, or from
any investigation conducted under the provisions of this
Section, shall be confidential, except for official purposes or
pursuant to official procedures for collection of any State or
local tax or enforcement of any civil or criminal penalty or
sanction imposed by this Act or by any statute or ordinance
imposing a State or local tax. Any person who divulges any such
information in any manner, except in accordance with a proper
judicial order, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Nothing contained in this Section shall prevent the
Director or chief county assessment officer from publishing or
making available reasonable statistics concerning the
operation of the exemption contained in this Section in which
the contents of claims are grouped into aggregates in such a
way that information contained in any individual claim shall
not be disclosed.
(d) Each Chief County Assessment Officer shall annually

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publish a notice of availability of the exemption provided
under this Section. The notice shall be published at least 60
days but no more than 75 days prior to the date on which the
application must be submitted to the Chief County Assessment
Officer of the county in which the property is located. The
notice shall appear in a newspaper of general circulation in
the county.
Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of the State Mandates Act,
no reimbursement by the State is required for the
implementation of any mandate created by this Section.
(Source: P.A. 94-794, eff. 5-22-06; 95-644, eff. 10-12-07.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,