Illinois state Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, talks about his bill to reduce property taxes Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The Center Square – Called an election-year gimmick by some, tax rebate checks start going out to Illinois taxpayers Monday. Critics say permanent tax relief is needed in one of the highest taxes states in the country.

The money is being given back as part of the Illinois Relief Plan, a $1.8 billion aid package Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law in the spring.

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To qualify, a person must have been an Illinois resident in 2021 with an adjusted gross income under $200,000 for individual tax filers and under $400,000 for those who filed as couples.

Taxpayers who filed as a single person on their returns will be eligible to receive $50, and those who filed joint returns will receive $100. If you claimed dependents, you will receive an additional $100 per dependent with a maximum of $300.

“Whether you had to pay or you got money back, it doesn’t matter,” Illinois Comptroller Susanna Mendoza said. “Everyone who filed will be getting a tax rebate.”

Illinois residents who paid state property taxes last year on a primary residence will be getting rebates as well. Adjusted gross income must be under $250,000 for single filers and under $500,000 for those who filed as couples. The amount of this rebate depends on the amount of property taxes paid.

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State officials said the distribution of the checks should take about two months.

State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorne Woods, thinks the rebates are all about election year posturing.

“The plan has checks arrive just before the election and then tax reductions expire right after the election,” McConchie said.

State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, Pritzker’s opponent in the November election, said taxpayers need permanent relief, not a one time election year gimmick.

“It's an absolute gimmick, and I have been calling that out since these bills hit the Senate floor,” Bailey said. “It's too little, too late.”

Research by the Illinois Policy Institute found that Illinois families are paying more than $2,100 in new state taxes since 2019, overshadowing the average of $556 in temporary tax relief.

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