Oak Park, Illinois –

The annual filing season for money-saving property tax exemptions is open through April 21.  Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar encourages taxpayers who have not yet filed or renewed their exemptions to do so by the deadline. 

Illinois law provides several types of exemptions for ownership-occupied homes, but most property owners who received exemptions last year will not have to file anything.  This is because many types of property tax exemptions are automatically renewed each year.   

Homeowners in the following categories, however, will have to file new exemption applications or renew prior year exemptions during the filing season: 

• Senior citizens (65 years and up) who received the Senior Freeze Exemption last year. 

• Senior homeowners who turned 65 in 2024 or purchased their homes in 2024. 

• Homeowners who are not seniors who purchased their homes in 2023. 

• Most disabled veterans who received the Disabled Veterans Exemption last year. 

• Homeowners who were diagnosed with a qualifying disability in 2024. 

• 2024 homeowners who are World War II veterans (new exemption for 2024). 

Taxpayers who apply for exemptions by the April 21 deadline should see the exemptions on their second installment tax bills, which should be mailed this summer.  Residents can file for exemptions through the Cook County Assessor’s website or with the help of the Oak Park Township Assessor’s office.  

The Oak Park Township Assessor’s office is experienced in helping residents file for exemptions and can help residents understand the proof and qualifications required for obtaining exemptions.   The township can also check to see if taxpayers are eligible for refunds from missing exemptions for prior years.  Residents seeking help from the township should call for an appointment.   

“For those who miss the April 21 deadline, all is not lost,” Assessor ElSaffar said.  “But such taxpayers will not see exemptions on their second installment bills and will instead have to go through an extra process to get a corrected bill.  Taxpayers can avoid this extra work by filing for exemptions by April 21.”   

Release Date: April 6, 2025