Assessor Kaegi Announces Opening of Property Tax-Saving Exemptions

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi (podium) stands with (l-r) Alderwoman Jeylú Gutiérrez, 14th Ward; Alderman Anthony Quezada, 35th Ward; Jessica Vásquez, Cook County Commissioner, 8th District; Kasia Kawa, Director of Customer Service, Cook County Assessor's Office; Jennifer Sanchez, Director of Communications, Cook County Assessor's Office; Tonika Johnson, Artist and Social Activist; Alderman Michael Rodriguez, 22nd Ward; Derek Giffin, Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi (podium) stands with (l-r) Alderwoman Jeylú Gutiérrez, 14th Ward; Alderman Anthony Quezada, 35th Ward; Jessica Vásquez, Cook County Commissioner, 8th District; Kasia Kawa, Director of Customer Service, Cook County Assessor's Office; Jennifer Sanchez, Director of Communications, Cook County Assessor's Office; Tonika Johnson, Artist and Social Activist; Alderman Michael Rodriguez, 22nd Ward; Derek Giffin, Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County.

Assessor Kaegi Announces Opening of Property Tax-Saving Exemptions

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced today that property tax–saving exemptions applications for the current tax year are now available.

Exemptions reduce the taxable value of properties, lowering a homeowner’s tax bill. The most common is the Homeowner Exemption, which saves the typical homeowner nearly $1,000 each year.

“Homeowners should take full advantage of this opportunity to save money on their property tax bill” said Assessor Kaegi, who was joined by community partners and elected officials for the opening announcement at a press conference on Wednesday, March 11.

“If you live in your home and don’t claim exemptions you may be eligible for, you’re missing out on hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands of dollars, in property tax savings.”

Here are some key things that homeowners should know when applying for exemptions:

The Homeowner, Senior, and Persons with Disabilities exemptions are automatically renewed.

However, homeowners must reapply annually for the Veterans with Disabilities, in some cases, and the “Senior Freeze” exemptions. Seniors and disabled veterans that need to reapply will be mailed application booklets by the Assessor’s Office.

Applications can be downloaded at www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions, where forms are available in Spanish, Polish, and simplified Chinese languages.

Homeowners can also easily access the online application at www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions. This streamlined online process can reduce the time it takes to apply. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply this way because it allows Assessor staff to easily locate the application, provide a status update, and notify the homeowner if missing documents are needed.

“We know firsthand that coming to our office for some may be stressful because of the volume of the information that we need to relay, so we put forward every effort that we can to ensure that the taxpayer’s experience with our office is simple and easy,” said Kasia Kawa, Director of Customer Service at the Assessor’s Office.

“When homeowners have access to this information, it can help them have savings on property taxes. It can also help them stay in their homes and continue to invest in their communities,” said Tonika Johnson, artist and community activist.

If homeowners are unsure of their existing exemptions, they can review the “Exemptions History & Status” section of the “Property Details” page for their home.

 If homeowners have any further questions, please reach out to the Assessor’s Office at (312) 443-7550 or through the website here.

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