CITY HALL — The City Council signed off Wednesday on a proposal to grant property-tax relief to households earning $75,000 and under.
In the face of the record property-tax increase approved last year, and with second-installment bills coming due this summer, the Council approved a $20 million rebate package.
Budget Director Alexandra Holt estimated it would cover 155,000 homeowners citywide.
"It is a good and decent first step," said Ald. Joe Moreno (1st). While saying he had submitted a more "robust" proposal, he added, "It's not a huge step, but it's a first good step."
Moreno and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) cheered the rebates, but also called for the program to potentially be extended to renters who face tax increases being passed on in the form of higher rents.
"My goal is people take it," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel, insisting he was out to help homeowners before renters. He echoed Ramirez-Rosa in pointing out, "If you're trying to buy school supplies, or a new outfit for your child for the school year, this is a lot of money."
Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) won an expanded senior allowance as part of the final ordinance, and Ald. John Arena (45th) pushed successfully to have concessions made for homeowners in "extraordinary hardship," with Holt charged to come up with an appeal process on a case-by-case basis.
Holt said she expected to open a 60-day registration period about Oct. 1, with rebate checks delivered by the end of the year.
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