Category: Taxes

Orland Fire District audit shows financial strength and responsibility

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

July 13, 2024July 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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….

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

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

July 13, 2024July 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

July 13, 2024July 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Bill Lipinski, Commentary, elections, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes, Videos

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

July 10, 2024July 10, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

July 1, 2024July 1, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

June 27, 2024June 27, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Taxes

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

June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

June 11, 2024June 11, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

June 1, 2024June 2, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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….

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

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

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

May 18, 2024May 18, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign

May 1, 2024May 1, 2024 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

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…

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

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

April 29, 2024April 29, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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?

April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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