An Illinois appeals court decision is reopening a statewide dispute over whether hospitals should be exempt from paying property taxes worth millions of dollars to local governments.
The Illinois 4th District Appellate Court ruled Tuesday that part of a 2012 law is unconstitutional that allows state hospitals to avoid paying property taxes.
Laurence Msall of the Civic Federation says the Illinois Department of Revenue needs direction from the Legislature and Gov. Bruce Rauner on handling applications from hospitals seeking tax exemptions. There are five hospitals with pending applications before the revenue department.
The court case involves the city of Urbana and Carle Foundation Hospital. Carle spokeswoman Jennifer Hendricks-Kaufmann says the hospital is "disappointed" by the decision and is considering an appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.
