Quinn Proposes Limiting Property Taxes through Local “Taxpayer Action Boards

Gov. Pat Quinn is proposing legislation that he says would offer tax relief to millions of Illinois property owners.

Quinn plans to present the Homeowner's Property Tax Relief Initiative of 2010 to the General Assembly this week.

The legislation would create a Taxpayer Action Board modeled after the statewide utility watchdog that Quinn helped start in the 1980s.

Quinn says the taxpayer board would be independent and nonpartisan. It would help property owners appeal their tax bills and assessments.

The legislation also looks to make it easier for property owners to get information about the assessment process, including comparable sales statistics.

The proposal would also extend a provision that reduces homeowners' taxable value by $20,000.