Vietnam veteran in Cook County gets answers after receiving $6,200 tax bill despite disability exemption

COOK COUNTY, Ill. - A Vietnam veteran expressed his shock last week after receiving a $6,200 Cook County property tax bill, despite previously being exempt due to his 100-percent disability status.

John Tennison, a former Marine, was stunned to see the bill, having not owed any property taxes in the past. His family reached out to FOX 32's Tia Ewing for assistance, and soon after, they received much-needed answers.

After meeting with Tia, Tennison's information was forwarded to the Cook County tax assessor's office, which promptly addressed the issue. The resolution came just in time for Tennison's 77th birthday.

His granddaughter noted that the unexpected bill had caused additional stress for her grandfather, and they were relieved the matter was resolved.

The Cook County Assessor’s office said that last year Tennison was classified as 100 percent disabled. However, he was not classified as "permanently and totally" disabled. As a result, he was not eligible for the auto-renewal.

In order to have the Veterans with Disabilities exemption auto-renewed, a homeowner must be classified as 100% disabled and "permanently and totally" disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Moving forward, Tennison will be classified as "permanently and totally" disabled, which means his exemption should auto-renew in the following years.