Lake County Center for Independent Living

01/20/2026

Property Tax relief updates and reminders

Reminder-Illinois offers property tax relief for people with disabilities through the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities (HEPD), providing a $2,000 reduction in your home's assessed value, and potentially the Disabled Veterans' Exemption for qualifying veterans, with the HEPD available in addition to other exemptions like the General or Senior Homestead Exemptions, but not combined with the Disabled Veterans' Exemption. And new property tax relief updates for low income Seniors.

Great news for our senior citizen homeowners! To provide additional property tax relief to homeowners on fixed incomes who are 65 years of age or older, the newly revised statute will increase the maximum household income eligibility requirements. Beginning in 2026, the total maximum household income for the Low-Income Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze has been increased to $75,000 with additional increases in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Updated Maximum Household Income
Tax Year- 2025- $65,000
Tax Year- 2026- $75,000
Tax Year- 2027- $77,000
Tax Year- 2028- $79,000

Benefits of Exemption
Property’s assessed value is “frozen” at a “base year”, meaning that the taxable value does not change, providing protection from increases in assessed value and resulting in a more stabilized property tax bill. Note: This exemption does not “freeze” your taxes, it only “freezes” your taxable assessed value.

Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible the applicant must be 65 years of age or older; own and occupy the home as their primary residence on Jan. 1 of the past two years; and have a total household income of $75,000 or less (2026)

Required Documentation
The documentation required is a state-issued ID showing first Jan 1st ownership; 2025 Federal 1040 income tax forms for all people living in household; and trust documents proving beneficial interest (only applicable for those with homes owned in trust). This exemption must be renewed each year. Contact your local township assessor’s office on how to apply.

01/05/2026

KEYS TO HOME- Advance affordable Housing in Lake County

10 January 2026 9 AM -12 PM Free Admission!
College of Lake County’s Lakeshore Campus 34 N Sheridan Rd. Waukegan, IL
Join your neighbors to learn why and how to advocate for affordable housing in Lake County. Everyone is welcome— no expertise required, and it’s free admission!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keys-to-home-advance-affordable-housing-in-lake-county-tickets-1976620235333
Agenda
9:00 am Resource Fair
9:00 am Registration & Breakfast
9:30 am Welcome & Keynote
10:40 am Breakout Sessions
11:40 am Next Steps

12/17/2025

We apologize for the inconvenience.
Our center is currently experiencing connection issues, and our phone lines are temporarily down. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will provide updates as soon as service is restored. In the mean time we can be reached at [email protected]

12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday, your support of LCCIL helps expand access, remove barriers, and ensure people with disabilities have the resources they need to thrive.
✨ Whether it’s assistive technology, independent living skills training, advocacy, youth services, or community education, your gift strengthens independence across our community.
💙Your support helps us continue providing free services that promote independence, access, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
https://www.lccil.org/how-you-can-help.html
Thank you for giving!

All services are free of charge to our consumers; therefore, we rely on the generosity of businesses, private foundations, and individuals to keep our programs strong.

11/07/2025

New Supporters Mean An Extra $15 donation for Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL)
Offer expires November 15, shoppers new to iGive supporting Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL) get you an extra $15. Free. On top of the donation generated by their shopping.
1,700 great stores help your supporters help you, every time they shop online. Please click below link to support LCCIL!

Since 1997, iGive.com helps you support Your Favorite Cause with your shopping. Free. Over 1,500 stores pay for it. You can support ANY cause, including new causes that you can add to our list of over 100,000 causes and charities. Change your shopping for good.

10/21/2025

Hello everyone,

1. Do you use public transportation and/or paratransit services to get around in Chicagoland region?
2. Are you interested in sharing your experiences, issues and ideas for systems change specific to transportation access & equity for people with disabilities in Chicagoland?

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is hosting an online focus group and action planning session to get your ideas and input on transportation access in Chicagoland for people with diverse disabilities. Our UIC students are learning how to do focus groups and you will be helping them learn, and also providing information that can then by used by disability rights groups and organizations in their advocacy to improve transportation access. Laura Saltzman from Access Living has been helping to teach our students about transportation issues in Chicagoland that they are advocating for now. We will be focusing on these issues so Access Living can use the findings from the focus groups in their transportation advocacy.

Here’s the details:

WHAT: Transportation Access Focus Group and Action Planning Session

WHERE: Online via Zoom

WHEN: October 23, 2025 (Thursday evening, the session will go from 4-7pm online (with breaks, ½ on the focus group and ½ on action planning advocacy and improvements)

WHO: People with diverse disabilities who are using public transportation and/or paratransit in the Chicagoland region and counties. We are especially looking for people who have experience with public transportation (bus, train, both).

To thank you for your time, we will be giving you a $60 gift certificate (available electronically or we can mail you the gift card) after participating in this session.

