Sangamon Sun

With property tax installment deadlines approaching across the 108th district, State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) is criticizing the Supermajority Democrats in Springfield for recent tax shifts, tax hikes, and mandates that are expected to drive property taxes higher in Illinois communities.

“One of the main factors that drive people out of Illinois is high taxes compared to neighboring states,” said Rep. Rosenthal. “Homeowners need property tax relief in Illinois, but we must adopt policies that will actually reduce the costs of owning property without raising other taxes in our state.”

According to a Wallet Hub study released in February 2024, Illinois has the second-highest property tax burden in the country, with a statewide 2.23% property tax rate when all 102 counties are combined.

“The facts are clear, Illinoisans have one of the highest overall tax burdens – largely due to out-of-control property tax rates,” Rosenthal said. “Yet, as families struggle to make ends meet, the majority party has done nothing to address high property taxes. Instead, they focus on adding social programs to our General Revenue liabilities while failing to properly fund education and local governments as promised in the 1970 Illinois constitution.”

Numerous proposals supported by Rep. Rosenthal aim to freeze, suspend, or reduce various taxes throughout this General Assembly. However, Democrats have not called these tax relief proposals for a vote and have instead opted to raise nearly $1 billion in new taxes and shift the burden onto local governments at the end of the Spring Session.

The tax relief measures supported by Rep. Rosenthal include:

- HB4354 (Taxing Districts Cap): Caps the increase in a total homeowner's year-to-year property tax bill to no more than 5% unless substantial improvements were made.

- HB3538 (Veteran Homestead Exemptions): No longer requires disabled veterans to submit an annual application for the homestead exemption.

- HB1274 (Property Tax Freeze for Senior Citizens): Increases the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption from $5,000 to $8,000.

- HB4716 (General Assessment Value): Limits any change in assessment resulting from reassessment in the general assessment year to either 3% of the assessed value of the property or changes in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year.

Rep. Rosenthal stated, “My colleagues and I support solutions that would immediately reduce property taxes for Illinois residents, but we must have bipartisan legislation for any real tax cuts. Families deserve to own a home without being weighed down by high taxes and I will continue to advocate for reducing property taxes in the 108th district and across Illinois. The people of Illinois need property tax relief now, not tomorrow. They demand property tax relief today. They are not getting relief from Supermajority Democrats who recently broke their own House Rules to hike taxes on Illinoisans once again.”

For more information, contact Rep. Rosenthal’s office at 217-782-8071.

Representative Wayne Rosenthal serves constituents of Illinois’ 108th District which includes Menard County and portions of Christian, Macoupin, Montgomery, and Sangamon Counties.

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