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Cook County officials have announced an extension and expansion of the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund, a $15 million program designed to help homeowners who have faced significant property tax increases in recent years. The application deadline has been moved to October 31, 2025, and eligibility requirements have been broadened.
To qualify for the program, homeowners must have experienced at least a 30% increase in property taxes during the 2021, 2022, or 2023 tax years. This is a reduction from the previous threshold of 50%. Applicants must also have a household income at or below 100% of the county’s Area Median Income and occupy the property as their primary residence. Selected recipients will receive a one-time assistance payment of $1,000.
“We want to ensure as many eligible Cook County households as possible are able to apply for this measure of relief,” said President Preckwinkle. “While the Homeowner Relief Fund is just one part of our broader effort to advance system-wide property tax reforms, our priority is to make sure the available program funds make it into the hands of our residents.”
Commissioner Bridget Gainer commented on the work that led to this initiative: "The Homeowner Relief Fund is the culmination of over a year of outreach, research and policy advocacy that will allow us to provide relief to homeowners in need of a lifeline as we work towards sustainable property tax relief. I'm proud to have made this critical program a reality to keep families in their homes and neighborhoods and protect their greatest asset to build wealth: homeownership."
Homeowners who have already applied do not need to reapply; all previously submitted applications will be reviewed under the new eligibility guidelines.
The Homeowner Relief Fund began accepting applications on September 29, 2025. It is part of wider efforts by Cook County to address long-term property tax reform, with initiatives led by the Cook County Property Tax Reform Group (PTAX), which brings together various elected offices involved in the property tax system.
Support for applicants is available through community-based organizations across the county and in multiple languages.
This fund is among several initiatives by Cook County aimed at making homeownership more affordable. Other efforts include the Modular Homes Pilot Program and Down Payment Assistance Program. The county also backs services such as Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt and 211 Metro Chicago to support residents experiencing financial hardship.
More information about the Homeowner Relief Fund can be found at cookcountyil.gov/service/cook-county-homeowner-relief-fund.
