Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
What can America do with $14.3 billion? By Ray Hanania In 2022, the Social Security Trust Fund had a $22 billion deficit, which shows you how little Congress cares about Seniors compared to how they care about some foreign countries. When the deficit was announced, no Republican or Democrat members of Congress rushed to resolve…
Pappas: School districts hiked property taxes on Cook County homes, businesses An analysis of Cook County’s 1.8 million property tax bills for 2022 shows that school districts are chiefly responsible for hefty tax bills that are due Dec. 1, according to Treasurer Maria Pappas. The median residential tax bill in the north and northwest…
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Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes By Maria Pappas Veterans deserve our thanks, especially those whose abilities were diminished as a result of active military service. Illinois law recognizes that. Qualifying veterans whose disabilities are certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for tax breaks. Veterans classified as…
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Pappas: Second Installment 2022 tax bills are now online, two weeks before they are mailed Cook County property owners who don’t want to wait until their property tax bills arrive in the mail may now view, download and pay their Second Installment bill for the 2022 Tax Year online at cookcountytreasurer.com, Treasurer Maria Pappas announced…
Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions? Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas If you own a home or other real estate in Cook County, chances are you will have a property tax bill due soon. Property taxes in Illinois are billed…
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Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need By Ray Hanania Last week, I wrote about how Fritz Kaegi artificially increased assessments on properties across Cook County in order to protect business property owners who are big donors with political clout. Kaegi knows voters have no lobbyists and are easily forgotten in…
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Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund By Maria Pappas “Your Property Taxes” column with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Helping taxpayers obtain refunds for property tax overpayments is one of the most rewarding parts of my job as Cook County Treasurer. My office recently helped a south suburban resident receive…
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Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses By Ray Hanania Last year, a report was issued that showed that a major tax burden would slam commercial properties in Cook County. Cook County Asessor Fritz Kaegi reassessed properties in 2021 claiming it would ease the burden on homeowners. But in fact, it has…
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Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Many Cook County homeowners are losing thousands of dollars in savings because they are not taking advantage of property tax breaks. My office recently helped an older couple on Chicago’s North Side receive…
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Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Cook County owes refunds to thousands of property owners because of past overpayments and missed exemptions. Many homeowners who could use the extra money to pay bills, buy groceries and meet other needs have…
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Lyons Mayor Chris Getty Hosts Town Hall meeting with Congressman Garcia and local officials Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty hosted a Town Hall meeting featuring Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia along promising that they would work together to continue to bring state funding to support resident needs. Also attending the event were State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State…
Maria Pappas applauds passage of historic property tax reform law cutting the interest on late taxes Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed into law historic reforms to fix long-standing racial inequities and abuses in the state’s property tax system spotlighted in two studies issued last year by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Pappas’ property…
Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly hosts property assessment workshop June 15 Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly will host a workshop for homeowners concerned about skyrocketing property assessments that will be held on June 15, 2023 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. The workshop will be held in cooperation with Cook County Assessor…
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Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is “off the rails on a crazy train” Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau went on a name calling rant filled with lies and falsehoods, attacking critics who have demanded that he be accountable in his 2023 State of the Village Speech. It was hosted by the Orland Park Chamber of…
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Social Security should be guaranteed to all citizens Amnesty International declares Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster Amnesty International is today calling for social security to be made available to everyone worldwide after a series of crises exposed huge gaps in state support and…
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Fire District fills Trustee vacancy with experienced Fire Commissioner Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) board unanimously votes to name Dr. Beth Damas Kaspar Fire Commissioner to fill vacancy as Fire District Trustee following the resignation of longtime Orland Fire Protection District Trustee James Hickey. Board President John Brudnak showcases the district’s many achievements that have…
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Orland Fire District salutes outgoing board trustees Board of Trustees honors the late Attorney James J. Roche naming the board room in his honor The Orland Fire Protection District on Tuesday April 25, 2023 saluted trustees Chris Evoy, former board chairman, and Craig Schmidt, whose terms expire in May. The board approved resolutions commending them…
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Orland Park Mayor Pekau’s lies cost him the election, again Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is a pathological liar when it comes to politics and his achievements. Worse is that Pekau uses taxpayer resources as a platform to fund his lies, making false statements from the podium of the Village of Orland Park board meetings….
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