If you would like to participate in this 10/23 focus group, please contact Joy Hammel or Elnaz Alimi at:
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Phone: (708) 209-8479 (for texts) or (312) 996-9655 (for voice mail)

Please make sure to let us know your name and how to reach you (email, text or phone) so we can connect and give you details and the zoom invite.

08/29/2025

LCCIL will be closed Monday September 1st.
Wishing you a labor day filled with relaxation and appreciation for all your hard work.
Happy Labor Day!

08/18/2025

🎉 Double the Impact for LCCIL! 💻👟

Support the Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL) while you shop online – it’s easy, free, and now TWICE as powerful!

🖥️ Double Donations from Dell now through August 23, 2025
💸 $5 New Member Bonus when your friends join iGive by August 31 and shop within 30 days
🛍️ Shop brands like Lenovo, Dell, and Zappos – every purchase helps us empower people with disabilities to live independently.

✅ Pro Tip: Install the iGive Button so you never forget to help with your everyday shopping!

➡️ Join here: www.iGive.com/LCCIL

Every click. Every cart. Every contribution counts.
Thank you for supporting independence and inclusion!

Since 1997, iGive.com helps you support Your Favorite Cause with your shopping. Free. Over 1,500 stores pay for it. You can support ANY cause, including new causes that you can add to our list of over 100,000 causes and charities. Change your shopping for good.

07/15/2025

We would like to share the following from The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy- Dedicated to improving the lives of disabled people across the lifespan

Research & Policy Analysis
Our researchers use quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the needs, experiences, and priorities of the disability community. We address issues such as health and healthcare, poverty and discrimination, parenting and pregnancy, and community living and supports.

Education & Mentorship
Our disability policy fellowships and mentorships support the next generation of researchers, scholars, advocates, and policymakers. We offer fellowship opportunities at multiple levels, including annual undergraduate and master’s fellowships along with doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships. In addition, we offer our unique Carrie Buck Distinguished Fellowship for community advocates.

Community Engagement
We support an active schedule of webinars, presentations, public events, trainings, and community outreach. Our findings and other resources, including our new Disability Data Dashboards, are available in a wide variety of accessible formats, and our community engagement recognizes and highlights the integral contribution our community partners and advisory board members make to our research process.

Our Four Federally-Funded Research Centers
CLPC
Community Living Policy Center
Community Living Equity Center
National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities
National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research
https://heller.brandeis.edu/lurie/

07/07/2025

Walmart & Macy's
Helping YOU Save & Support Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL)!
2X Donations through 7/12/25

$5 New Member Bonus!
When friends join by July 31 and shop within 30 days
Never forget to help with the iGive Button

Since 1997, iGive.com helps you support Your Favorite Cause with your shopping. Free. Over 1,600 stores pay for it. You can support ANY cause, including new causes that you can add to our list of over 100,000 causes and charities. Change your shopping for good.

07/03/2025

¡Hablemos de Servicios de Rehabilitación!
La División de Servicios de Rehabilitación (DRS), ofrecerá una serie de seminarios en línea, y en español, dirigidos a personas con discapacidades, sus familiares, líderes comunitarios, y personas que trabajan con personas con discapacidades, especialmente Hispanos/Latinos in Illinois.
Seminario 1: Contactando y Compartiendo: El Estado de Illinois al Servicio de las Personas con Discapacidades. Fecha: 07/16/2025 Hora: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Seminario 2: La División de Servicios de Rehabilitación (DRS) Trabaja con Personas con Discapacidades: Conectando Discapacidades con los Programas y Servicios Disponibles. Fecha: 09/10/2025 Hora: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Seminario 3: Trabajando Juntos con Personas con Discapacidades para Obtener Oportunidades Laborales Competitivas. Fecha: 10/08/2025 Hora: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Para detalles e inscripción- https://idhs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_51IpaA8SRiiOKdo
¿Tiene preguntas? contacte vía correo electrónico a: [email protected] o llame al 312-305-1795
proveerá intérpretes de Lengua de Señas Americana (ASL) para cada seminario en línea. Sin embargo, si necesita alguna acomodación adicional, envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected] o llame al 312-305-1795.

07/03/2025

Let’s Talk Rehabilitation Services!
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) will offer three free webinars to our community partners: educational institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, public and private institutions, local and state agencies, employers, business owners, and other organizations working with people with disabilities.

Webinar 1: Reaching Out and Sharing: The State of Illinois Serving
Persons with Disabilities. Date: 07/15/2025. Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Webinar 2: The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is Working with People with Disabilities: Matching Disabilities to Available Programs and Services. Date: 09/09/2025 Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Webinar 3: Working Together with People with Disabilities to Obtain Competitive Employment Opportunities. Date: 10/07/2025 Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

For details and registration- https://idhs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_43clCLMucedqosu?Q_CHL=qr
Questions? contact via email: [email protected] or call at 312-305-1795
DRS will provide American Sign Language Interpreters (ASL) for each Webinar. However, if you need any additional accommodation, please send an email to [email protected] or call at 312-305-1795