Senator Jil Tracy has been asked to serve on a new state Task Force that will study the property tax system in Illinois and work to find ways to provide relief to home and business owners.

Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed legislation creating the bipartisan Property Tax Relief Task Force into law. The panel will be made up of lawmakers appointed by the four legislative leaders, along with individuals appointed by the Governor.

“Escalating property taxes affect all home and business owners throughout the State. We need to look closely at the system and see what can be done to improve it so it will work more equitably and be less burdensome for property owners,” Senator Tracy said. “I look forward to the challenge.”

According to investment site SmartAsset.com, Illinois has the second highest property taxes in the country, with an average effective rate of nearly double the national average.

The Task Force has been charged with identifying the causes of increasingly burdensome property taxes across Illinois. Members will review successful public policy strategies from throughout the nation that create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners, and make recommendations about what steps Illinois could take to provide property tax relief.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady appointed Senators Tracy, Donald DeWitte, Dan McConchie, Dale Righter, and Craig Wilcox to serve on the Task Force.

An initial report is due within 90 days, and the Task Force will submit a final report by December 31.