Kifowit Introduces Bill to Help Ease Property Tax Burden for Gold Star Families

AURORA, Ill. –State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, introduced legislation this week to provide property tax relief for the families of fallen soldiers.    

“It is important to keep in mind that it is not just veterans that are affected when returning home from war, but the families of the veterans as well.  The families of those veterans who have passed while fighting for our freedom must also receive care,” Kifowit said.  “The families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice suffer unspeakable loss and their lives are cast into great upheaval.  My goal with legislation is to provide these suffering families with some stability by extending the disabled veteran’s tax relief programs to the families of those who have given their lives.”

House Bill 4793 provides for a $100,000 property tax exemption which is applied to the value of a home owned by the widow of a soldier who has lost their life while on duty.  The exemption does cease if the spouse eventually remarries.

“We cannot overlook the families of fallen soldiers in their time of comfort.  I want to ensure that we honor the memory of the brave men and women who gave everything.  This can be done by taking care of the veteran’s loved ones,” Kifowit said.  “This tax exemption is a small gesture the state can do to ease the burden of those families who are dealing with loss while at the same time honoring soldiers that have fallen.”

Furthermore, the bill increases the exemption for those veterans who are declared 100 percent disabled from $70,000 to $100,000.

For more information, please contact Rep. Kifowit’s constituent service office at 630-585-1308, email Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net, or visit www.ILDistrict84.com.

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