AURORA, Ill. – In an effort to stop the tragedy of disabled veterans losing their homes, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, sponsored legislation to give property tax relief to veterans receiving donated housing, who risked foreclosure when forced to pay more. The legislation was passed unanimously out of the House on Nov. 20 and has been sent to the Governor for his signature to become law.
“I became aware of instances where disabled veterans were having the property tax exemption, that they rightfully earned, removed because they received a donated house,” Kifowit said. “This caused several disabled veterans to almost lose the homes they desperately needed, and that simply is not right.”
Sixteen private organizations around the country currently assist disabled veterans with the construction of specially adapted housing. These homes have been built and donated by these charitable organizations to returning military members who have sustained serious injuries while serving our country. However, veterans who had received a donated home at zero cost to them were falling victim to the unintended consequence of a foreclosure as a result of their inability to pay property taxes.
Kifowit is a chief sponsor of Senate Bill 2905, which allows for a veteran to claim a property tax exemption if all of the following are met: the home is built by a charitable organization, the veteran has been approved to receive funding under Title 38, Chapter 21 of the US Code which allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to individuals who have 100% permanent, service-related disability and the home has been inspected by a licensed home inspector to be in compliance with federal standards for Specially Adopted Housing.
“During these tough economic times, it is important we do everything we can to assist the brave men and women who have answered the call to serve,” Kifowit said. “As a former United States Marine, I will continue to advocate for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
Additionally, Senate Bill 2905 would expand property tax relief for disabled veterans by increasing the property exemption for 100% disabled veterans from $70,000 to $100,000. This legislation also allows a veteran’s family to claim the exemption if the veteran was killed in the line of duty.
For more information, please contact Rep. Kifowit’s constituent service office at 630-585-1308 or email Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net or visit www.ILDistrict84.com
