By Jon Bannister
The Lansing Journal
March 14, 2026
Reposted with permission.

Cook County homeowners can now apply for property tax exemptions that could save them hundreds of dollars each year, county officials announced Wednesday, March 11.

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi opened the annual exemption application period during a press conference at the assessor’s office in downtown Chicago, urging residents across the county — including Lansing homeowners — to make sure they are receiving every tax break they qualify for.

“Exemptions are property tax savings available to all homeowners in Cook County,” Kaegi said. “Everybody should take full advantage of the exemptions they are entitled to.”

Officials said many homeowners are still missing savings they qualify for. In some areas of Cook County, as many as one-third of households are not claiming the Homeowner Exemption, the most common property tax break.

More than one million households receive the exemption, which typically saves homeowners about $800 a year on property taxes, according to the assessor’s office.

“If you live in your home and don’t claim exemptions you may be eligible for, you’re missing out on hundreds of dollars — sometimes thousands of dollars — in property tax savings,” Kaegi said.

Major exemptions homeowners should know about

Officials highlighted several major exemptions available to Cook County homeowners.

The Homeowner Exemption applies to people who own and live in their home and are responsible for paying property taxes.

Seniors age 65 or older can apply for a Senior Exemption, while another program known as the Senior Freeze helps prevent large tax increases for seniors on fixed incomes.

Scott Smith, chief of staff at the Cook County Assessor’s Office, said the senior freeze is designed to help homeowners whose property values increase faster than their income.

“That essentially holds your equalized assessed value at one level so that you aren’t seeing an escalating tax bill,” Smith said.

The senior freeze currently applies to homeowners with an annual income below $65,000, though Smith said the threshold will gradually increase.

“Last year our office worked with legislators in Springfield to increase the income limit, and it’s going to be going up to $79,000 over the next couple years,” Smith said. “We’re recognizing that people are getting more from Social Security and inflation is affecting incomes. We don’t want to see them kicked off the senior freeze.”

Additional exemptions are available for veterans and people with disabilities, officials said.

Kaegi also noted that citizenship status does not affect eligibility for most exemptions.

“It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a citizen — you can still receive an exemption,” Kaegi said.

How Homewood and Flossmoor homeowners can apply

Officials said applying for exemptions is easiest through the Cook County Assessor’s website. Homeowners can begin by checking their eligibility online through the assessor’s property search tool. If eligible, residents can then complete the exemption application on the website and upload any required documentation. Once the application is submitted electronically, homeowners can track the status of the request online as it is reviewed and processed by the assessor’s office.

“You don’t have to come down to the office. You don’t have to go to a branch office,” Smith said. “You can do all that from home. You can do it electronically. You could even do it off of your phone if you really wanted to.”

Homeowners who prefer in-person help can schedule appointments at assessor branch offices or attend community outreach events.

Residents who missed exemptions in previous years may also be able to apply retroactively.

Officials said homeowners can file for missing exemptions going back to tax year 2021 if they were eligible but did not apply.

Outreach events planned across Cook County

The assessor’s office plans to host more than two dozen outreach events across Cook County in the coming weeks to help residents understand and apply for exemptions.

Staff will assist homeowners with determining eligibility and completing applications.

Smith said some communities face unique tax challenges because they sit near the Indiana border, where tax structures are different.

The assessor’s office also offers assistance to small businesses that want to appeal property assessments or learn about tax resources.

Officials encouraged homeowners to check their exemption status every year.

“Make sure you check for missing exemptions today,” Kaegi said. “And tell a friend or family member about it.”