Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios last week alerted senior homeowners that they should carefully check their second-installment tax bills after they are mailed next week to ensure they are receiving all the money-saving exemptions to which they are entitled. “It’s critical that all homeowners – particularly seniors – carefully review their tax bills to ensure their exemptions appear on their bills,” Assessor Berrios explained. “It is especially important for seniors to make sure they received their Senior Exemption as we are anticipating that many seniors did not reapply for their exemption this year as required by a new state law.”

A new Illinois law requires that seniors re-apply annually for the Senior Citizen Exemption. The Senior Citizen Exemption provides tax relief by reducing the equalized assessed valuation of an eligible residence. This savings is in the form of a deduction on the second-installment property tax bill. Seniors receiving the Senior Citizen Exemption automatically qualify for the Homeowner Exemption, and do not have to apply for it separately. In addition to the Senior Citizen and Homeowner Exemptions, eligible homeowners may also receive the Senior Freeze, Returning Veterans’, Disabled Veterans’, Disabled Persons’ and Long Time Occupant Exemptions. Qualifications for each exemption may be found by visiting the Assessor’s Web site at www.cookcountyassessor.com or by contacting the office at 312-443-7550.