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HB 3808

PROP TX-CIRCUIT BREAKER

104th Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Cassidy and 10 co-sponsors

Illinois property tax circuit breaker would cap tax burden as percentage of household income, providing relief to qualifying homeowners but requiring clarification on funding and eligibility criteria.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3808

Legislative bill overview

HB 3808 proposes a property tax circuit breaker program for Illinois, which would provide tax relief or rebates to qualifying property owners whose property tax burden exceeds a certain percentage of their household income. This is a targeted relief mechanism designed to protect lower and middle-income homeowners from disproportionate property tax increases.

Why is this important

Illinois has among the highest property tax rates in the nation, creating significant financial strain for homeowners on fixed or limited incomes. A circuit breaker program directly addresses affordability by capping the tax burden relative to income, potentially preventing displacement while maintaining municipal revenue stability. The bill's progression through committees suggests legislative interest in addressing the state's well-documented property tax crisis.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue source uncertainty: The bill's current status doesn't specify how the state would fund relief payments, raising questions about whether it creates unfunded mandates or requires new taxation
  • Income threshold eligibility: Determining which households qualify (income limits, property value caps) will be contentious—too restrictive excludes those struggling, too broad strains state budget
  • Impact on local government funding: Property tax relief funded by the state effectively shifts financial burden from property owners to state budget, potentially affecting school and municipal services

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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