Cook County has announced the launch of the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund, a $15 million initiative designed to support households facing steep increases in property tax bills over recent years.
Administered by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, the program will provide one-time payments of $1,000 to eligible homeowners. Funding is limited, and applications will be accepted from September 29, 2025 through October 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Application Process
To streamline access and reduce documentation burdens, the application will be conducted in two phases:
Phase 1: Initial Screening
Applicants will submit basic personal and demographic information. Those meeting the initial criteria will be entered into a lottery for advancement to Phase 2.
Phase 2: Document Submission
Selected applicants will be invited to submit verification documents. Successful submissions will enter a final lottery to determine recipients of the $1,000 payment.
Apply now at: hrf.cookcountyil.gov
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Experienced a property tax bill increase of at least 50% in any of the 2021, 2022, or 2023 tax years
(Includes those who went from a zero bill to a non-zero bill in those years) - Have a household income at or below 100% of the Cook County Area Median Income (AMI)
- The property must be the primary residence of the applicant
For full details, view the program overview and eligibility checklist.
Cook County Area Median Income (AMI) Guide
| Household Size | 100% of AMI |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $84,000 |
| 2 persons | $96,000 |
| 3 persons | $108,000 |
| 4 persons | $119,900 |
| 5 persons | $129,500 |
| 6 persons | $139,100 |
| 7 persons | $148,700 |
| 8 persons | $158,300 |
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