Shad Jones, Peoria County Supervisor of Assessment, told the Ways and Means Committee that the governor signed a law in December raising the income threshold for the senior freeze program. "In December, law was signed by the governor that, increases the threshold income threshold for the senior freeze from 65,000 to 75,000 total household income," Jones said.

Jones said county forms are being updated and the office usually sends renewal notices in January or February so residents can include them when preparing taxes. He explained there are two senior-related exemptions and that renewal notices and forms will be sent to property owners who currently receive the senior homestead exemption.

The supervisor also reported that all townships except Halleck have contracted or elected assessors; Halleck plans to resolve its assessor staffing with a January resolution. The office said it is completing board-review hearings and integrating decisions into county systems.

Jones invited questions about outreach and clarified that even homeowners who have not previously signed up for the senior freeze may receive renewal forms if they hold the senior homestead exemption.

The county said updated forms and additional information will be available on its website and distributed as the office finalizes materials.