putintime

Way to go Al!!!, We need to all step up. I personally talked to the following co-sponsor, he kept his word...There are a some more.... we'll see. The harder ones will be in the senate. But contact all, many email addresses have changed, but the people answering the phone are polite and giving the updated one. 9th Co-Sponsor....many to go...... Rep. M. Walker - 66th District Please call, write, fax, or email this Rep. and Thank him for his support in HB0273, we need all the attention that we can get. Let's get it going full speed.... Take Care putintime

2 More Co-Sponsors: Rep. J. Fritchey - 6th District Rep. C. Gordon - 38th District Please call, write, fax, or email these Reps and Thank them for thier support in HB0273, we need all the attention that we can get. Let's get it going full speed.... Take Care, putintime

We are at 4 Chief Co-Sponsors: Rep. T Schmitz - 49th District Rep. J. Watson - 97th District Rep. J. Franks - 63rd District Rep. P. Bellock - 47th District We are at 2 Co-Sponsors: Rep. P. Verschoore - 72nd District Rep. R. Myers - 94th District Please call, write, fax, or email these reps and Thank them for thier support in HB0273, we need all the attention that we can get. Let's get it going full speed.... Take Care, putintime

Sam & Justme1949 The books were sent at 1300 today, Some of the email addresses need to be updated, I just called the reps /Senators office and they hooked me up. we now have 5 more co-sponsors for HB0273 as of 27 Jan 09. So far I have received 10 emails responses saying they will consider, 1/2 have co-sponsored so far, now I am formatting a Thank You letter. Take Care, Pete

Al, Thanks for the LINK, all you guys that have that computer savy are life savers....time savers. I'll get these books out today. Anyone else that needs one just let me know.. Pete

Al, Send me your address and I'll get a book with all the email addresses of All the representatives / senators in it. I'm sending one out to a fellow Illinois veteran today (justme1949 I have it in the envelope). You are right on with the importance of this legislation, if this does not go it could be YEARS before anything is brought up again!!!! Take Care, Pete

Justme49. Got your address, I will get it out within a couple days... Take Care, Pete

Justme49 - What I did was ordered 100 Handbooks of Government in Illinois, It has all the email addresses for those that have one, those that don't have one listed I call and ask for it. If you want I can snail mail you a book, I've been giving them out all over. It is the 2007-2008 version and a total of 10 new faces are in the House / Senate and their information is not updated on the Web site yet. We must unite and write, now is the time to act....Let them know we are watching them. I have already emailed 35 reps to co-sponsor HB0273, This legislative bill is very much to the point depending on you disabilty % will exempt that much property tax. The other one they past Public Act 95-0644 can be minipulated on how each county reads it. Just let me know... Take Care, Pete

HB0273 Property Tax / Disabled Veteran / Abatement House Rep - Sponsor - Ron Stevens Introduced 01/21/09 Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance 35 ILCS 200/18-179 new Synopsis As Introduced Amends the Property Tax Code. Requires the county clerk to abate a percentage of the property taxes levied on each parcel of property that is owned and used exclusively as a home by a disabled veteran, or the spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran. Provides that the percentage of taxes to be abated is equal to the percentage of disability of the veteran. Effective immediately. Contact your State Represenatives / Senators to Co-Sponsor this for second and third reading or it will die.... Take Care

Since this concerns Illinois Veterans I'll reinerate the importance of contacting the Illinois lawmakers to make this Public Act 095-644 understood the way it was written. Please get involved.....If you are a Illinois resident / veteran and it affects you, just think $5,000.00 annually is $2.60 per hour of wages on 40 hour work week. New 96th Illinois General Assembly...Be Heard Let us make sure the Illinois General Assembly (IGA) that we need to make this injustice right..... The form is PTAX-342, An application for Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (DVSHE) form has been generated from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). It is correct on the proper property tax exemption, although all over the form mentions Estimated Assessed Value (EAV) reduction. It is funny that no where in Public Act 95-0644, 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) does it mention EAV until they write about limit value of exemption (which is $250,000 EAV) on total resident property worth. All other sections in this Illinois Public Act 95-0644 that was passed 17 October 2007, write about EAV and are very specific on the intent in the 8 different sections concerning "Homestead Exemptions". 35 ILCS 200/15-165 35 ILCS 200/15-167 35 ILCS 200/15-168 35 ILCS 200/15-170 35 ILCS 200/15-172 35 ILCS 200/15-175 35 ILCS 200/15-177 35 ILCS 200/15-176 To be told this is just an "oversight" sounds goofy to me. How many lawyers picked through this before it became a law? I have personally faxed and mailed letters to all the co-sponsors of HR0664 that generated this Public Act 95-0644, and have only recieved 1 call saying that it was being looked into. Also letters & faxes have been sent to the Illinois Governor, Asst Gov, Illinois Director of Veteran Affairs (IDVA), Mayor of Chicago, and the IDOR for clarity on this law for disabled veterans. Please help us out, Call your Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them to quote the law of Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) as it reads, and not what they "assume". Remember power is in numbers!!! Here is some quick numbers for you: This will make a difference of $2500 / $5000 yearly off your property tax, compared to $200 to $500 a year, which is what our property taxes in Illinois have annually gone up historically for the last 10 years. Illinois has always been way behind to other states when properly compensating the severally disabled veterans that are on limited income because of their disabilities. There is a time limitation for each county in Illinois when using the form PTAX-342 and it must be submitted in order to get this benefit for this year 2008 (2007 assessed year). Read the fine print on the back of the form concerning documentation that is needed, it can be misleading. Sorry to ramble, just want to help fellow Illinois veterans. Take Care

