This exemption may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Limited Exemption and the Senior Citizen's Homestead Exemptions, if applicable; however, it cannot be claimed in addition to the Disabled Veterans' Exemption of $70,000, or the Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Be a Lake County, Illinois resident and have served in the United States Armed Forces, The Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces, and have received an honorable discharge.
  
• A disabled veteran with at least a 70% service-connected disability will receive a $5,000 reduction in the property's EAV.
• A disabled veteran with at least 50%, but less than 70% service-connected disability will receive a $2,500 reduction in property's EAV.
  
• Have owned and occupied the property as the primary residence on or before January 1st of the tax year.
  
• Supply documentation as required by the instructions on the back of the form.
  
• Have a total equalized assessed value (EAV) of less than $250,000.
  
• An unmarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran can continue to receive this exemption on his or her spouse's homestead property or transfer the exemption to a new primary residence.  To qualify, the surviving spouse must meet the following requirements:

1. Sell the disabled veteran's previous homestead property before transferring  this exemption to his or her new primary residence.
   
2. Own and occupy the property as a primary residence and hold a legal or beneficial title to the property on January 1 of the assessment year.
   
3. Have a total equalized assessed value (EAV) of less than $250,000.

If you are applying for this exemption and the property is held in trust, the law requires that we verify the applicant is a beneficiary of that trust. The exemption cannot be applied without this verification. Please include a copy of that part of the trust agreement which states that the applicant is the beneficiary. This can usually be found on the first few pages of the trust document.

First-time applicants can obtain forms from the Chief County Assessment Office or your local township assessors office.

Please note that this exemption will require annual verification of eligibility. The Chief County Assessment Office will mail the appropriate forms each year to all disabled veterans or their surviving spouses who received the exemption in the prior year.