Orland Township Government Keeps Its Levy Flat

Orland Township Government Keeps Its Levy Flat, On Property Tax Bills Arriving by this Week. Additionally, to Help Promote Public Health by Encouraging Vulnerable Citizens to Stay at Home, Multiple Property Tax Exemptions Will Automatically Renew

Recognizing the continuing financial stress facing many local taxpayers, the Orland Township Board of Trustees has committed to ask no more of local property owners. Property tax bills arriving now, consequently, will reflect no increase in the rate paid to Orland Township government.

Cook County mailed bills for the first installment of tax year 2020 by Sunday, Jan. 31. If those bills have not already arrived, they should arrive in mail boxes this week. Payments are due by Tuesday, March 2 but the Cook County Board has waived late charges through Monday, May 3.

“This clearly is not the time to request more from Orland Township property owners,” Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady said.

“While other units of local government may have made different decisions about where to set their levies, at the Orland Township government level we knew that given the challenges so many are facing we couldn’t ask for even a dollar more.”

The Orland Township Board of Trustees in December voted to keep the Township’s levy flat. The Township partners with local businesses, organizations and individuals whose support makes possible the Township’s many classes, trips, health care services and other initiatives. Thanks to their commitment of resources, the Township produces a range of intergenerational programs and events to enhance and enrich the lives of area citizens at an exceptionally low cost to taxpayers.

Property Tax Exemptions Automatically Renewing for Tax Year 2020

In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging vulnerable citizens to stay at home, multiple exemptions will automatically renew this year. Under a new state law known as Public Act 101-0635, the Senior Freeze, Persons with Disabilities, and Veterans with Disabilities exemptions renew automatically in calendar year 2021 (property tax year 2020) for those taxpayers receiving the exemptions last year. By renewing these exemptions automatically in 2021, this will eliminate the need to visit offices to fill out renewal exemption forms.

Homeowners who are newly qualified to receive any of these exemptions but did not receive them in 2020 may apply by contacting the Orland Township assessor’s office at (708) 403-4712 through Wednesday, March 31.

“With the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine well underway, we know that brighter days are ahead,” Supervisor O’Grady said. “In the meantime, we can count on the Township’s employees and elected officials to continue giving their all to deliver the high-quality services and supports that make our community such a great place to call home.”

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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