General Homestead Exemption (Owner Occupied)

Available to residential property that is occupied by the owner(s) as the principal dwelling place. This exemption is based on occupancy of January 1st of the tax year, and is administrated by the Chief County Assessment Office. Application must be made by Dec. 31st of the tax year. Renewal is automatic. The amount of the exemption is equal to the increase in the current year's equalized assessed value over the 1977 tax year, with a maximum of $5,000.

General Homestead Exemption (Tenant)

Available to single-family residential property occupied by a tenant that is responsible for the real estate taxes. This exemption is based on occupancy of January 1st of the tax year, and is administrated by the Chief County Assessment Office. Application must be made by Dec. 31st of the tax year. The amount of the exemption is equal to the increase of the current year's equalized assessed value over the 1977 tax year, with a maximum of $5,000.

Homestead Improvement Exemption

Available to qualified homeowners who have made improvements to their principal dwelling place.  Exemption is up to $75,000 of the value of the home improvement if the improvement resulted in an assessment increase. This exemption continues for up to four years from completion of the improvement. Your township assessor should submit an application to the Chief County Assessment Office on your behalf at the time the improvement is assessed. Note: if a building permit is required for the home improvement that is a requirement for this exemption.

Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption

Available to qualified senior citizens who are at least 65 years of age. This exemption is administrated by the Chief County Assessment Office.  Homeowners should apply for this $3,500 exemption anytime during the year they turn 65.  Beginning with assessment year 2003, taxes payable in 2004, property that is occupied as a residence by a person who is eligible for this exemption will be granted a pro-rata exemption for the assessment year.  Applications must be made by December 31st of the tax year. Renewal is automatic.

Citizen Assessment Freeze

Available to senior citizens if residential property is owned and occupied by a person at least 65 years of age with a household income of less than $50,000 This exemption is based on occupancy  of January 1 of the application year and January 1 of the year prior to application and is administrated by the Chief County Assessment Office. Annual applications are required. The amount of the exemption is equal to the current year's assessed value over the assessed value prior to the first qualifying year..

Disabled Veterans Exemption

May exempt up to an assessed value of $70,000. The Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs determines eligibility for this exemption.  For questions, phone (217) 785-2252. Applicants are not eligible for this exemption if they are receiving the Disabled Person's Homestead Exemption or the Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemptions.

Returning Veteran's Homestead Exemption

Begins with taxable year 2007. Must be owned and occupied as primary residence of a veteran returning from an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the US who is liable for paying taxes on the property.  "Veteran" means an IL resident who has served as a member of the US Armed Forces, IL National Guard, or US Reserve Forces.  This is a $5,000 exemption for the year the veteran returns from active duty only.

Disabled Person's Homestead Exemption

Begins with taxable year 2007.  Must be owned and occupied as primary residence of a disabled person and they must be liable for paying the property taxes  "Disabled Person" means a person unable to engage in any substantial, gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.  Disabled person must submit proof of disability in one of the following forms:  Issuance of an IL Disabled Person ID Card stating that the claimant is under a Class 2 disability, or eligible to receive disability benefits under the Federal Social Security Act, or claimant must be examined by a DOR designated physician and determined based on same standards as used by the SSA with the cost to be incurred by the claimant.  Verification of eligibility must be submitted to the Assessment Office annually.  Applicants are not eligible for this exemption if they are receiving the Disabled Veteran's Exemption or the Disabled Veteran's Standard Homestead Exemption.

Disabled Veteran's Standard Homestead Exemption

Begins with taxable year 2007. For Veterans with service-connected disability of at least 75% as certified by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the annual exemption is $5,000.  For veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 50% but less than 75%, as certified by the US DVA, the annual exemptions is $2,500.  This exemption carries over to surviving spouse as long as the spouse has a legal interest in the property, permanently resides there and transfers to the new residence as long as it is used as the primary residence and the spouse does not remarry.  "Veteran" means an IL resident who has served as a member of the US Armed Forces on active duty or State active duty, a member of the IL National Guard, or a member of the US Reserve Forces and who has received an honorable discharge.  Applicants are not eligible for this exemption if they are receiving the Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption or the Disabled Veterans Exemption.

Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program

Allows qualified senior citizens to defer part or all of their property taxes on their personal residence. It is a form of loan with a 6% interest rate that is to be repaid after the taxpayers death or at the time the property is sold. To qualify, an applicant must be 65 years old by June 1 of the year the application is made; have a total household income of less than $40,000; have lived on the qualifying property for at least three years; own the property and have no delinquent property taxes on the property. The maximum total amount that can be deferred (including interest and fees) is 80% of the taxpayer's equity in the property. To apply for the program, taxpayers have to file two forms with their County Collector between January and March 1 each year.

Circuit Breaker Tax Relief Program

Pays money back to qualified seniors or disabled citizens for part of their property taxes. To qualify, a person must be at least 65 years of age and annual household income must be under $21,218 for a single person household, $28,480 for a two person household, or $35,740 for a household of 3 or more persons. Qualified seniors pay their tax bills in the regular fashion and then apply to the state for appropriate reimbursement. The Lee County Senior Center can assist in the application process.