Category: Cook County

Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building

Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building The family of beloved and highly respected late former Orland Park Mayor Fred Owens has questioned why Mayor Keith Pekau has removed his name from the outdoor sign identifying the Village Administration Building, which was placed there in 1993 following his passing the year before….

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Cook County, Culture, Features, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

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

First Responder Mental Health Legislation Clears Senate

Posted on By Ray Hanania 3 Comments on First Responder Mental Health Legislation Clears Senate
First Responder Mental Health Legislation Clears Senate

First Responder Mental Health Legislation Clears Senate The Illinois Senate passed legislation today proposed by Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart that eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for first responders seeking mental health treatment. “We ask first responders to be constantly exposed to traumatic and dangerous situations to protect us,” Sheriff Dart said. “This legislation is a…

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Cook County, Fire, Health, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Police, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park

Posted on By Ray Hanania 3 Comments on Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park
Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park

Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park The Orland Park Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect in a vehicular hijacking that occurred on the evening of April 3, 2024. Shawn Flores, a 44-year-old Midlothian resident, faces charges following his apprehension on April 4. The incident began when a male victim was forcibly…

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Cook County, Crime, Law, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

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

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

Rainbow PUSH resumes Saturday morning forums starting March 16

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Rainbow PUSH resumes Saturday morning forums starting March 16
Rainbow PUSH resumes Saturday morning forums starting March 16

Rainbow PUSH resumes Saturday morning forums starting March 16 We are pleased to welcome you back to the Saturday Morning Forum THIS SATURDAY, March 16th, as we resume our regular programming at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters! You are invited to register and join us to make your voices heard and learn from many of…

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Civil Rights, Cook County, elections, Events, News, Politics

Pappas: When it comes to voting on referendums, the few decide for the many

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pappas: When it comes to voting on referendums, the few decide for the many
Pappas: When it comes to voting on referendums, the few decide for the many

Pappas: When it comes to voting on referendums, the few decide for the many By Maria Pappas If you’ve ever voted, you’ve probably seen one.  It’s a referendum, usually asking you to approve some numbers. A referendum is a proposed law on a social or economic issue on which the people can vote, even as…

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