House Republicans Outline Real Estate Tax Relief Plan

From State Rep. Jeff Keicher:

SPRINGFIELD – As negotiations continue over legislation to develop a framework for megaprojects in Illinois, including a potential Chicago Bears Stadium in Arlington Heights, and provide property tax relief, State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) was joined by fellow State Representatives Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park), and Nicole La Ha (R-Lemont) at a press conference to outline House Republicans’ property tax reform agenda.

“Crushing property taxes are driving families, small businesses, and opportunities out of Illinois,” said Keicher. “The reality is, property taxes don’t just show up on a bill – they shape major life decisions. Whether a young family can afford a first home, a senior can stay in the home they’ve owned for decades, or a small business can stay afloat, all are directly affected by the high cost of property taxes. Sadly, too many people feel they have little or no say in the process, and that has to change.”

Keicher and House Republicans have offered several proposals that could be passed as standalone bills or included in a broader economic development package for megaprojects. The Republicans noted that instead of simply offering tax relief to large corporations, the state should work to reform the problems created by its broken property tax system.

The House Republican Property Tax Reform Agenda includes:

• HB 9 (Ugaste) – Provides direct property tax relief to homeowners by creating the Fixed Pension Property Tax Relief Plan. (Estimated at $3.5 billion in state property tax relief for 2026 alone.)
• HB 5611, HB 5612 (Weaver) – Provides property tax relief by reinvesting funds from paid bonds.
• HB 2543 (Sosnowski) – Taxpayer Empowerment, forces taxing bodies to ask voters for approval.
• HB 1024 (Cabello) – Mandates sunsets for tax referenda, adds transparency. 
• HB 5550 (Fritts) – Truth in Taxation (increases notice for tax increases).

In addition to the proposals above, Keicher has also sought to address abuse of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts through HB 1142, which would require referendums to approve TIF districts, and HB 1222, which limits TIFs to a maximum of 35 years.

“None of the ideas we are offering are radical; they are rooted in the basic principle that we must respect and protect taxpayers,” said Keicher. “We can once again make our state the place where families and businesses flock to, where they know they can have an affordable and prosperous future. We have all the resources. Now we have to act.”