Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' Historic Property Tax Sale Reform Legislation Passes in Illinois General Assembly
The bill would overhaul how unpaid property taxes and tax sales are handled after years of complaints from homeowners and tax buyers.
- On Saturday, the Illinois General Assembly passed sweeping property tax foreclosure reforms championed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, sending the measure to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk.
- Illinois lawmakers enacted the change after three years of non-compliance with a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed withholding surplus equity from homeowners unconstitutional.
- Under House Bill 4537, the Cook County Treasurer's office will withhold 100 delinquent tax certificates at each of the next six tax sales, with the final sale held in 2030.
- The legislation creates a surplus equity fund to reimburse homeowners who lost assets during the last two tax sales, following a federal class-action lawsuit that found Cook County liable for damages to 2,500 property owners.
- State Sen. Celina Villanueva said the reform prioritizes "constitutional rights" and fairness over profit, while attorney John Bouman noted the legislation should prevent future property owners from joining the class-action lawsuit.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Chicago Sun Times
Usa newsIllinois lawmakers pass bill to help homeowners catch up with property taxes before losing their homes
After three years of non-compliance with a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Illinois lawmakers have passed a measure that would fundamentally change how counties and taxing bodies in the state can recoup delinquent property taxes.For years, Illinois counties have sold property tax debt to investors who can ultimately seize the properties if their owners fail to redeem the delinquent property taxes. The nation’s highest court ruled it was unconsti…
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' Historic Property Tax Sale Reform Legislation Passes in Illinois General Assembly
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweeping property tax foreclosure reforms pushed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas passed Saturday in the Illinois General Assembly and now head to the governor's desk.
After three years of failure to comply with a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Illinois lawmakers passed a measure that would fundamentally change how counties and state collecting entities can recover late property taxes. For years, Illinois counties have sold property tax debt to investors, who can finally take possession of the property if their owners do not pay the default taxes. The country’s highest court determined that it was unconstitut…
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