New 96th Illinois General Assembly...Be Heard Let us make sure the Illinois General Assembly (IGA) that we need to make this injustice right..... The form is PTAX-342, An application for Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (DVSHE) form has been generated from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). It is correct on the proper property tax exemption, although all over the form mentions Estimated Assessed Value (EAV) reduction. It is funny that no where in Public Act 95-0644, 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) does it mention EAV until they write about limit value of exemption (which is $250,000 EAV) on total resident property worth. All other sections in this Illinois Public Act 95-0644 that was passed 17 October 2007, write about EAV and are very specific on the intent in the 8 different sections concerning "Homestead Exemptions". 35 ILCS 200/15-165 35 ILCS 200/15-167 35 ILCS 200/15-168 35 ILCS 200/15-170 35 ILCS 200/15-172 35 ILCS 200/15-175 35 ILCS 200/15-177 35 ILCS 200/15-176 To be told this is just an "oversight" sounds goofy to me. How many lawyers picked through this before it became a law? I have personally faxed and mailed letters to all the co-sponsors of HR0664 that generated this Public Act 95-0644, and have only recieved 1 call saying that it was being looked into. Also letters & faxes have been sent to the Illinois Governor, Asst Gov, Illinois Director of Veteran Affairs (IDVA), Mayor of Chicago, and the IDOR for clarity on this law for disabled veterans. Please help us out, Call your Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them to quote the law of Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) as it reads, and not what they "assume". Remember power is in numbers!!! Here is some quick numbers for you: This will make a difference of $2500 / $5000 yearly off your property tax, compared to $200 to $500 a year, which is what our property taxes in Illinois have annually gone up historically for the last 10 years. Illinois has always been way behind to other states when properly compensating the severally disabled veterans that are on limited income because of their disabilities. There is a time limitation for each county in Illinois when using the form PTAX-342 and it must be submitted in order to get this benefit for this year 2008 (2007 assessed year). Read the fine print on the back of the form concerning documentation that is needed, it can be misleading. Sorry to ramble, just want to help fellow Illinois veterans. Take Care

We Must Unite...and write... All I ask is to make all the states across the US equal in disabled veterans benefits... How can one state give 100% annual property tax exeption for a 100% disabled veteran, and another state give nothing for those that honorably served. As soon as my kids finish college, my cold disabled buttocks are hauling down to Florida, where 100% disabled veteran, are exempt 100% annual property tax. I am positive that there was different intent of Public Act 95-644 Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169, but to many people think they can read what was meant, instead of what it reads -Black/White. Just leave it the way it means: $2,500 annual property tax exemption for those rated 50-74% disabled $5,000 annual property tax exemption for those disabled veterans rated 75-100% disabled. The Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is only in effect for houses owned by a veteran residence worth more than $800,000 value. We all wish....RIGHT!!!! Look how many disabled Illinois veterans are moving to other states (taking retirement, disablity, pension, and money sources) with better benefits and weather. I will be one in 2013, if not sooner.... Take Care, putintime

Currently I am ordering the Illinois Handbook of Government for my area (LaSalle County) to distribute to as many Veteran affiliates to keep them informed on who is who and how to contact. The books are free and our Illinois Veterans may not have computer access, but these hard copy books are updated every 2 years...Please help me, help the veterans of Illinois... CONTACT ALL ILLINOIS VETERAN AFFILIATES Here are a few: The Illinois American Legion American Veterans (AMVETS) Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) American Military Retiree Association (AMRA) The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) WE ALL NEED TO GET INVOLVED!!!! There are a few ways to contact our House / Senate Represenatives / Senators: 1. Type http://wwwcyberdriveillinois.com/publcatio...708handbook.pdf on the internet. 2. Type Illinios Handbook of Government on the internet 3. Call Springfied, IL. at -800-252-8980 and ask to get a copy of ILLINOIS - Handbook of Government 2007-2008 it is free, and a great reference when a computer is not available. Hope this helps Take Care, putintime

