Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments By Maria Pappas Property owners who were unable to pay their tax bills in full by the Aug. 1 due date need not worry about losing their home – at least not right away. As a homeowner you have time to pay off…
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Garage Fire in Orland Park Wednesday extinguished, no casualties The Orland Fire District responded to a reported garage fire located in the 8900 block of Oakdale Court in Orland Park on Wednesday August 7th, 2024 at at 4:51 pm. Multiple 911 calls were received for a reported garage fire. Companies arrived on the scene and…
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$22.5 Million Jury Verdict Against Naperville in One of Illinois’ Largest-Ever Wrongful Conviction Verdicts Late on Monday, August 5, 2024, a Federal jury delivered one of the state’s largest-ever wrongful conviction verdicts against a Naperville police officer for framing William Amor for an alleged 1995 arson-murder that turned out to be an accidental fire. Amor,…
Pappas: New Payment Plan Calculator helps homeowners pay late taxes in smaller increments to avoid ‘merciless’ Annual Tax Sale Cook County property owners have a free financial planning tool that can help them pay off their past-due property tax bills and avoid the “merciless” Annual Tax Sale, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today. A Payment Plan…
Sale-in-error study shows how tax buyers transfer wealth from low-income areas By Maria Pappas My office redesigned this year’s property tax bills to clearly show where your tax dollars go. On the front of every bill, you can see how much of your hard-earned money goes to each taxing body What is less visible, however,…
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Orland Fire District audit shows financial strength and responsibility Orland Fire District, Il — The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) released its official annual audit on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 that reflects solid financial management and a “great respect” for the interests of taxpayers. Audits of government agencies are mandated by State Law in order…
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Treasurer Maria Pappas sending $22 million in automatic refunds to more than 10,000 who overpaid property taxes Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is sending more than $22 million in automatic refunds to more than 10,000 property owners who overpaid their property taxes last year. “For many senior citizens and others, the value of tax breaks…
No injuries at home fire in unincorporated Orland Township A homeowner at the 16500 Block of Lee Avenue in unincorporated Orland Township on Tuesday night, July 23, 2024, called 911 to report that he suspected his property may have been struck by lightning. He reported experiencing some electrical issues during the apparent strike to a…
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Read your property tax bill Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urges homeowners Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urges homeowners hit by record property tax hikes to see ‘Where Your Money Goes’ by visiting her website which provides details and comparisons on where increases occurred Cook County taxpayers should read their property tax bills to better…
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Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes By Maria Pappas Record-high increases in property tax bills have shocked and angered many Cook County property owners, especially in the south suburbs. Second Installment 2023 bills are online at cookcountytreasurer.com and arriving in mailboxes in early July. Bills are…
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Video Podcast: Lipinski, Hanania on Biden-Trump debate disaster Should President Joe Biden step down following his disastrous performance at the CNN orchestrated debate on Thursday June 27, 2024 and who can replace him. Michelle Obama? Or, if Biden stays in, will it improve the chances of electing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as America’s Third Party…
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State Rep Nichols honored with Juneteenth award from business leadership State Representative Cyril Nichols (D-32nd) was honored Wednesday June 19th, 2024 with the “Joe Biden Life Time Achievement” Award from the Southland Black Business Chamber of Commerce at their annual Chicago Southland Black Chamber (CSBCC) Juneteenth Gala & Awards Ceremony. The award is presented to…
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Cicero Police announce arrest of two Chicago suspects in Potrillo robbery and killing Two Chicago residents were arrested and charged in the June 18, 2024 killing of Sebastian Rodriguez during a robbery of Potrillo Liquors in Cicero. The Cicero Police Department announces the arrest Friday of Anthony J. Johnson Jr. (35 yrs old) and Randell…
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“Huge fire” damages UFC Gym in Orland Park Thursday The Orland Fire District responded at 2:31 pm on Thursday, June 20, 2024 to a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive, Unit C, in the Orland Park Mall complex. Multiple 911 calls were received for a fire in the rear…
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Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara Controversy-plagued Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau will introduce a letter at Monday’s Village Board meeting (June 17, 2024) signed by him telling Village Manager George Koczwara that his contract cannot be renewed because it would be “unfair and inappropriate to allow an automatic extension” to…
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You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years By Maria Pappas My office is sitting on about $93 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years. Most overpayments occurred because more than one person paid the same tax bill twice. Reasons why duplicate payments occurred…
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Village of Bridgeview responds to Red Stars on RiotFest move to Seat Geek Stadium The Village of Bridgeview released the following statement regarding the scheduling of Riot Fest at SeatGeek Stadium Sept. 21, 22, and 23, 2024. In October 2019 when the Red Stars renewed their agreement with the Village for the use of Bridgeview…
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Treasurer Maria Pappas featured in Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago More than 34,000 documents, multimedia files and other items highlighting the career accomplishments of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas are featured in the Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago. A five-minute video that captures Pappas’ achievements and her desire to…