Category: Cook County

Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions

June 1, 2024June 2, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions By Maria Pappas I do not determine your property taxes. My job as county treasurer is to bill, collect and distribute that money to pay for local government services. Local governments typically rely on property taxes to fund payrolls and other day-to-day expenses….

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

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information By Maria Pappas My website, cookcountytreasurer.com, offers people an easy way to correct, change or update name and address information about where property tax bills are mailed. The best option is to electronically request the change online. You may request a change in…

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

Cantu Murder Update: Victim’s girlfriend plotted her boyfriend’s murder, Bridgeview Police charge

May 18, 2024May 18, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cantu Murder Update: Victim’s girlfriend plotted her boyfriend’s murder, Bridgeview Police charge Agnieszka Rydzewski, 33, (8-10-1990) the girlfriend of Arturo Cantu, 39, who was murdered on Wednesday morning while leaving for work, was charged Saturday evening with “Solicitation to Commit Murder.” Rydzewski was a coworker with the accused killer, Anthony Calderon, at a local McDonalds….

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

Bedford Park suspect arrested, charged by Bridgeview Police in remote car-start killing

May 18, 2024May 18, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Bedford Park suspect arrested, charged by Bridgeview Police in remote car-start killing A 20-year-old Bedford Park man was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder late Friday evening in the shooting death of a Bridgeview man who was walking to his car, which he remote started. Arturo Cantu, 39, was shot twice as he left…

Cook County, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology, Transportation

Treasurer Pappas honors business, community leaders during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration

May 17, 2024May 17, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Treasurer Pappas honors business, community leaders during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognized 14 business and community leaders with Certificates of Excellence during an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration. The event took place at 3 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the Cook County Treasurer’s…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills By Maria Pappas Many senior citizens on fixed incomes face the challenge of managing their property taxes. They may be eligible for a tax break known as the “Senior Freeze” Exemption. My website, cookcountytreasurer.com, explains the eligibility requirements and can walk you through the…

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

Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building

May 2, 2024April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

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….

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

Senior citizen exemptions help give homeowners a break on big tax bills

April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

First Responder Mental Health Legislation Clears Senate

April 11, 2024April 11, 2024 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

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…

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

Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park

April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

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…

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

Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply?

April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Top 10 tips that help homeowners better understand their property taxes

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

Rainbow PUSH resumes Saturday morning forums starting March 16

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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….

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

Congressman Jonathan Jackson Endorses Sonia Khalil for State Representative

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Cook County, elections, News, NewsWire, Politics

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

March 5, 2024March 5, 2024 Guest Columnist 2 Comments

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…

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

Leving team wins court victory for Dad and his little girl

February 28, 2024February 28, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News