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HB 5371

PROP TX-PTELL CHICAGO

104th Regular Session Introduced by La Shawn Ford

Bill extends Illinois property tax growth cap (PTELL) to Chicago, limiting annual increases to 5% or inflation rate, constraining city revenue.

Assigned to Revenue & Finance Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 5371

Legislative bill overview

HB 5371 proposes to extend Illinois's Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) to Chicago, which is currently exempt from this statewide property tax growth cap. PTELL limits annual property tax increases to the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation, with specific exceptions. This bill would subject Chicago properties to the same limitations that apply to most other Illinois municipalities.

Why is this important

Chicago generates substantial revenue through property taxes, and extending PTELL would constrain the city's tax base growth and potentially limit funding for schools, infrastructure, and services. Conversely, property owners in Chicago would benefit from predictable tax growth limits. This represents a fundamental shift in how the city finances its operations and could trigger broader state-local fiscal tensions.

Potential points of contention

  • Municipal revenue impact: Chicago currently relies heavily on property tax revenue for schools and services; PTELL would reduce growth in this critical funding stream
  • Equity concerns: Chicago residents have been excluded from PTELL protections for decades; expansion could be framed as overdue fairness or as destabilizing necessary city revenue
  • Implementation complexity: Extending PTELL mid-cycle raises questions about how exemptions and special assessments would be handled for existing obligations

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

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