Siddique proposes full property tax break for Cook County seniors who stayed 35 years

Aasi Siddique, a Cook County Commissioner candidate in the 13th District, is proposing a permanent property tax exemption for seniors who have owned and paid taxes on the same single-family home for 35 consecutive years. The plan targets long-term homeowners facing displacement from rising property taxes and valuations.

Why it matters: - The proposal would give fixed-income seniors a 100% future exemption from Cook County property taxes after 35 consecutive years in the same single-family home. - Siddique frames the plan as a way to reduce displacement of older homeowners priced out by rising assessments and tax bills. - The policy is aimed at helping long-term residents stay in their neighborhoods and preserve community stability.

What happened: - Aasi Siddique, candidate for Cook County Commissioner in the 13th District, announced the legislative proposal on Oct. 15, 2026. - The campaign says the plan would provide permanent housing security for senior residents who have lived in and paid real estate taxes on the same single-family home for at least 35 consecutive years. - Siddique presented the proposal as part of a broader campaign platform focused on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure resilience and government transparency.

The details: - Eligible seniors would receive a 100% future exemption from Cook County property taxes once they reach the 35-year residency mark. - The proposal applies to seniors in single-family homes. - Siddique said long-term homeowners have already fulfilled their financial obligations to the community through decades of tax payments. - The campaign says the plan would protect generational wealth and allow older residents to age in place. - Siddique cited experience in finance, risk management and military service as part of the case for the policy. - More information is available on the campaign website.

Between the lines: - Cook County property taxes have become a political pressure point, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. - The proposal is designed to turn long-term homeownership into a formal threshold for permanent tax relief. - If advanced, the measure would shift the county’s approach from tax relief based on need alone to relief tied to tenure and civic contribution.

What's next: - Siddique’s campaign will likely use the proposal as a central plank in the race for Cook County Commissioner. - Any actual tax exemption would require legislative action from county officials, not just campaign backing. - The proposal sets up a broader debate over who qualifies for long-term property tax relief and how Cook County should balance revenue needs with housing stability.

The bottom line: - Siddique is betting that a 35-year loyalty test for seniors will resonate in a county where rising property taxes are pushing longtime homeowners to the edge.