Category: Blogger

Trump White House coverage ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico will backfire

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Trump White House coverage ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico will backfire Ray Hanania on Politics podcast (YouTube and Podbean) discusses President Trump’s politically stupid ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico. Media bans only strengthen the media. I know firsthand By Ray Hanania 09-22-26 Ray Hanania on Politics. Political Opinion Political Columnist Political…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Media Bias, News, NewsWire, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny

August 28, 2026August 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny By Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer Two times a year, my office mails nearly 1.8 million property tax bills and collects about $20 billion. That’s not a typo — $20 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes By Maria Pappas Illinois offers senior citizens a property tax relief program that works like a loan. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program allows qualifying seniors to defer or postpone the payment of up to $7,500 a year in property…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Seniors

Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments

December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments By Maria Pappas Property owners unable to pay their tax bills in full by the Dec. 15 due date should look at our free online financial planning tool that helps you make smaller, more manageable payments over time. It’s called the Payment Plan…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes By Maria Pappas Record-high increases in property tax bills have angered many Cook County property owners. My office has released an analysis of the nearly 1.8 million tax bills. It showed that in Chicago the median tax bill jumped 16.7%,…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers in recent years have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These changes underscore our commitment to support veterans in Cook County and…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch

October 17, 2025October 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch By Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer Every year, my office mails more than 1.8 million tax bills to property owners across Cook County. If you have a mortgage, your lender may collect money from you each month and put it in…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again

October 11, 2025October 11, 2025 Guest Columnist No Comments

The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again By Mohammed Faheem Each October, as the world waits for the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize, we are reminded that what began as a celebration of humanity’s highest ideals has become an increasingly political spectacle. This year was no different….