Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption

This exemption may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Limited Exemption and the Senior Citizen's Homestead Exemptions, if applicable; however, it cannot be claimed in addition to the Disabled Veterans' Exemption of $70,000, or the Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption. This exemption started in tax year 2007 and lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $2,500 if your disability is service-connected and you are at least 50% disabled, but less than 75% disabled.  This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $5,000 if your disability is service-connected and you are at least 75% disabled. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Be a Lake County, Illinois resident and have served in the United States Armed Forces, The Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces, and have received an honorable discharge.
   
• Have at least a 50% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs.
   
• Have owned and occupied the property as the primary residence on or before January 1^st of the tax year.
   
• Supply documentation as required by the instructions on the back of the form.
   
• Have a total equalized assessed value (EAV) of less than $250,000

An unmarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran can continue to receive this exemption on his or her spouse's homestead property or transfer the exemption to a new primary residence.  To qualify, the surviving spouse must meet the following requirements:

• Sell the disabled veteran's previous homestead property before transferring this exemption to his or her new primary residence.
   
• Own and occupy the property as a primary residence and hold a legal or beneficial title to the property on January 1 of the assessment year.
   
• Have a total equalized assessed value (EAV) of less than $250,000.

Please note that this exemption will require annual verification of eligibility. The Chief County Assessment Office will mail the appropriate forms each year to all disabled veterans or their surviving spouses who received the exemption in the prior year.

• First-time applicants can obtain forms from the Chief County Assessment Office or your local township assessors office.
   
• Your completed application must be returned to:

  Chief County Assessment Office
  18 North County Street - 7th Floor
  Waukegan, Illinois 60085-4335

Information on the Disabled Veterans' Exemption ($70,000) through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption Annual Verification Form

After initial application and approval in the first year you qualify for this exemption, it is required that each year thereafter you renew the exemption using this verification form (PTAX-342-R).  The Chief County Assessment Office will mail forms to all persons who received this exemption in the previous year.

• Your completed verification form must be returned to:

  Chief County Assessment Office
  18 North County Street - 7th Floor
  Waukegan, Illinois 60085-4335

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption

This exemption started in tax year 2007 and lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $5,000 in the year you return from active duty in an armed conflict.  It is a one-year exemption, and can be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Limited Exemption and any applicable Senior Citizen's Exemptions.  Note that a veteran who dies during his or her active duty service is eligible to receive this exemption. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Own and occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1 of the tax year for which you are applying.
   
• Have returned from active duty in 2007 or later.

If you were discharged from active duty,

• Supply a copy of your DD214. 

If you are still on active duty,

• Supply a copy of your most recent military orders and travel voucher showing the date of your return. 

The documents must state that you are returning from an armed conflict involving the U.S. armed forces within the tax year for which you are requesting the exemption.

• Your completed application must be returned to:

  Chief County Assessment Office
  18 North County Street - 7th Floor
  Waukegan, Illinois 60085-4335

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption form.