Property Tax Abatement for Surviving Spouses of First Responders and Members of the Military
Oct. 20, 2020
The surviving spouses of police officers, rescue workers and members of the military who die in the line of duty may be eligible for a total rebate on their City of Chicago and Cook County property taxes.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The surviving spouses of:
1.) Police officers
2.) Fire fighters
3.) Emergency medical service providers
4.) Members of the military on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan
Which Properties Are Eligible?
Properties used as a principal residence by a surviving spouse that are not occupied by more than two families and were:
1.) Owned by the surviving spouse or the decedent at the time of the death, or
2.) Acquired by the surviving spouse within two years after the death if the surviving spouse lived in Illinois at the time of death, or
3.) Acquired more than two years after the death if the surviving spouse qualified for the abatement for a previous property
What documentation do I need?
Your current driver’s license or passport
Current utility bill
Marriage certificate
Death certificate
Deed to current residence
Application for Death Benefits Pursuant to Line of Duty Compensation Act
(if available, you would have submitted this to the Illinois Court of Claims in Springfield)
Where do I apply?
To apply, submit the application in the link below to the Cook County Board of Review:
https://www.cookcountyboardofreview.com/forms/BOR-Form-692.pdf
Who oversees the program?
The Cook County Board of Review will administer the program.