New Illinois Legislation Could Save Homes and Protect Equity for Families Facing Tax Sales

State Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to postpone tax sale deadline and suspend interest accrual, giving homeowners more time to resolve issues.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation in Illinois designed to provide critical relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county's 2023 tax sale. The bill would postpone the filing deadline for the annual tax sale from March 10, 2026, to December 1, 2026, while also suspending interest accrual on delinquent taxes during the extension, giving residents more time to redeem their property or work with county officials to resolve outstanding tax issues before homes are permanently lost.

Why it matters

Many families in Cook County have invested their life savings and built equity in their homes, only to face the threat of losing everything over unpaid taxes. This legislation aims to provide stability and protection for these families by preventing unnecessary foreclosures and preserving family equity, while also giving lawmakers time to explore longer-term reforms to the tax sale system.

The details

House Bill 598 would respond to a federal court decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County, which confirmed that homeowners retain a constitutional right to any surplus value remaining after taxes are paid. By delaying the tax sale and pausing interest accumulation, the bill would help prevent unnecessary foreclosures and preserve family equity.

  • The current tax sale filing deadline is March 10, 2026.
  • The proposed new tax sale filing deadline is December 1, 2026.

The players

Michael E. Hastings

An Illinois state senator who is a chief co-sponsor on the bill and worked to pass the measure through the Senate.

House Bill 598

The legislation designed to provide relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county's 2023 tax sale.

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What they’re saying

“Many families in Cook County have invested their life savings and built equity in their homes, only to face the threat of losing everything over unpaid taxes. This legislation provides homeowners with breathing room, ensures fairness in the process, and protects their constitutional property rights.”

— Michael E. Hastings, State Senator

What’s next

House Bill 598 passed the Senate Thursday with bipartisan support and now moves to the Illinois House for consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to prevent unnecessary foreclosures and preserve family equity in Cook County, while also giving lawmakers time to explore longer-term reforms to the tax sale system and ensure fairness for homeowners facing financial difficulties.