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  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
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    Chicago Wolves announce 2025-2026 Training Camp Roster Entertainment
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  • The Chicago Wolves rallied to defeat  the Iowa Wild 4-3 in overtime Sunday Feb. 25, 2024 at Allstate Arena. The Wild led the game 3 to 0 going in to the 2nd period, but the Wolves rallied and tied in the 3rd period forcing the 5 minute sudden death overtime.
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    Orland firefighter suffers minor injuries in responding to home fire Fire
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
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Category: Taxes

Treasurer Maria Pappas featured in Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago

Posted on June 11, 2024June 11, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Treasurer Maria Pappas featured in Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago
Treasurer Maria Pappas featured in Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago

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…

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

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

Posted on June 1, 2024June 2, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on 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

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

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information

Posted on May 20, 2024May 20, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information
Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill address information By Maria Pappas My website, cookcountytreasurer.com, offers people an easy way to correct, change or update name and address information about where property tax bills are mailed. The best option is to electronically request the change online. You may request a change in…

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

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

Posted on May 18, 2024May 18, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on 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

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

Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills

Posted on May 6, 2024May 6, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills
Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills

Senior freeze exemptions help prevent huge spikes in property tax bills By Maria Pappas Many senior citizens on fixed incomes face the challenge of managing their property taxes. They may be eligible for a tax break known as the “Senior Freeze” Exemption. My website, cookcountytreasurer.com, explains the eligibility requirements and can walk you through the…

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

Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign

Posted on May 1, 2024May 1, 2024 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

Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates

Posted on April 29, 2024April 29, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates
Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates

Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates By Ray Hanania My most recently syndicated columns for this week, which are available to the public at www.RayHanania.com, address several issues. My latest column addresses why it is important for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to be permitted to participate in any debate among…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

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

Posted on April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Senior citizen exemptions help give homeowners a break on big tax bills 
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

Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply? 

Posted on April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply? 
Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply? 

Homeowner exemptions slash tax bills. So why do so many fail to apply?  By Maria Pappas Homeowners can reduce their property tax bills by hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year by taking advantage of the Homeowner Exemption. Exemptions are tax breaks. To qualify for the Homeowner Exemption, first-time applicants must have occupied the…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need

Posted on April 4, 2024April 4, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Chicago aldermen embrace selfish politics over public need
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 March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 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

Posted on March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias
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

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

Posted on March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on 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

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

Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending

Posted on March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending
Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending

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

Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions 

Posted on March 5, 2024March 5, 2024 By Guest Columnist 2 Comments on Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions 
Word of mouth helps homeowner get $6,805 refund for missed exemptions 

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

Hanania’s columns: Dune review, Pekau’s disrepect in Orland, #AbandonBiden and Best Middle East Bakeries

Posted on March 2, 2024March 2, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Hanania’s columns: Dune review, Pekau’s disrepect in Orland, #AbandonBiden and Best Middle East Bakeries
Hanania’s columns: Dune review, Pekau’s disrepect in Orland, #AbandonBiden and Best Middle East Bakeries

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…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Books & Films, Commentary, Culture, Government, Health, Humor, immigrant, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Friday, March 1 due date

Posted on February 27, 2024February 27, 2024 By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Friday, March 1 due date
Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Friday, March 1 due date

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…

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

Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud 

Posted on February 16, 2024February 16, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud 
Pay your property tax bill online to avoid risk of check-washing fraud 

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

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