If a reapplication is required, then the chief county assessment officer shall mail the application to the taxpayer at least 60 days prior to the last day of the application period for the county.
For taxable years 2019 through 2023, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, a taxpayer who has been granted an exemption under this Section need not reapply. However, if the property ceases to be qualified for the exemption under this Section in any year for which a reapplication is not required under this Section, then the owner of record of the property shall notify the chief county assessment officer that the property is no longer qualified. In addition, for taxable years 2019 through 2023, the chief county assessment officer of a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants shall enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the county clerk of that county and the Department of Public Health, as well as any other appropriate governmental agency, to obtain information that documents the death of a taxpayer who has been granted an exemption under this Section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the county clerk and the Department of Public Health shall provide that information to the chief county assessment officer. The Department of Public Health shall supply this information no less frequently than every calendar quarter. Information concerning the death of a taxpayer may be shared with the county treasurer. The chief county assessment officer shall also enter into a data exchange agreement with the Social Security Administration or its agent to obtain access to the information regarding deaths in possession of the Social Security Administration. The chief county assessment officer shall, subject to the notice requirements under subsection (m) of Section 9-275, terminate the exemption under this Section if the information obtained indicates that the property is no longer qualified for the exemption. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the assessor and the county recorder of deeds shall establish policies and practices for the regular exchange of information for the purpose of alerting the assessor whenever the transfer of ownership of any property receiving an exemption under this Section has occurred. When such a transfer occurs, the assessor shall mail a notice to the new owner of the property (i) informing the new owner that the exemption will remain in place through the year of the transfer, after which it will be canceled, and (ii) providing information pertaining to the rules for reapplying for the exemption if the owner qualifies. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the chief county assessment official shall conduct audits of all exemptions granted under this Section no later than December 31, 2022 and no later than December 31, 2024. The audit shall be designed to ascertain whether any senior homestead exemptions have been granted erroneously. If it is determined that a senior homestead exemption has been erroneously applied to a property, the chief county assessment officer shall make use of the appropriate provisions of Section 9-275 in relation to the property that received the erroneous homestead exemption.
In counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, if the assessor or chief county assessment officer requires annual application for verification of eligibility for an exemption once granted under this Section, the application shall be mailed to the taxpayer.
35 ILCS 200/15-170