Category: Cook County

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes By Maria Pappas Veterans deserve our thanks, especially those whose abilities were diminished as a result of active military service. Illinois law recognizes that. Qualifying veterans whose disabilities are certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for tax breaks. Veterans classified as…

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

Chicago and other cities should launch initiatives to help fathers

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago and other cities should launch initiatives to help fathers The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. is calling on the City of Chicago and cities all over America to create programs that are similar to Milwaukee’s Fatherhood Initiative. Attorney Jeffery Leving, founder and president of the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd….

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

No one injured in structure fire at 135th an Harlem, Al-Hayba Hookah Lounge

October 21, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

No one injured in structure fire at 135th an Harlem, Al-Hayba Hookah Lounge At 5:06 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, companies of the Orland Fire Protection District and Palos Heights Fire District dispatched in response to a possible structure fire at the Al-Hayba Hookah Lounge, 13500 S Harlem Ave (formerly the Ale House) on…

Cook County, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Photos, Suburban Chicagoland

The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming!

October 21, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming! The weather might be crisp and lovely right now, but Chicago’s fierce winter winds and snow are on their way. Before it gets colder, take this time to check your furnace and any other appliances that may have been damaged in the June 29 – July…

Cook County, Flooding, Government, Health, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas: Second Installment 2022 tax bills are now online, two weeks before they are mailed

October 21, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Second Installment 2022 tax bills are now online, two weeks before they are mailed Cook County property owners who don’t want to wait until their property tax bills arrive in the mail may now view, download and pay their Second Installment bill for the 2022 Tax Year online at cookcountytreasurer.com, Treasurer Maria Pappas announced…

Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office

October 20, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office Real Republican Gary Grasso responds to Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s vicious political lies and mischaracterizations. Pekau made his political attacks in his taxpayer funded position as Mayor of Orland Park, something Pekau does quite often. By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Spyropoulos seeking election as Cook County Clerk

October 17, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Spyropoulos seeking election as Cook County Clerk For the past 13 years, you’ve known Mariyana Spyropoulos as a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. But she began her career as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney before moving to private practice. There, she saw firsthand how vital it is for our courts to be…

Cook County, elections, Government, News

Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions?

October 15, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions? Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas If you own a home or other real estate in Cook County, chances are you will have a property tax bill due soon. Property taxes in Illinois are billed…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

US Foreclosure activity shows continued rise in Third Quarter, approaching levels seen before pandemic

October 15, 2023October 15, 2023 Ray Hanania 5 Comments

US Foreclosure activity shows continued rise in Third Quarter, approaching levels seen before pandemic Highest Foreclosure Rates in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Delaware; Average Time to Foreclose Nationwide Hit Pre-Pandemic Levels ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, released its Q3 2023 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 124,539 U.S. properties…

Chicago, Cook County, Economy, National, News, NewsWire

Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need

October 3, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need By Ray Hanania Last week, I wrote about how Fritz Kaegi artificially increased assessments on properties across Cook County in order to protect business property owners who are big donors with political clout. Kaegi knows voters have no lobbyists and are easily forgotten in…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund

September 30, 2023September 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund By Maria Pappas “Your Property Taxes” column with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Helping taxpayers obtain refunds for property tax overpayments is one of the most rewarding parts of my job as Cook County Treasurer. My office recently helped a south suburban resident receive…

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

Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses

September 27, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses By Ray Hanania Last year, a report was issued that showed that a major tax burden would slam commercial properties in Cook County. Cook County Asessor Fritz Kaegi reassessed properties in 2021 claiming it would ease the burden on homeowners. But in fact, it has…

Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Court orders wife to stop selling marital assets

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Court orders wife to stop selling marital assets The father of a 7-year-old girl was rightfully upset when the child’s mother sold a very rare and expensive antique car that the couple acquired while married without his knowledge or consent and without sharing the proceeds. Attorney Jeffery Leving, founder and president of the Law Offices…

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

Car crashes into Orland Park post Office

September 22, 2023September 22, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Car crashes into Orland Park post Office At approximately 1:49 PM on Thursday, September 21st, 2023, The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) responded to a report that a car had crashed into the building at 9500 W. 144th Place, identified as the Orland Park Post Office. On arrival crews found a vehicle that had driven…

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

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Many Cook County homeowners are losing thousands of dollars in savings because they are not taking advantage of property tax breaks. My office recently helped an older couple on Chicago’s North Side receive…

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

Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels Nine hotels in the 19th District are set to receive more than $700,000 in Back to Business grants, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Our hospitality industry helps generate revenue and contribute to the economic and social development of our communities,”…

Business, construction, Cook County, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Mokena, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, restaurants, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions

August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Cook County owes refunds to thousands of property owners because of past overpayments and missed exemptions. Many homeowners who could use the extra money to pay bills, buy groceries and meet other needs have…

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

Disaster Recovery Center opened in Cicero to help Cicero Residents Impacted by Summer Flooding

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Press ReleaseChicago No Comments

Disaster Recovery Center opened in Cicero to help Cicero Residents Impacted by Summer Flooding The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Town of Cicero announced the opening Tuesday (August 29) of a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at Morton College. The Disaster Recovery Center, run by FEMA, is a location where residents who suffered…

Cook County, Federal, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Town of Cicero