SPRINGFIELD – Legislation focused on providing financial relief to critically wounded veterans and their families received the governor’s signature today. The measure increases the property tax exemption for veterans with severe service related-disabilities in order to make their homes more affordable on their fixed income. The proposal also expands the exemption to include homes donated to veterans by charitable organizations.

“These veterans have already risked their life for our freedom, they shouldn’t be faced with more financial battles when they return home,” said State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D–Tinley Park), the Senate sponsor of the proposal.

The measure ensures that veterans with severe service-related disabilities who receive specially adapted homes from charitable organizations can access a property tax exemption. That exception is already available to disabled veterans who receive homes built with federal dollars.

“Each injured veteran has different specific needs, and each home must be built to accommodate that individual need,” Hastings said.

The new law is in response to a suburban family being hit with a tax bill after receiving a new home.

In 2012, after suffering deliberating injuries in Afghanistan, Nick Mapson his wife, Jackie, and their children received keys to a new home in the Newport Cove community at the Chain O’Lakes near Antioch thanks to charitable donors and New American Homes Inc. The family was then hit with an unaffordable tax bill.

In addition to the tax credit provisions, the new law expands the Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption to the spouse of a veteran killed in the line of duty, and increases the benefit from $70,000 to $100,000.

Senate Bill 2905 became effective immediately upon being signed.