Category: Commentary

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes By Maria Pappas Veterans deserve our thanks, especially those whose abilities were diminished as a result of active military service. Illinois law recognizes that. Qualifying veterans whose disabilities are certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for tax breaks. Veterans classified as…

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

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office

October 20, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office Real Republican Gary Grasso responds to Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s vicious political lies and mischaracterizations. Pekau made his political attacks in his taxpayer funded position as Mayor of Orland Park, something Pekau does quite often. By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith…

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

Right from the Middle: Growing divide undermining American strength and Democracy

October 20, 2023October 24, 2023 William Lipinski No Comments

Right from the Middle: Growing divide undermining American strength and Democracy By Bill Lipinski I believe the original cause of the great divide in our democratic republic is the loss of faith or trust in our leaders and our institutions. The seeds for this great divide were planted about 55 years ago, by the demonstrations…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, National, Opinion, Politics

Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions?

October 15, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions? Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas If you own a home or other real estate in Cook County, chances are you will have a property tax bill due soon. Property taxes in Illinois are billed…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Politicians and media set aside facts when covering Israel

October 14, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Politicians and media set aside facts when covering Israel By Ray Hanania You can’t denounce Hamas and Palestinian violence against Israel if you have been silent about Israeli government violence against Palestinians. Those who only denounce Hamas violence, but are silent on Israeli government violence, are complicit in the terrorism that is sweeping through Israel…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania

Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need

October 3, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need By Ray Hanania Last week, I wrote about how Fritz Kaegi artificially increased assessments on properties across Cook County in order to protect business property owners who are big donors with political clout. Kaegi knows voters have no lobbyists and are easily forgotten in…

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

Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund

September 30, 2023September 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund By Maria Pappas “Your Property Taxes” column with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Helping taxpayers obtain refunds for property tax overpayments is one of the most rewarding parts of my job as Cook County Treasurer. My office recently helped a south suburban resident receive…

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

Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses

September 27, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses By Ray Hanania Last year, a report was issued that showed that a major tax burden would slam commercial properties in Cook County. Cook County Asessor Fritz Kaegi reassessed properties in 2021 claiming it would ease the burden on homeowners. But in fact, it has…

Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Many Cook County homeowners are losing thousands of dollars in savings because they are not taking advantage of property tax breaks. My office recently helped an older couple on Chicago’s North Side receive…

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

Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare

September 9, 2023September 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare By Ray Hanania A tip is supposed to be an expression of how much a customer appreciates the efforts of employees of a business, usually the wait staff at restaurants. You expect someone you are paying to provide the best possible service to actually provide…

Blogger, Commentary, Employment, Opinion, restaurants

Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor

September 6, 2023September 6, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor By Ray Hanania Most people have come to know Orland Park Village Board meetings as a distasteful bully pulpit where Mayor Keith Pekau belittles his critics, lies and portrays himself as the victim of a vast conspiracy. Pekau claims everyone who criticizes his government actions defames…

Blogger, censorship, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column, women

Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece By Jeffery M. Leving A 3-year-old girl tragically became an orphan when both of her parents died. She has aunts who are still living – and we had to fight for one of them to see her own niece. I’ll talk…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions

August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Cook County owes refunds to thousands of property owners because of past overpayments and missed exemptions. Many homeowners who could use the extra money to pay bills, buy groceries and meet other needs have…

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

America weakened by bullying, hatred and media hypocrisy

August 24, 2023August 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

America weakened by bullying, hatred and media hypocrisy By Ray Hanania Despite the misleading rantings and personal attacks from people on the Left, who believe stating “facts” is the same thing as “having” facts, former President Donald Trump is positioned to easily win the Republican Party nomination next year. The only uncertainty in the election…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, elections, Media Bias, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Pritzker makes right choice on abandoned Tinley Mental Health center

August 18, 2023August 18, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker makes right choice on abandoned Tinley Mental Health center By Ray Hanania Legislation signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker this week does two important things for Tinley Park and for the southwest region. It secures a productive future for the long abandoned Tinley Mental Health Center, giving it to the Tinley Park Park District to…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Two Guys on Politics podcast on weakening fight on crime, increased benefits for non-citizens and Biden and Iran deal

August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Two Guys on Politics podcast on weakening fight on crime, increased benefits for non-citizens and Biden and Iran deal Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist Ray Hanania release Season 2 Episode 3 of their weekly podcast on American politics this week discussing the weakening fight against crime in America, the increasing benefits being given to…

Bill Lipinski, Commentary, Government, News, Podcast, Police, Politics, rayhanania

The more they pick on Trump, the more his chances of winning improve

August 10, 2023August 10, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

The more they pick on Trump, the more his chances of winning improve By Ray Hanania Nothing distracts people from the failings of a politician more than when the news media exaggerates its hate against that politician. That’s the case with Donald Trump, who was a mediocre president who couldn’t stop himself from engaging in…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

New alimony reforms in Florida should be an example for other states

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

New alimony reforms in Florida should be an example for other states By Jeffery M. Leving The reasons couples get divorced are usually complex and have a lot of nuance, yet too many states have a simple, one-size-fits all mentality when it comes to alimony. However, the State of Florida just signed into law an…

Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion