Older Chicagoans, including AARP Illinois’ 250,000+ members in Chicago, are struggling to make ends meet while staying in the homes they love. We know this from the calls to our office from desperate seniors looking for guidance on property tax appeals and other remedies. And we know it from compelling research conducted by AARP in our efforts to advocate for those 50-plus and their families.
Last year, nearly half of Chicago voters 50-plus said they personally considered leaving the city of Chicago in the past year. Economic reasons like a need for a lower cost of living (79%) and lower taxes (73%) were key reasons for potentially leaving the city.
In August, Illinois residents painted the picture of what managing tight finances looks like for them: 63% of Illinois adults eat out less, 45% buy fewer clothes, 36% spend less on groceries, 29% cancel vacations, and 10% put off or postpone doctor appointments or cut back on prescription medications.
And this week, when AARP Chicago invited its members to send e-mails to their City Council member explaining why they cannot afford a property tax increase, 363 did within the first 12 hours. Many talked about being on fixed incomes, unable to pay increased bills and still live comfortably. Others described how their taxes have doubled while the value of their homes has only grown 10% in a decade.
This proposed $68 million hike comes after the total property tax burden on Chicagoans has already risen by 53.3% in the last decade. Comparably, during that same time period, inflation rose by 35%.
An inability to pay property taxes has a ripple effect. If unable to keep up with taxes, our parents, aunts, uncles and other loved ones who have spent decades investing in and aging in their homes stand to lose those very homes and all of their equity in them. It increases the need for people to use property tax deferral programs and makes more glaring the stagnant eligibility levels that haven’t kept pace with household incomes.
As a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advocating for those 50-plus and their families, AARP Illinois cannot stand by without letting Chicago leaders know how harmful another property tax increase would be to older adults in the city.
Older adults in Chicago have earned the right to stay in the homes they own, and they’re counting on city leaders to do everything in their power to ensure that happens.
Philippe Largent is state director of AARP Illinois.
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