With some residents dealing with record-high will increase to their property taxes, Prepare dinner County commissioners on Thursday authorised giving one-time funds of $1,000 to a restricted variety of households struggling probably the most.
These eligible to use will need to have a tax invoice that has climbed at the least 50% in any 12 months since 2021 and have a family earnings at or under 100% of the realm median earnings for an applicant’s family measurement.
The county estimates round 112,000 households are eligible. Commissioner Bridget Gainer, a North Facet Democrat who led the trouble, hopes to open up functions in June and get funds out quickly after.
No commissioner spoke out towards it. Commissioner Donna Miller, a Democrat who represents the south suburbs, the place many owners have skilled file will increase of their property tax payments, stated she hoped the funds would come to residents in her space of the county the place the necessity is excessive.
“There’s many areas, particularly in my district and possibly different districts as nicely, the place seniors are the vast majority of owners,” Miller stated. “Dropping your own home to property taxes or having that stress on you is inflicting a substantial amount of issues.”
The $1,000 funds are a part of a brand new house owner aid fund the county authorised final fall to assist urgently deal with one of many largest complications for residents — sudden skyrocketing property tax payments — whereas commissioners proceed to push lawmakers in Springfield to approve longer-term property tax reform.
The county partnered with the College of Chicago to dig into what’s fueling the massive tax will increase and who’s damage probably the most. They discovered that seniors battle particularly, in addition to residents who stay in gentrifying neighborhoods and within the south suburbs, the place the business property tax base has dwindled.
Individually, Prepare dinner County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ workplace discovered that in 2023, in suburbs south of North Avenue, the median tax invoice climbed almost 20% — the largest improve for any space reassessed in Prepare dinner County in nearly 30 years.
The county has budgeted $15 million for the house owner aid fund, which would offer funds to about 13,600 individuals. The county estimates it might value one other $1.4 million to run the new program. On Thursday, commissioners awarded that contract to Denver-based firm AidKit. The corporate would develop the appliance and web site for the one-time funds, evaluation functions and decide candidates to obtain the cash.
AidKit might use a lottery system to pick candidates, county information present, just like the county’s assured earnings pilot program.
Kristen Schorsch covers public well being and Prepare dinner County for WBEZ.
