Category: Government

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

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

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….

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

Hanania syndicated columns: expose ASPCA spending, effort to block RFK from presidential debate and more

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Hanania syndicated columns: expose ASPCA spending, effort to block RFK from presidential debate and more

Hanania syndicated columns: expose ASPCA spending, effort to block RFK from presidential debate and more Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns this week included a detailed look at how the ASPCA spends the money it solicits in high profile but painful advertising on its company executives. Only about $7.75 of the monthly $19 solicited in the Ads…

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Books & Films, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, elections, Government, Humor, National, News, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Town of Cicero limits sales of alcohol to 12 Midnight

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Town of Cicero limits sales of alcohol to 12 Midnight

Town of Cicero limits sales of alcohol to 12 Midnight Beginning January 1, 2025, bars and restaurants that are currently licensed to sell alcohol, individually or packaged will be forced to end those sales as of 12 midnight in the Town of Cicero, a suburban Chicago community of about 110,000 people including 30,000 undocumented residents….

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Business, Crime, Government, Law, News, news release, NewsWire, Police, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Town of Cicero

Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront
Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront

Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau just can’t be honest. Last week, I revealed that the Village removed the sign for the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall from the front of the building. Fred Owens was a beloved mayor who helped…

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Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building

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….

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

Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign

Posted on By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign
Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign

Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign In a pure act of pettiness, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau has removed the name of Frederick T. Owens from the signs in front of the Village Hall, for which the Village Hall has been named, without any public discussion or notice. In its place, Pekau…

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

Can’t hide the anti-Trump spin in the new “Civil War” movie

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Can’t hide the anti-Trump spin in the new “Civil War” movie

Can’t hide the anti-Trump spin in the new “Civil War” movie Although the director denies it, the new Civil War movie is a subtle but direct attack on former President Donald Trump, another effort by the media, this time entertainment, to destroy him By Ray Hanania Paid/Politics-Movie/Saturday April 20, 2024/Syndicated column. Sign up today If…

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Blogger, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, Government, Movies, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Review

Orland Park Village Board Bans Kratom, Tianeptine, Delta 8 THC and other Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drugs

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Orland Park Village Board Bans Kratom, Tianeptine, Delta 8 THC and other Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drugs
Orland Park Village Board Bans Kratom, Tianeptine, Delta 8 THC and other Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drugs

Orland Park Village Board Bans Kratom, Tianeptine, Delta 8 THC and other Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drugs Citing concerns about herbal substances that can produce opioid-and-stimulant-like effects, the Orland Park Village Board voted to unanimously ban kratom, tianeptine, and other novel synthetic and psychoactive drugs. This ban is in addition to a ban on synthetic…

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Government, Health, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

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

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

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…

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

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Issues Statement on January 6

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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Issues Statement on January 6

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Issues Statement on January 6 Independent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. today issued a statement to clarify his views on the events of January 6, 2021.  Kennedy said: “January 6 is one of the most polarizing topics on the political landscape. I am listening to people of diverse viewpoints on…

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Civil Rights, elections, Government, News, Politics

Joravsky and Hanania analyze today’s Chicago City Council with the past on podcast

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Joravsky and Hanania analyze today’s Chicago City Council with the past on podcast
Joravsky and Hanania analyze today’s Chicago City Council with the past on podcast

Joravsky and Hanania analyze today’s Chicago City Council with the past on podcast Chicago Reader journalist and podcaster Ben Joravsky, who has covered Chicago City politics since 1981, interviews former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist Ray Hanania on his special “Oh, What a Week” podcast which is available on most major podcast platforms. Hanania…

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Chicago, Civil Rights, Culture, Government, Humor, journalism, Media Bias, News, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Suburban Chicagoland

The UNLUCKIEST lottery numbers in America, revealed in new study

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The UNLUCKIEST lottery numbers in America, revealed in new study

The UNLUCKIEST lottery numbers in America, revealed in new study The number 47 is drawn the least across all lotteries, with an average frequency of just 138 . The numbers 46 and 43 are second and third, respectively. The luckiest lottery number is 28, with a frequency of 201.4  New research has discovered the lottery numbers…

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Business, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need

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Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need

Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need Nine Chicago aldermen are hoping to undermine Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson using emotional distractions and are failing to address real issues like cracking down on increasing crime. They are demanding Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) should be stripped of power because he was at a rally where an American flag…

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Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, Culture, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, 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

Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias

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Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias

Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias By Ray Hanania (Originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group newpapers): True to his colors, Orland Park’s beleaguered Mayor Keith Pekau is turning to racism and community division to base his re-election campaign. In a recent letter to “supporters,” Pekau launched his campaign using the racist slogan,…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, immigrant, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Alderman Quinn breaks ground on new Starbucks location

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Alderman Quinn breaks ground on new Starbucks location

Alderman Quinn breaks ground on new Starbucks location Retailer to be built on 40-year vacant land. Nearly 10 Years in the Making, Quinn Adds. Starbucks to Growing Cicero Avenue Corridor Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn (13) on Friday, March 22, 2024, stood with Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development, representatives…

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Business, Chicago, construction, Government, News, restaurants

Lyons officials will join St. Baldrick’s “Fight Childhood Cancer” event Sunday March 24

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Lyons officials will join St. Baldrick’s “Fight Childhood Cancer” event Sunday March 24

Lyons officials will join St. Baldrick’s “Fight Childhood Cancer” event Sunday March 24 The St. Baldrick’s “Fight Childhood Cancer” event will be held on Sunday March 24, 2024.   This annual event is organized by the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce in Chicago at at Firewater Saloon, 6689 N Oliphant in Chicago.  A performance of…

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Chicago, Events, Features, Government, Health, News, NewsWire, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

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

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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