Sangamon Sun

Senate Bill 642, which aims to increase the Senior Freeze Homestead Exemption, passed both houses during the recent veto session with unanimous support from Republican lawmakers. State Representative Mike Coffey described the legislation as overdue and expressed hope that it would soon become law.

“I expect the Governor to sign this bill into law because our seniors are need of relief,” said Coffey. “We must act now to help our seniors in Illinois and this bill moves us in the right direction and is one good bill that passed during veto session.”

The bill raises the income limitation for seniors seeking property tax relief through the exemption. The current threshold of $65,000 will rise to $75,000 for taxable years beginning in 2026, then to $77,000 for 2027, and finally to $79,000 for 2028 and subsequent years. Lawmakers noted that these limitations have not been updated since 2017.

Coffey also recently met with directors from Senior Services of Central Illinois (SSCI) in Springfield. The organization works with local partners such as the city government and park district to provide social activities and services designed to keep seniors engaged in their communities.

Coffey was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois' 95th House District in 2023, succeeding Tim Butler.