PLEASE GET INVOLVED>>>CONTACT EVERYONE Out of 16,000 Illinois disabled veterans how many even daily socialize with people that live in a house that is worth $1,000,000. When Sen. Rutherford and Sen. Haine (veteran) were throwing out negitivites about this bill, they were bringing up veterans that are 45% disabled getting nothing, I've been around awhile and thought the VA service connected disability percentages were in 10% increments. They also were whinning about revenue having to be paid by others, but they failed to mention how many retired veterans that are going to other states because of better benefits given to those that deserve. We need more than 5 veterans in the state Senate (only 2 voted Yea) that know how the VA operates, and what it takes to get a service connected disablity. These guys sounded goofy discussing veteran issues and millions of dollars in homes & businesses that these service connected disabled veterans have. We needed DVA Duckworth up there as a rep instead of Sen. Rutheford that was worried about saving face. Take Care, putintime

The recent HB4201 bill sent to the Senate was set up for failure before it even reached the Senate; Go ask Sen. Rutherford were he came up with the 72 million dollar number lost revenue yearly. From disabled veterans on limited income, what a joke. Ok, make it property tax exempt for those that are 100% service connected severally disabled, also for the combat veterans that are screwed up for life for serving thier country and state. Both these veterans are on fixed or limited income because of thier disabilities. So many other states have a number of benefits based on the percentage of the veterans disability rating.Haine (veteran) / Rutherford were making it sound like these disabled veterans live in 1-4 million dollar houses...please...and Dahl, a veteran, didn't even vote, hope to see his name in the ballot come November, saw him in Mendota politician on Aug 10, now the veterans in Mendota will know how he really feels for them. Please spread the word, we have a Public Act 095-0644 (Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169) that is out there to benefit Illinois veterans, it just needs to be tweeked to come in line with so many other states property tax benefits for disabled benefits. Our Representatives/ Senators will not be back in Springfield until November, but they can still get email, faxes, phone calls, and snail mail at thier district offices. On an average each one makes close to 100K a year, beside thier full paying job outside of Springfield. How many veterans and family members are in Illinois that are effected by this injustice. Take Care, putintime

Had to reapply at LaSalle County Assessors office, just received new payment and adjusted my taxes with $5000.00 EAV off property tax. So it comes to about $400.00, just about what my taxes went up this year.

Ask questions ....Contact everyone...Stand up....Be Heard...Get Answers To All; Just contacted many newspapers, the Illinois VA, Illinois American Legion, Illinois Foriegn Legion, and my local county assessors office. Now I am waiting for a response. Let them know, that you know, how the law reads, before they dictate what they presume. Please assist Illinois Severally Disabled Veterans On October 17, 2007 a bill was passed in the Illinois General Assembly it is Public Act 95-0644 Section 35 ILCS 200 / 15-169 new. All Illinois County Assessor Offices (CAO) are saying that this new bill is off the veterans Estimated Assessed Value (EAV) of their property, but the attached approved state bill is very specific. This is very important for Illinois severally disabled veterans, please give us your insight. Please assist in writing..... The law is written as follows: (35 ILCS 200/15-169 new) Sec. 15-169. DISABLED VETERAN STANDARD HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. (a) Beginning with taxable year 2007, an annual homestead exemption, limited to the amounts set forth in subsection (<_<, is granted for property that is used as a qualified residence by a disabled veteran. ( The amount of the exemption under this Section is as follows: (1) for veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 75%, as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the annual exemption is $5,000; and (2) for veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 50%, but less than 75%, as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the annual exemption is $2,500. © The tax exemption under this Section carries over to the benefit of the veteran's surviving spouse as long as the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to the homestead, permanently resides thereon, and does not remarry. If the surviving spouse sells the property, an exemption not to exceed the amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be transferred to his or her new residence as long as it is used as his or her primary residence and he or she does not remarry. (d) The exemption under this Section applies for taxable year 2007 and thereafter. A taxpayer who claims an exemption under Section 15-165 or 15-168 may not claim an exemption under this Section. (e) Application must be made during the application period in effect for the county of his or her residence. The assessor or chief county assessment officer may determine the eligibility of residential property to receive the homestead exemption provided by this Section by application, visual inspection, questionnaire, or other reasonable methods. The determination must be made in accordance with guidelines established by the Department. (f) For the purposes of this Section: "Qualified residence" means real property, but less any portion of that property that is used for commercial purposes, with an equalized assessed value (EAV)of less than $250,000 that is the disabled veteran's primary residence. Property rented for more than 6 months is presumed to be used for commercial purposes. "Veteran" means an Illinois resident who has served as a member of the United States Armed Forces on active duty or State active duty, a member of the Illinois National Guard, or a member of the United States Reserve Forces and who has received an honorable discharge. Sincerely, Concerned Illinois Veteran Life Member: The Illinois American Legion # 203674429 American Veterans (AMVETS) # 2302527 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) # 120199594432 Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) # 410674 American Military Retiree Association (AMRA) # 14185 The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) # 16572873

