Category: Blogger

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

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets
Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These amendments, effective for the 2024 tax year, underscore our commitment to supporting our veteran…

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Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Leving legal team won appeal defending falsely accused Chicago dad

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Leving legal team won appeal defending falsely accused Chicago dad
Leving legal team won appeal defending falsely accused Chicago dad

Leving legal team won appeal defending falsely accused Chicago dad By Laura Reichel The Leving legal team won a critical decision from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in favor of an accused father they defended. It is terrifying for any father to be faced with the allegation that he neglected his…

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Why you need to read Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns

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Why you need to read Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns

Why you need to read Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns Ray Hanania is an award winning columnist but he needs your support. His columns reflects an honesty in political coverage that you don’t often find in American journalism. Watch this promotion on Ray’s commitment to objective journalism and commentary, “even when it hurts.” He needs your…

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Blogger, Commentary, Culture, journalism, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Sale-in-error study shows how tax buyers transfer wealth from low-income areas

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Sale-in-error study shows how tax buyers transfer wealth from low-income areas

Sale-in-error study shows how tax buyers transfer wealth from low-income areas By Maria Pappas My office redesigned this year’s property tax bills to clearly show where your tax dollars go. On the front of every bill, you can see how much of your hard-earned money goes to each taxing body What is less visible, however,…

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Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland

The Mike Madigan I know did much for the Southwest region

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The Mike Madigan I know did much for the Southwest region

The Mike Madigan I know did much for the Southwest region By Ray Hanania I was first introduced to Mike Madigan in 1978 by then Chicago Mayor Michael A. Bilandic. The mayor told me, a cub reporter at the time, to keep an eye on him because he was a “rising star.” As it turns…

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Blogger, Commentary, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person 
Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person 

Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person  By Maria Pappas Property owners face an Aug. 1 due date to pay their Second Installment 2023 tax bills. Many homeowners authorize their mortgage company to pay their two annual property tax installments from an escrow account….

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

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

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

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 shocked and angered many Cook County property owners, especially in the south suburbs. Second Installment 2023 bills are online at cookcountytreasurer.com and arriving in mailboxes in early July. Bills are…

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

Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara

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Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara

Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara Controversy-plagued Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau will introduce a letter at Monday’s Village Board meeting (June 17, 2024) signed by him telling Village Manager George Koczwara that his contract cannot be renewed because it would be “unfair and inappropriate to allow an automatic extension” to…

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Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Father with troubled past gains full parenting time

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Father with troubled past gains full parenting time

Father with troubled past gains full parenting time By Laura Reichel  A Chicago father with a problematic past, was being kept from his son. He drank a little too much back in the day, and he had a criminal record. When he and his wife separated, he initially had limited contact with his grade school-age son,…

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years

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You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years

You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years By Maria Pappas My office is sitting on about $93 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years. Most overpayments occurred because more than one person paid the same tax bill twice. Reasons why duplicate payments occurred…

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

What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park

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What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park

What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park One of Chicagoland’s best Middle East Arabian restaurants offers a special exotic entertainment show every Wednesday, complementing their great food menu with the mesmerizing dance of Belly Dancer Tina every Wednesday from 7 PM until 9 PM. Enjoy a great show along…

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Blogger, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, food, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

Court orders divorced mother to allow son to visit dad’s critically injured relative

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Court orders divorced mother to allow son to visit dad’s critically injured relative

Court orders divorced mother to allow son to visit dad’s critically injured relative By: Laura Reichel A caring father of a 6-year-old boy shared custody of his child with his ex-wife. One day, Dad received news that a close family member had been hospitalized after a serious accident and was hanging on for his very life….

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions

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Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions

Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions By Maria Pappas I do not determine your property taxes. My job as county treasurer is to bill, collect and distribute that money to pay for local government services. Local governments typically rely on property taxes to fund payrolls and other day-to-day expenses….

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

Dad reunited with young daughter after ex-wife obtained baseless Order of Protection against him

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Dad reunited with young daughter after ex-wife obtained baseless Order of Protection against him

Dad reunited with young daughter after ex-wife obtained baseless Order of Protection against him By Kate Davis A Chicago dad had a great relationship with his 5-year-old daughter. Even after he and his wife split up, they shared parenting time, and were very amicable – that was until his co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife crumbled…

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information
Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information By Maria Pappas My website, cookcountytreasurer.com, offers people an easy way to correct, change or update name and address information about where property tax bills are mailed. The best option is to electronically request the change online. You may request a change in…

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

Local law enforcement agencies should tap into state witness protection fund to help bring victim families closure

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Local law enforcement agencies should tap into state witness protection fund to help bring victim families closure

Local law enforcement agencies should tap into state witness protection fund to help bring victim families closure By Jeffery M. Leving SM With a reported homicide closure rate of about 20% in Chicago, far too many families are waiting for justice for their loved ones and closure for their families. While there are several reasons…

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Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, Crime, Guest Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion, Police

Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront
Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront

Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau just can’t be honest. Last week, I revealed that the Village removed the sign for the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall from the front of the building. Fred Owens was a beloved mayor who helped…

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Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills

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Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills

Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills By Maria Pappas Many senior citizens on fixed incomes face the challenge of managing their property taxes. They may be eligible for a tax break known as the “Senior Freeze” Exemption. My website, cookcountytreasurer.com, explains the eligibility requirements and can walk you through the…

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