Record #: O2014-8362   
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
Intro date: 10/8/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Finance
Final action: 11/5/2014
Title: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 3-12-050 by modifying provisions for senior sewer charge exemption
Sponsors: Emanuel, Rahm, Quinn, Marty, Austin, Carrie M., Burke, Edward M., Suarez, Regner Ray, Solis, Daniel, Brookins, Jr., Howard, Willie B. Cochran, O'Shea, Matthew J., Harris, Michelle A., Burnett, Jr., Walter, Mitts, Emma, Cullerton, Timothy M., O'Connor, Patrick, O'Connor, Mary, Zalewski, Michael R., Reboyras, Ariel, Silverstein, Debra L., Osterman, Harry
Topic: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS - Title 3 - Revenue & Finance - Ch. 12 Sewer Revenue Fund
Attachments: 1. O2014-8362.pdf
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
 
October 8, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
 
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
At the request of the City Comptroller, I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Quinn, Austin, Burke, Suarez, Solis, Brookins, Cochran, O'Shea, Harris, Burnett, Mitts, Cullerton, Patrick O'Connor, Mary O'Connor, Zalewski, Reboyras, Silverstein, and Osterman, an ordinance amending Chapter 3-12 of the Municipal Code regarding the senior sewer charge exemption.
 
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
 
Mayor
 
Very truly yours,
 
 
 
ORDINANCE
 
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
 
SECTION 1. Section 3-12-050 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by inserting the language underscored and by deleting the language struck through, as follows:
 
3-12-050 Senior citizens exempted when.
  1. Persons aged 65 or over, residing in their own residence with separate metered water service or a separate city water assessment for that residential unit, shall be exempt from payment of the sewer service charge for their residence. This exemption shall apply regardless of whether the person is in arrears in the payment of anv water or sewer charges for the subject residence.
  2. Persons aged 65 or over who reside in their own residence but do not qualify for an exemption under subsection (a) because their residence is a townhouse, condominium unit or cooperative apartment that does not have separate metered water service or a separate city water assessment for the residential unit may apply for a refund in lieu of exemption pursuant to this subsection. The amount of such refund shall be $50.00 per qualified residence for each calendar year.
Application for a refund in lieu of exemption shall be made to the alderman of the ward in which the applicant resides no later than August 1st of the calendar year for which a refund is requested. The application shall be made on a form prescribed by the city council committee on finance, and shall include such affidavits or other reasonable proof of qualifications for a refund that the committee may require. An alderman receiving a complete application under this subsection shall introduce into the city council an ordinance authorizing the payment of a refund in lieu of exemption to the applicant. A single ordinance may authorize refunds based upon more than one application. The ordinance shall be accompanied by all applications for which refunds are sought. After introduction into the city council, all ordinances submitted pursuant to this subsection shall be referred to the city council committee on finance. If, after review, the committee on finance determines that the applicant is qualified for a refund under this subsection, the committee shall recommend to the city council that the payment ofthe refund be approved. If the city council approves the refund, the city comptroller shall promptly pay the applicant a refund in the amount of $50.00.
(c)      Persons residing in residences qualified for an exemption or refund under this section
shall qualify for the exemption or refund by virtue of their qualifications for a homestead senior
exemption under Section 19.23-1 ofthe Revenue Act of 1939, or by the submission of a copy of
the applicant's birth certificate, or the applicant's driver's license, state-issued identification card
or the Matricula Consular identification card specified in Section 2-160-065 of the Code.
showing the applicant is aged 65 or over and; proof of their qualification for homeowners
exemption; and proof of residency. The acceptable document to prove residency shall be a copy
of a utility bill for the residence. Acceptable documents to prove home ownership shall be a
copy of: (i) the deed to the residence, (ii) property tax bill, or (iii) with regard to a residence held
in trust, a declaration executed by the trustee, affirming that the residence is held in trust and
that the trust gives the named applicant the right to occupy the residence. In lieu of the forms of
proof specified in this paragraph (c), the comptroller is authorized to accept alternative forms of
proof that in his judgment are genuine and probative of the information sought. The comptroller
shall provide information regarding the process for obtaining an exemption or refund, and the
associated forms, in Spanish as well as English.
(d)      If the comptroller's processing of a full payment certificate for a given property
 
 
 
serves to terminate anv senior exemption applicable to that property, the comptroller shall send written notification of such termination to the address at issue.
 
 
 
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and approval, and shall apply prospectively only.