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Many disabled veterans in the state are exempt from paying
property taxes, which has been received with lukewarm results.
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, a disabled military
veteran, has been criticized by a Chicago newspaper for not
paying property taxes on her home despite her high income. The
Chicago Sun-Times identified Duckworth as one of the more than
27,000 homeowners in Cook County who avoid paying the tax by
claiming various exemptions made possible by Illinois lawmakers.
The senator is eligible for the tax break in Illinois until she
dies, and if her husband survives her, he will be eligible for
the exemption unless he remarries, the Sun-Times reported.
State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, a veteran of the U.S.
Marine Corps, wants to give more veterans that tax break through
House Bill 2507.
“What this does is include veterans of World War II, regardless
of level of disability,” Kifowit said. “These veterans would
receive a 100% reduction of their property assessed value.”
According to the National World War II Museum, there are just
over 6,000 World War II veterans living in Illinois.
State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, believes the tax break is
just too great.
“I agree that we should be providing some type of relief to our
veterans,” Mayfield said. “They served their country, they came
back, some of them did not come back 100%, but to say that any
individual does not have to pay a tax, and they get zero dollars
and that burden is pushed off to other individuals is just not
right.”
State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, voted in favor of the
measure, but worries about the effects on areas with military
bases.
“That area is hit harder, so we are just trying to find a way
because it's many millions of dollars that those districts are
losing,” Meier said.
The measure also creates an exemption for surviving spouses of
fallen first responders.
After passing both chambers, the bill can now be sent to Gov.
J.B. Pritzker for his approval.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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