Category: Taxes

Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party
Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party

Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party By Maria Pappas Some Cook County homeowners are bombarded with ads and solicitations from vendors offering help to obtain refunds on their property taxes. My office has about $93 million available in potential refunds for property tax overpayments…

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

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities
Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities By Maria Pappas State lawmakers have made it easier for people with disabilities to continue receiving property tax relief on an annual basis. Cook County homeowners who receive the Persons with Disabilities Exemption no longer have to reapply for the benefit every year….

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

Katsenes and Pekau are angry that I blew the whistle on their TIF district threat to taxpayers

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Katsenes and Pekau are angry that I blew the whistle on their TIF district threat to taxpayers

Katsenes and Pekau are angry that I blew the whistle on their TIF district threat to taxpayers By Ray Hanania 09-04-24 The dangers of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s secretive TIF district proposals I am not surprised Orland Park Trustee Cindy Katsenes, a local realtor with Village Realty, attacked me personally at the Village Board…

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

Union leader says former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody lied to union, public and can’t be trusted

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Union leader says former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody lied to union, public and can’t be trusted

Union leader says former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody lied to union, public and can’t be trusted By Ray Hanania Former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody had a bad habit of lying about how he would act on controversial policies from the prevailing wage to the one-cent per-ounce tax on soda pop. Published in The…

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Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits 

Posted on By Ray Hanania 4 Comments on Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits 
Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits 

Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits  Orland Park, IL — Plans by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau to create three TIF districts to address “blighted land developments” should be put on hold until after he releases two delinquent financial audits detailing the true nature of the…

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Education, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move

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Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move

Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move Residents of Unincorporated Orland Township blast Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau for trying to grab their land and violate their rights. Residents say Mayor Pekau failed to properly notify them of his plans that began quietly in 2022 and continued to 2023 before residents could address the board…

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Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Videos

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

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Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These amendments, effective for the 2024 tax year, underscore our commitment to supporting our veteran…

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

Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments 

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Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments 

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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Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas: New Payment Plan Calculator helps homeowners pay late taxes in smaller increments to avoid ‘merciless’ Annual Tax Sale

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Pappas: New Payment Plan Calculator helps homeowners pay late taxes in smaller increments to avoid ‘merciless’ Annual Tax Sale

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…

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Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Fire District audit shows financial strength and responsibility

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Orland Fire District audit shows financial strength and responsibility

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

Treasurer Maria Pappas sending $22 million in automatic refunds to more than 10,000 who overpaid property taxes

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Treasurer Maria Pappas sending $22 million in automatic refunds to more than 10,000 who overpaid property taxes

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…

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Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person 
Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person 

Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person  By Maria Pappas Property owners face an Aug. 1 due date to pay their Second Installment 2023 tax bills. Many homeowners authorize their mortgage company to pay their two annual property tax installments from an escrow account….

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

Hanania syndicated columns on Pritzker, Biden, Trump and Roe V Wade

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Hanania syndicated columns on Pritzker, Biden, Trump and Roe V Wade

Hanania syndicated columns on Pritzker, Biden, Trump and Roe V Wade Syndicated columnist and award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter writes 5 columns each week addressing politics, slice of life and the Middle East Here is a summary of the most recent columns which you can subscribe to free of charge (or become a…

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Commentary, elections, Features, Government, National, News, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes

Pressure mounts on Biden to step down, fueling support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 3rd party candidates

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pressure mounts on Biden to step down, fueling support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 3rd party candidates
Pressure mounts on Biden to step down, fueling support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 3rd party candidates

Pressure mounts on Biden to step down, fueling support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 3rd party candidates Video Podcast: Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist and award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania discuss the pressures on President Biden to withdraw from the presidential election, and the impact it will have on…

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Read your property tax bill Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urges homeowners

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Read your property tax bill Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urges homeowners

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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Chicago, Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes
Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

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

Treasurer Maria Pappas analysis shows record-high property tax increases for south suburban homeowners 

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Treasurer Maria Pappas analysis shows record-high property tax increases for south suburban homeowners 

Treasurer Maria Pappas analysis shows record-high property tax increases for south suburban homeowners  Homeowners in many south and southwest suburbs will have to pay a lot more in property taxes as the median tax bill jumped a record 19.9% in the region, according to an analysis released today by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. The…

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Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Taxes

You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years
You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years

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