Cook County has launched a new $15 million Homeowner Relief Fund to help residents hit hardest by rising property taxes.
The program, announced by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Bridget Gainer, will provide selected homeowners with a one-time $1,000 grant. Applications are open until Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
“This is part of a broader effort that advances system-wide property tax reforms,” said President Preckwinkle. “It has been a priority for us to support as many homeowners as possible with a measure of relief.”
Commissioner Gainer, who led the push for the program, emphasized its role in keeping families in their homes: “The Homeowner Relief Fund is the culmination of over a year of outreach, research, and policy advocacy. I’m proud to have made this critical program a reality to keep families in their neighborhoods and protect their greatest asset to build wealth: homeownership.”
How It Works
To qualify, applicants must:
- Have experienced a 50% or greater increase in property taxes during the 2021, 2022, or 2023 tax years.
- Have a household income at or below 100% of Cook County’s Area Median Income (for example, $119,900 for a family of four).
- Occupy the property as their primary residence.
Applications will be reviewed in two phases:
- Applicants provide basic personal and demographic information.
- Those who advance must submit documents to verify eligibility.
If demand exceeds available funds, the county will use a lottery system to select recipients. Payments will be issued shortly after.
The program is being administered by AidKit, Inc., which will host the application website, review applications, and issue payments. Community-based organizations throughout Cook County will also be available to help residents apply, with support in multiple languages.
Research by the University of Chicago Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation confirmed that property tax volatility is a countywide issue, leading to hundreds of homeowner meetings, a public hearing on tax relief, and the fund’s inclusion in the 2025 county budget.
Applications for the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund are open until October 10, 2025. To apply or learn more, visit: cookcountyil.gov/service/cook-county-homeowner-relief-fund.
