SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Celina Villanueva is again calling for action after years of Senate work to protect homeowners from losing the equity in their homes through the property tax sale system.

“This isn’t a new issue, we’ve been working on it for years,” Villanueva (D-Chicago) said. “We cannot continue to let this issue fall by the wayside while families — especially seniors and working-class homeowners — remain at risk of losing not just their homes, but the equity they worked their entire lives to build.”

In many cases, homeowners fall behind on relatively small tax debts — sometimes less than $1,000. Yet under the current system, if a home is sold at a tax sale, investors may keep the extra value of the property beyond what was owed. Families can lose the wealth they spent years building.

To give lawmakers time to fix the system, House Bill 598 would push the start date of the annual property tax sale process back from March 10 to Dec. 1, 2026. The delay would allow Illinois to address concerns with the Cook County property tax sale system and ensure homeowners’ rights are protected.

“This is about fairness, accountability and constitutional compliance,” Villanueva said. “We are standing up for our residents and ensuring our property tax code reflects both Supreme Court precedent and basic principles of justice.”

House Bill 598 passed the Senate on Thursday and heads to the governor’s desk.