IL HB5128

Amends the Property Tax Code Section 15-169 to extend disabled veterans' homestead exemption eligibility to surviving spouses of veterans who died before October 12, 2007 and would have qualified for the exemption.

Surviving spouses remain eligible for the exemption if they hold legal or beneficial title to the homestead, permanently reside there, and do not remarry.

Exemption amounts are $5,000 annually for veterans with at least 75% service-connected disability (2007-2009) or 70% disability (2010 and after), and $2,500 for veterans with 50-74% disability.

Exemption continues if the veteran moves to a nursing home or Veterans Affairs facility, as long as the spouse occupies the residence or it remains unoccupied but owned by the veteran.

Surviving spouses may transfer an exemption to a new primary residence if they sell the property, provided they do not remarry.