PORTAGE PARK — Far Northwest Side residents can apply for a property tax rebate — designed by city officials to ease the burden of last year’s massive hike — through Nov. 30, officials said.
The program offers rebates of $25 to $200 to homeowners based on the increase in the city's portion of their most recent property tax bill and their household income. Senior citizens who are longtime homeowners may qualify for an additional rebate.
The city also is offering enhanced grants for eligible homeowners —including non-seniors — who are experiencing "significant hardship."
The rebate is designed to help residents cope with a $589 million property tax hike — the largest tax increase in Chicago history — touted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel as the only way to fill the city's massive deficit and shore up pensions for police officers and firefighters.
Heather Cherone explains who is eligible for a rebate.
Homeowners must apply for the rebate in person at one of 26 locations, including City Hall, officials said.
The locations closest to residents of the 36th Ward, 38th Ward, 39th Ward, 41st Ward and 45th Ward are:
• Albany Park branch of the Chicago Public Library, 3401 W. Foster Ave., from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays
• Austin-Irving branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6100 W. Irving Park Road, from noon-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
• Northwest Senior Center, 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave., open from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays
To check whether you are eligible for the program, review the list of requirements.
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