Ok...It's been over a couple months and have not heard anything about Public Act 95-0644 (35 ILCS 200/15-169 new) since I turned in my exemption with all the proper documentation to the County Assessors office. I guess I'm going to have to wait until tax time to find out if they are going to follow the way the law is written or if they are going to assume what the law says. We must all unite and stand for what is right....$2500 property tax exemption for those 50-74% disabled, and $5000 property tax exemption for all those veterans that are 75-100% disabled. If any disabled veteran has residental property worth more than $250,000 Estamated Assessed Value (EAV) than this new law does not apply. Just read it as it states...not what another presumes

Yesterday, I dropped off my application form PTax-342 to the county assessors office, they were very nice. I also included, a copy of Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169(new) with some highlighted areas, so there was no mistake on how I understood the bill to read (which is quite clear). I asked them if they needed anything else, they stated they would send me coorespondence in the mail if need be. Please make sure that you have the following updated documentation through the recorders office before you give your paperwork and PTax-342 form for property tax exemption: DD214, Property Deed, current disability % rating from VA from VA. Take Care putintime

One state gives 100% property tax exemption if you are 100% disabled, and another state you don't get squat, but politicians babbling how they are there for support, although they never served or have a clue what a severally disabled veteran goes through daily. Then some states wonder why they cannot maintain retired veterans that are experienced in leadership, mentors,and able to finish a job that is needed for our youth to look up too, instead of an excuse on WHY not.... Ask your local Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to help you compare how Illinois Property Tax exemptions compare to other states for disabled veterans, you would be amazed (example: Florida vs. Illinois). Stand up for your rights, You have earned them..Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) is a perfect example of local CCAO "assuming" the given written fact of law, they are trying to say is off the EAV, let them know, show them, what they can not show you...THE FACTS.... Take Care, putintime

Illinois Property Tax Ok...Just need some feedback on how fellow Illinois veterans are being treated concerning the new property tax law concerning disabled veterans with a VA disability % rating of 50-74% and 75-100%. The new Public Law 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169, is pretty clear on the intent of the law as it is written. Depending on the disabled veterans disability % will determine the annual exemption. It seems as if the Chief County Assessor Offices (CCAO) across Illinois are "assuming" this means the "annual exemption" is off the Estamated Assessed Value (EAV) of the property, although this section of the law pertaining to the annual exemption mentions nothing of EAV. If someone has something out there that is written to help the CCAO, or to support the Illinois disabled veteran, please let me know so I can inform other veterans across Illinois. Take Care, putintime

Since I have recieved one feedback response from (Phase I) Illinois Representatives & Senators that co-sponsored this bill (HB664), or from Illinois Depart- ment of Revenue (IDOR), and many other letters & faxes that I have personally sent. Now it is (Phase II) time to write all Illinois Veteran Service Officers (VSO), and Illinois Veteran headquarters representatives (Illinois American Legion, Illinois Veterans of Foriegn Wars, Illinois Disabled Veterans Association, etc...), and see if they have anything in writing that is different than the way the law is written concerning Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new). Please give me insight if any of you are getting negative response from your Chief County Assessor Office (CCAO), Are your (CCAO) interpeting the law to mean the Estimated Assessed Value (EAV), or the way the property annual exemption as the new Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) law reads. We must bond together and get what is due...Let them all know you are aware of what is going on and are showing concern for your fellow veterans Take Care, putintime

Come on....Let us veterans bond together and ask questions on the Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169, don't just take the word of someone that says something, I did that for 20 years by following orders to accomplish the mission. As a civilian and veteran that defended our country, I now ask questions and just say "show me" in writing where it is documented, not because someone in a certain position is "assuming" something. This law that was passed on October 17, 2007 and is very specific on what is written. Why are people not questioning what is told to them? Take Care, putintime

Got a letter.... Today I received a letter form Thomas Holbrook, State Representative, 113th District, He stated "the section should have been drafted more clearly" and "it was a small oversight in the legislation". He goes on to state "The county assessment officials have accurately state that the reduction will be taken from the equalized assessed value of the property. I don't know where this is going but, a small oversight is the difference between $400.00 a year and $5,000 a year annual property tax break. Currently doing some research on Mr. Holbrook with him being the chief sponsor on the pending bill HB1725, and what his intent was for this bill he has proposed. At least he responded to my correspondence, even though it's not what I wanted to hear. To me, it is not a defeat, only a challenge, game on..... Either way it is a small or large win for Illinois disabled veterans Take Care, putintime