Category: Cook County

Illinois Republicans slam crime challenges in Chicago and region

September 7, 2025September 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Republicans slam crime challenges in Chicago and region Illinois faces a growing public safety crisis, and nowhere is it more evident than in Chicago. While Washington, D.C. has seen progress under President Donald J. Trump’s crime initiative—leading to hundreds of illegal firearm arrests and thousands overall—our own state leadership refuses to take decisive action….

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Federal, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill

September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Twice each year, my office mails out about 1.8 million tax bills to Cook County property owners. Most people glance only at the amount due—but your bill is much more than a dollar figure. It’s a detailed breakdown of how your…

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

Pritzker, Welch and regional leaders praise John Harrell and Black Men United for affordable housing project

August 30, 2025August 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker, Welch and regional leaders praise John Harrell and Black Men United for affordable housing project Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch,” and legislative leaders and local mayors praised a projected to convert a building to low-income housing in Maywood by Rev. John Harrell and Black Men United. CLICK HERE to view a…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Culture, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar honors veterans at first of monthly VetConnect Workshops at district office

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar honors veterans at first of monthly VetConnect Workshops at district office On Tuesday, August 26th, Commissioner Aguilar hosted the first of a monthly workshop for veteran support services at his district office. The event connected veterans with multiple agencies and services, bringing these resources directly to 16th District veterans and…

Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Gives Update on His Work to Support Victims of July Floods in Cook County’s 16th District

August 26, 2025August 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Commissioner Aguilar Gives Update on His Work to Support Victims of July Floods in Cook County’s 16th District Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar has requested Governor Pritzker to issue a Disaster Proclamation and will continue to propose legislation to support those affected by floods After the severe storms and subsequent flooding that hit multiple 16th…

Cook County, Flooding, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds

August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds By Maria Pappas Every year, many Cook County homeowners are bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from vendors offering to help secure property tax refunds — for a fee. But here’s the truth: You don’t need to pay…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny

July 25, 2025July 26, 2025 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 over $18 billion. That’s not a typo — $18 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system…

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

Man Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Five Suburban Chicago Banks and Financial Institutions

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Man Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Suburban Chicago Banks and Financial Institutions A man who robbed four banks and a credit unions in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to more than seven and a half years in federal prison, the Illinois U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced Monday….

Cook County, Crime, DuPage, Law, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, U.S. Attorney

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN By Maria Pappas If you own property in Cook County, there’s one number you should always know: your PIN. That’s short for Property Index Number—a 14-digit code assigned to every piece of real estate in the county. It’s tied to the legal description…

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

Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Federal Prison after Corruption Conviction A federal judge in Chicago today sentenced former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Michael J. Madigan to…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Federal, Illinois Legislature, Law, Media Bias, News, Politics

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Navigating the complexities of the property tax system in Cook County can be daunting for homeowners. My hope is this column makes it less intimidating by breaking down a complex process into simple concepts….

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

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day By Jeffery M. Leving This Father’s Day I’d like to pay tribute to a certain segment of fathers that is often overlooked — single and divorced fathers who are raising their children. We often hear about single and divorced mothers who raise their children and while…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Government, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Opinion

Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered

June 11, 2025June 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered A 57-year-old Chicago man is facing a Class 1 Felony Theft charge after the Sheriff’s Police Organized Retail Crime Unit recovered approximately $400,000 in stolen fitness equipment and other goods taken during area cargo thefts, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Wednesday, June 11,…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas plans to postpone the Annual Tax Sale for seven months, during which time she hopes to work with legislators on comprehensive property tax foreclosure reform measures. At Pappas’s urging, the Illinois General Assembly last week passed legislation that allows…

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! By Maria Pappas Since I first stepped into my office 27 years ago, one question has repeatedly come up: “Why do my property taxes always go up?” It’s a valid concern. At…

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

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners

May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners Nearly $2 billion in property taxes shifted onto homeowners from businesses over just three years, with a disproportionate share of the added burden falling on lower-income Black and Latino homeowners, a first-of-its-kind analysis by the Treasurer’s…

breaking news, Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined May Day Celebrations, May 1, 2025, and spoke at the rally in support of workers’ rights and immigration On Thursday, May 1st, Commissioner Aguilar attended the May Day celebrations in Chicago. Commissioner Aguilar spoke to attendees about…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…

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