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Thornton Township assessor lays out homeowner exemptions and how they affect tax bills
Summary
Thornton Township Assessor Cassandra Elston explains homeowner exemptions, which apply only to primary residences, how they reduce the second installment tax bill, and what new owners should check before buying.
Thornton Township Assessor Cassandra Elston urged homeowners to check exemptions early and described how exemptions apply. "My name is Cassandra Elston, and I am the assessor for Thornton Township," she said, then explained that homeowner exemptions apply only to the property you physically reside in and that income properties do not qualify. She told viewers that if a property already has a homeowner's exemption it typically carries over to the next owner; if not, a new owner must be in the property for a full tax year before applying (a tax year starts Jan. 1).
Elston walked through how exemptions change a bill: "And exemptions only are taken off on the second installment, not a first installment tax bill." She recommended that buyers ask their realtor for the CMA (comparative market analysis) to confirm whether an exemption is present and that taxpayers watch for the Cook County Assessor's notice and associated deadlines.
