Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office By Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer When I became Cook County Treasurer in 1998, I walked into an office stuck in the past. Boxes containing $30,000,000 of uncashed checks lined the floor, collecting dust rather than earning interest. Just four working computers and six typewriters served a…
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Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities State lawmakers have made it easier for people with disabilities to continue receiving annual property tax relief. By Maria Pappas Cook County homeowners who receive the Persons with Disabilities Exemption no longer must reapply for the benefit every year. Lawmakers acted to allow…
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Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person By Maria Pappas In 1789, Ben Franklin wrote that nothing was certain “except death and taxes.” Today I write about the taxes part of the great American statesman’s uncomfortable reminder: The due date for Cook County…
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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Right from the Middle: Who are Ukraine’s greatest supporters next to America? By William O. Lipinski The United Kingdom is resolved to spend $2.53 billion in aid to Ukraine, second only to the United States, whose contribution at the present time stands at $25.45 billion. Poland is third with its aid to Ukraine standing at…
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Right from the Middle: We must return to Americanism to strengthen our nation By William O. Lipinski In just three short years, our America the Beautiful will celebrate its two hundred and fiftieth birthday giving us a very short time to capture the Spirit of Americanism that our founding fathers believed in and practiced. The Americanism gave us…
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Right from the Middle: US economy imperiled by China The People’s Republic of China (PRC), which has waged an all-out, unlimited economic war against our Land of Liberty and against countless other nations over the past twenty years, is a threat to the future of America. By William O. Lipinski My fellow Americans, it’s time we…
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Women and men Health Information available at VA Hospitals and Online By Jerry Field It’s not a new service and offers a wealth of information on dozens of subjects. It’s been mostly in print and available at VA hospitals. The service is www.health.mil. Known as the official website of the Military Health Systems and Defense…
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Better Dental Plan Rests in Hands of Veterans By Jerry Field The Veterans Administration Dental Plan for Veterans is far less comprehensive than other medical services offered by the VA. Preventive medical plans are excellent covering, hearing, vision and general health benefits. Support services are excellent. Dental Plan lags slightly behind, but that could be…