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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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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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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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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…
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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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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Jim Spoto Named Orland Township’s Senior American Idol Jim was crowned 2024 Senior American Idol after progressing through 3 rounds of the singing competition. Orland Township’s Senior American Idol is an annual event that brings together talented seniors to showcase their musical abilities. This year, Jim Spoto won against 11 other contestants and inspired everyone…
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Frankfort hosts Earth Day/Arbor Day community cleanup Saurday April 20 In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, the Village of Frankfort invites residents to participate in a community cleanup event on Saturday, April 20, 2024. This initiative encourages community members to come together and contribute to the beautification of our surroundings. EVENT DETAILS: Date…
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Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 8 Spring is almost here and with it comes the Village of Orland Park’s yearly Curbside Spring Clean-Up. This year’s collection will again be offered on residents’ regular garbage pick-up days during the week of April 8-12, 2024. Orland Park’s Curbside Spring Clean-Up is held in…
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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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Paul O’Grady and Orland Township host Senior American Idol March 7, 2024 Join Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees for an exciting evening filled with dinner, dancing, and live entertainment at the upcoming 2024 Orland Township Senior American Idol! This competition will showcase 11 talented contestants who will compete for the…
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Hanania’s columns: Dune review, Pekau’s disrepect in Orland, #AbandonBiden and Best Middle East Bakeries By Ray Hanania My new syndicated column at www.Hanania.com or www.RayHanania.com has touched on a lot of topics this past week. I write four to six columns every week now, driven by what provokes my mind and I share them through…
New App connects CPR/AED trained citizens with cardiac patients in need Orland Fire Protection District Fire Chief Michael Schofield unveiled a new app at the Board meeting Tuesday Feb. 27, 2024 that will help improve lifesaving responses for cardiac arrest patients. The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) already is recognized as having one of the…
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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…
Kennedy needs support to get on Kansas ballot Kansas legislature seek to block independent party candidates from running for office in a partisan effort to support failed incumbent President and Democrat Joe Biden. You can help make a difference to overcome this anti-voter and unDemocratic hurdle Lawmakers in the State of Kansas are changing ballot…
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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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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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…