Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
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…
Read More “Pappas: When it comes to voting on referendums, the few decide for the many” »
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….
Read More “Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending” »
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…
Read More “Congressman Jonathan Jackson Endorses Sonia Khalil for State Representative ” »
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…
Read More “Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions ” »
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…
Read More “Leving team wins court victory for Dad and his little girl” »
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…
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…
Read More “One firefighter injured in Orland Park fire Tuesday morning” »
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…
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…
Read More “Eight injured when car plows into Sports Clip in Orland Hills” »
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…
Read More “Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud ” »
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…
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,…
Read More “Money from your property taxes pays for essential local services” »
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,…
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…
Read More “Jesse Jackson Sr. Endorses Mariyana Spyropoulos for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk ” »
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…
Read More “Illinois program lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 per year in property taxes” »
Cicero Police arrest and charge two suspects in Dec. 26 killing of Alejandro Trujillo – Charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking are Jason I. Eady of Chicago and Isaac Vaca Hernandez of Burbank Cicero, IL. – The Cicero Police Department announces the arrest of Jason I. Eady and Isaac Vaca Hernandez for…
Read More “Cicero Police arrest and charge two suspects in Dec. 26 killing of Alejandro Trujillo” »
Slashed interest rate on late property tax payments could prevent home loss By Maria Pappas As my office prepares for the Annual Tax Sale, we’re doing all we can to help people avoid losing their homes because of unpaid property taxes. One of the biggest legislative reforms to the Illinois property tax system in decades…
Read More “Slashed interest rate on late property tax payments could prevent home loss” »
New tool shows where property tax dollars go and informs fed up taxpayers By Maria Pappas When I saw how recent property tax bills shocked and angered many Cook County homeowners I knew people needed to understand why their taxes are so high. I began hearing from frustrated homeowners before tax bills landed in early…
Read More “New tool shows where property tax dollars go and informs fed up taxpayers” »