Illinois · House Bill 1609 · 104th General Assembly

PROP TX-NATURAL PRESERVATION

HB 1609 Sponsored by Maura Hirschauer In committee

  1. Introduced Jan 23, 2025
  2. In committee Jan 28, 2025
  3. Passed the House Next
  4. Passed the Senate  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purposes of assessment, property registered in perpetuity with the register of areas under the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act is considered to be encumbered by a public easement and shall be depreciated to a level at which its value is $5 per acre, and any improvement, dwelling, or other appurtenant structure present on that land shall be valued at 33…

Read the full title (174 words)

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purposes of assessment, property registered in perpetuity with the register of areas under the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act is considered to be encumbered by a public easement and shall be depreciated to a level at which its value is $5 per acre, and any improvement, dwelling, or other appurtenant structure present on that land shall be valued at 33 1/3% of its fair cash value. Provides that a conservation right on land preserving a habitat for plant and animal species that are native to Illinois (currently, State or federal endangered or threatened species or federal candidate species) is considered to provide a demonstrated public benefit. Provides that a conservation right on land located adjacent to a park, conservation area, nature preserve, or other land or water area that is publicly owned or otherwise permanently protected for conservation purposes is considered to provide a demonstrated public benefit if the conservation right on that land furthers the conservation purposes of the adjacent protected area. Effective immediately.

Every action

8 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

  1. HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Maura Hirschauer
  2. HouseFirst Reading
  3. CommitteeReferred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Revenue & Finance Committee · House Revenue & Finance
  5. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
  6. CommitteeTo Property Tax Subcommittee · House Property Tax Subcommittee
  7. CommitteeRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  8. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Hoan Huynh

Roll calls

No recorded votes on this bill yet.

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 2 cosponsors: 2 Democrats.

All 2 cosponsors

From Illinois's official records (www.ilga.gov), checked Nov 13, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.