Category: Cook County

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

Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending
Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending

Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending Statement from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas This election season, voters throughout Cook County will decide whether to repair aging schools, improve a lake front beach, shut down a fire department and give local politicians new powers to tax….

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

Congressman Jonathan Jackson Endorses Sonia Khalil for State Representative 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Congressman Jonathan Jackson Endorses Sonia Khalil for State Representative 
Congressman Jonathan Jackson Endorses Sonia Khalil for State Representative 

Congressman Jonathan Jackson Endorses Sonia Khalil for State Representative  Khalil is running for an open seat in the 36th District Congressman Jonathan Jackson today endorsed Sonia Khalil for State Representative in the 36th district.  “I am proud to endorse Sonia Anne Khalil for State Representative,” said Congressman Jonathan Jackson, (D-IL-01). “Sonia has demonstrated her strong…

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Cook County, elections, News, NewsWire, Politics

Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions 

Posted on By Guest Columnist 2 Comments on Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions 
Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions 

Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions  By Maria Pappas Word of mouth helped chef Gabriel Miranda of Hickory Hills obtain a $6,805 refund for missed homeowner exemptions. Miranda said he and his wife deposited the money into their savings account. Their monthly bills include private high school tuition for the…

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

Leving team wins court victory for Dad and his little girl

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Leving team wins court victory for Dad and his little girl

Leving team wins court victory for Dad and his little girl CHICAGO- Dad has been struggling to stay in his 7-year-old daughter’s life after a difficult divorce. Dad, despite his strained relationship with his ex-wife, has always been a loving and dedicated father to his daughter. Suddenly, Dad found himself being denied all contact with…

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Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Friday, March 1 due date

Posted on By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Friday, March 1 due date
Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Friday, March 1 due date

Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Friday, March 1 due date First Installment Tax Year 2023 property taxes are due Friday, March 1, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas reminded taxpayers today. The Treasurer’s Office posted nearly 1.8 million bills online at cookcountytreasurer.com in early December and mailed printed bills to…

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

One firefighter injured in Orland Park fire Tuesday morning

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One firefighter injured in Orland Park fire Tuesday morning

One firefighter injured in Orland Park fire Tuesday morning One firefighter was injured but was later released by the hospital after battling a fire at a home in Orland Park early Tuesday morning, officials of the Orland Fire Protection District said. The fire was reported at 3:35 AM on Tuesday Feb. 20, 2024 at the…

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Cook County, Fire, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Learn the effective use of mental health professionals in family law cases and the use of habeas corpus.

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Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Learn the effective use of mental health professionals in family law cases and the use of habeas corpus.

Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Learn the effective use of mental health professionals in family law cases and the use of habeas corpus. CHICAGO – The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. (Leving Firm) will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on Wednesday, Feb. 21…

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Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire

Eight injured when car plows into Sports Clip in Orland Hills

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Eight injured when car plows into Sports Clip in Orland Hills

Eight injured when car plows into Sports Clip in Orland Hills The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) responded to a reported accident on On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 2 pm involving an auto that crashed into a business in the Walmart Shopping Center off of 159th Street. The business struck was Sports Clips, 9239…

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accident, Cook County, Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud 
Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud 

Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud  By Maria Pappas As the March 1 due date approaches for Cook County property owners to pay their First Installment 2023 tax bills, I encourage people to pay online. It’s more convenient — and much safer. People who still pay their bills by…

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

Erika Maldonado to lead Spanish-language outreach for Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Erika Maldonado to lead Spanish-language outreach for Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
Erika Maldonado to lead Spanish-language outreach for Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

Erika Maldonado to lead Spanish-language outreach for Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Erika Maldonado will lead Spanish-language outreach to taxpayers for the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Maldonado has strong connections throughout the Chicago-area Latino community. She is a journalist with 30 years of experience who has co-anchored evening newscasts for Univision WGBO-TV…

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Chicago, Cook County, Culture, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Money from your property taxes pays for essential local services

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Money from your property taxes pays for essential local services
Money from your property taxes pays for essential local services

Money from your property taxes pays for essential local services Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas My office recently mailed property tax bills to owners of nearly 1.8 million parcels in Cook County. First Installment tax bills are due March 1. Local governments, such as school districts and municipalities,…

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Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Taxes

Tinley Police file murder charges against spouse in the murder of his wife and three daughters

Posted on By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Tinley Police file murder charges against spouse in the murder of his wife and three daughters
Tinley Police file murder charges against spouse in the murder of his wife and three daughters

Tinley Police file murder charges against spouse in the murder of his wife and three daughters Maher Kassem, 63, of the 7400 block of W. 173rd Place, Tinley Park, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder after a domestic incident Sunday, Jan. 21 at his home.  Kassem shot and killed his wife Majeda Kassem,…

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Cook County, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

Jesse Jackson Sr. Endorses Mariyana Spyropoulos for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk 

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Jesse Jackson Sr. Endorses Mariyana Spyropoulos for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk 
Jesse Jackson Sr. Endorses Mariyana Spyropoulos for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk 

Jesse Jackson Sr. Endorses Mariyana Spyropoulos for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk  The candidacy of circuit court clerk challenger, Mariyana Spyropoulos, received the coveted endorsement of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. The founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition said he was pleased to endorse Spyropoulos for her steadfast commitment to justice, transparency and community…

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Chicago, Cook County, elections, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois program lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 per year in property taxes

Posted on By Ray Hanania 3 Comments on Illinois program lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 per year in property taxes
Illinois program lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 per year in property taxes

Illinois program lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 per year in property taxes Your Property Taxes column with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Illinois offers senior citizens a property tax relief program that works like a loan. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral program allows qualifying seniors to defer up…

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