Friendship Manor officials hope they have resolved a property tax dispute with Rock Island County.
This week, the Illinois General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a bill that clarifies who's eligible to receive the general homestead exemption, including some residents of the senior living center in Rock Island.
Development Director, Jeff Condit, says about four years ago, the county assessor stopped granting the exemption to residents of Friendship Manor. After exhausting efforts to restore the benefit through the review board and courts, the nonprofit's board asked the Illinois legislature for help. Now the bill is waiting for the governor's signature.
But Condit says the law will apply to future tax bills, not to those Friendship Manor and its residents have already paid. That means Rock Island County will not reimburse them for the $400,000 extra in taxes they paid over the last four years.
Another dispute stemmed from disagreements about property tax assessments. Condit says Friendship Manor and Rock Island County negotiated a compromise which includes reimbursing the nonprofit.
