Illinois recently enacted HB 4120 regarding the abatement of taxes for businesses that occupy a previously vacant property. The Act states:

“Upon a majority vote of its governing body, any taxing district  may, after the determination of the assessed valuation of its property, order the county clerk to abate any portion of its taxes on any property if (i) a new business first occupies a facility located on the property during the taxable year, and (ii) the facility was vacant for a period of at least 24 continuous months prior to being occupied by the business. The abatement shall not exceed a period of 2 years and the aggregate amount of abated taxes for all taxing districts combined shall not exceed $4,000,000.”

Given the amount of vacant property on the market, this should prove to be an effective tax savings tool for Illinois businesses.