By WMBD TV
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — With the legislative session ending May 31, Central Illinois State Senate Republicans are trying to find ways to give out some property tax relief.
Both of them aim to tackle Illinois high property taxes, which are considered the second highest in the nation according to Rocket Mortgage.
The challenge for some of these lawmakers is to give property tax relief while not cutting funds for public schools, fire protection districts, public libraries and more.
That’s where state Sen. Sally Turner’s bill comes in. Her proposal would increase the property value assessment for solar and wind farms. The Beason Republican said these properties paid low property tax rates in the early 2000’s because the business model hadn’t developed.
But in 2026, Turner said these businesses are well established and can afford to pay a higher property tax rate. She said if these properties were charged more, local governments would receive more money, giving them fewer reasons to raise property tax rates.
“A greater share of the tax burden is placed on homeowners, farmers and our small businesses,” she said. “In rural areas like mine, we’re seeing large-scale renewable projects take up productive farmland, and it’s important that the tax structure reflects that reality. This proposal ensures that renewable energy projects are assessed in a way that better reflects their true value.”
This proposal is just one of many proposed by statehouse Republicans, who have pushed for property tax relief for some time. However, since they’re in the minority party, these proposals are usually ignored.
Also, an issue, the state has limited control over property taxes. The property tax rate is mainly decided by local governments and the value of the property.
It’s in that limited power that state Sen. Chris Balkema files his own bill, which supports senior citizens.
It would make changes to the Homestead Act, a law that freezes the property tax rate for anyone above the age of 65 and under a certain income level.
Balkema said Illinois seniors need to reapply for this exemption every year. So, he proposes only requiring residents to apply once, cutting the need for yearly applications.
“It’s just little nuisance things for seniors,” the Channahon Republican said. “In this case to have to show up at the courthouse or show up at the assessor’s office every year and prove they didn’t get younger.”
A more radical idea for property tax relief was pushed by state Sen. Craig Wilcox. The McHenry Republican proposed making anyone over the age of 75 exempt entirely from property taxes at their primary home.
If passed, it would apply to anyone earning under $100,000 in 2027, increasing 1% each year.
Wilcox said senior citizens have already paid their dues and should receive a tax break.
“They’ve paid their taxes. They’ve raised their families. They’ve built the neighborhoods, and they’ve sustained the community that they’re living in. They deserve the opportunity to remain in their homes without the constant fear of being taxed out of them,” he said.
A reporter asked Wilcox what effect this would have on schools that hypothetically would receive less property tax money.
Wilcox said, “If you think about it, these seniors who raised their families have already paid for their children’s education and many times over. They’ve paid those property taxes, they’ve paid for their home, and they’ve paid the interest on it. They deserve to be able to live in that home for the rest of their life without the fear of losing it as the world changes.”
All these proposals are in committee. Lawmakers could talk about them before the session ends but would need Democratic approval to pass.
WMBD TV was first to report on this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
