Category: Commentary

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

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on 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

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

Hanania syndicated columns: expose ASPCA spending, effort to block RFK from presidential debate and more

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Hanania syndicated columns: expose ASPCA spending, effort to block RFK from presidential debate and more
Hanania syndicated columns: expose ASPCA spending, effort to block RFK from presidential debate and more

Hanania syndicated columns: expose ASPCA spending, effort to block RFK from presidential debate and more Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns this week included a detailed look at how the ASPCA spends the money it solicits in high profile but painful advertising on its company executives. Only about $7.75 of the monthly $19 solicited in the Ads…

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Books & Films, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, elections, Government, Humor, National, News, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

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

Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign

Posted on By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign
Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign

Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign In a pure act of pettiness, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau has removed the name of Frederick T. Owens from the signs in front of the Village Hall, for which the Village Hall has been named, without any public discussion or notice. In its place, Pekau…

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

Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates

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Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates

Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates By Ray Hanania My most recently syndicated columns for this week, which are available to the public at www.RayHanania.com, address several issues. My latest column addresses why it is important for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to be permitted to participate in any debate among…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Can’t hide the anti-Trump spin in the new “Civil War” movie

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Can’t hide the anti-Trump spin in the new “Civil War” movie

Can’t hide the anti-Trump spin in the new “Civil War” movie Although the director denies it, the new Civil War movie is a subtle but direct attack on former President Donald Trump, another effort by the media, this time entertainment, to destroy him By Ray Hanania Paid/Politics-Movie/Saturday April 20, 2024/Syndicated column. Sign up today If…

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Blogger, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, Government, Movies, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Review

Senior citizen exemptions help give homeowners a break on big tax bills 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Senior citizen exemptions help give homeowners a break on big tax bills 
Senior citizen exemptions help give homeowners a break on big tax bills 

Senior citizen exemptions help give homeowners a break on big tax bills  By Maria Pappas Senior citizens can get a break on their property tax bills, but they need to apply when seeking savings for the first time. The popular tax break is known as the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption. For homeowners already receiving the…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply? 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply? 
Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply? 

Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply?  By Maria Pappas Homeowners can reduce their property tax bills by hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year by taking advantage of the Homeowner Exemption. Exemptions are tax breaks. To qualify for the Homeowner Exemption, first-time applicants must have occupied the…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need

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Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need

Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need Nine Chicago aldermen are hoping to undermine Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson using emotional distractions and are failing to address real issues like cracking down on increasing crime. They are demanding Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) should be stripped of power because he was at a rally where an American flag…

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Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, Culture, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

New study shines light on need for gun storage laws

Posted on By Ray Hanania 5 Comments on New study shines light on need for gun storage laws
New study shines light on need for gun storage laws

New study shines light on need for gun storage laws By Jeffery M. Leving SM A new study from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions analyzing 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates what many have feared, that America’s gun violence epidemic has gotten worse. In total, 4,752 young lives were…

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Watching the solar eclipse during a different era as a child

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Watching the solar eclipse during a different era as a child

Watching the solar eclipse during a different era as a child The first time I saw a Solar Eclipse was at O’Hare Airport in July 1963, in an era of science fiction, nuclear bombs and outer space aliens. I’m not sure the excitement is the same as today as then. By Ray Hanania Free/General/Tuesday April…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Environment, Opinion, rayhanania

What does it tell you when pharmaceutical ads dominate

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on What does it tell you when pharmaceutical ads dominate
What does it tell you when pharmaceutical ads dominate

What does it tell you when pharmaceutical ads dominate By Ray Hanania The COVID pandemic gave license to politicians and businesses to pursue their own needs and priorities over the needs of the public. It’s all political BS, of course, when people claim the economy is great. It’s not, unless you are making a fortune….

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania

Top 10 tips that help homeowners better understand their property taxes 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Top 10 tips that help homeowners better understand their property taxes 
Top 10 tips that help homeowners better understand their property taxes 

Top 10 tips that help homeowners better understand their property taxes  By Maria Pappas Homeowners have taught me a few things about property taxes while I have served as Cook County Treasurer. One lesson is that the property tax system is complicated. Many people unfamiliar with the process have told me that they wished there…

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