Illinois House Bill HB1372

Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/23
• Refer: 1/31/23
• Refer: 2/21/23
• Refer: 3/10/23

Caption

PROP TX-DISABILITIES

Impact

The bill provides significant changes to the renewal process of the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities. Under the new provisions, the chief county assessment officer may renew this exemption without requiring the claimant to reapply annually, subject to certain conditions. This change is expected to reduce the administrative burden on individuals with disabilities and potentially increase the number of eligible claimants, enhancing financial support for this demographic in Illinois.

Summary

House Bill 1372, introduced by Rep. David Friess, proposes amendments to the Property Tax Code that expand the eligibility of health care providers who can assess a claimant's disability for the purpose of obtaining a homestead exemption. The bill specifically adds physical therapists to the list of approved health care providers able to conduct these examinations, thereby broadening accessibility for individuals with disabilities seeking tax relief on their primary residence. The existing homestead exemption offers a deduction of $2,000 from the property's assessed value for eligible individuals with disabilities.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB1372 may arise from stakeholders concerned about the implications of adding physical therapists to the qualifying health care providers. Some legislators and advocacy groups may express apprehension regarding the qualifications and the standards required for assessments, fearing that this could lead to inconsistencies in the evaluation process. There may also be discussions about the potential increase in budgetary impacts on local government revenues due to expanded exemptions, raising concerns about how this might affect funding for community services.