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  • State Senator Mike Porfirio
    Illinois Senator Committee approves resolution urging Illinois K through 12 schools to offer Arabic as Foreign Language option Culture
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Ray Hanania on Politics podcast logo
    Frank Calabrese and Ray Hanania on Politics podcast discuss court ruling on Samatha Steele’s alleged DUI Chicago
  • Dad and daughter Leving Firm
    Leving Team Gained Victory for Dad and Gave a Little Girl the Gift of a Lifetime – Her Father Dads' Rights
  • State Rep Rick Ryan 36th Illinois House District
    Ryan Bill Aims to Expand Public Defender Assistance in Illinois Courts Crime
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    Orland Park Launches Emergency Management Agency Government
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Deputy District Director to United States Congressman Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining Covid-Relief Benefits coronavirus
  • Maria Pappas leads Cinco de Mayo celebration in Chicago
    Treasurer Maria Pappas Recognizes Cinco de Mayo with Celebration of Mexican Heritage Featuring Mariachi Music, Live Horses, and an Art Exhibit Chicago
  • State Rep Rick Ryan 36th Illinois House District
    Ryan calls High School Language Requirement “burdensome” and pushes to remove it Culture
  • Orland Park America 250 Anniversary celebration logo
    Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Year of Events Civil Rights
  • 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
    Hastings leads effort to protect Illinois clients and attorneys from private equity interference Economy
  • MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn with Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (4th District), and MWRD board colleagues and local aldermen
    MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn Leads Berwyn Green Infrastructure Groundbreaking Environment
  • 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
    Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment Frankfort
  • Retired OFPD Battalion Chief Firefighter Robert Winkelman (Photo courtesy Robert Winkelman)
    Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement Features
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Alliance of Polish Clubs President Mirowska-Kopec recognize  Polish population by honoring local leaders ahead of Polish Constitution Day Cook County

Tag: Maria Pappas

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months

Posted on June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months
Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas plans to postpone the Annual Tax Sale for seven months, during which time she hopes to work with legislators on comprehensive property tax foreclosure reform measures. At Pappas’s urging, the Illinois General Assembly last week passed legislation that allows…

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

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

Posted on May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! By Maria Pappas Since I first stepped into my office 27 years ago, one question has repeatedly come up: “Why do my property taxes always go up?” It’s a valid concern. At…

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

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

Posted on May 16, 2025May 16, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners
The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas After analyzing over 2 million Cook County property tax appeals filed between 2021 and 2023, researchers in my office uncovered a troubling trend: the system shifted nearly $2 billion in…

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

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners

Posted on May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners
The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners Nearly $2 billion in property taxes shifted onto homeowners from businesses over just three years, with a disproportionate share of the added burden falling on lower-income Black and Latino homeowners, a first-of-its-kind analysis by the Treasurer’s…

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breaking news, Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin

Posted on April 27, 2025April 27, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin
Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin By Ray Hanania Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who believes he can buy any election, any time for any amount of money, wants to buy the seat of retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker has pushed his Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, to run for the…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Senator Michael Hastings, Taxes

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

Posted on April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago
You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago By Maria Pappas My office is managing about $122 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s entitled to a refund isn’t simple. Most overpayments…

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

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears?

Posted on April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears?
Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears?

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears? Column: Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas One of the most common questions I get in my office, is, “Why do we collect taxes for the previous year?”  Here’s the backstory.   Cook County’s property tax system has changed dramatically since The Treasurer’s…

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Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan

Posted on March 30, 2025March 30, 2025 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan
Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan

Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan By Ray Hanania Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, and several officials including from Cook County, the State of Illinois and from officials of the Orland Fire Protection District offered their best wishes to the Muslim American community as they prepared…

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Culture, Editors Pick, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout

Posted on March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout
Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout

Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout In a first-of-its-kind analysis, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office found much higher property tax referendum turnout in wealthier, predominantly white communities where nearly all people own their homes than in areas with mostly minority populations, lower incomes,…

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

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

Posted on March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 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 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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Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Property Tax Exemptions: How Homeowners and Seniors Can Save on Taxes 

Posted on March 9, 2025March 9, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Property Tax Exemptions: How Homeowners and Seniors Can Save on Taxes 
Property Tax Exemptions: How Homeowners and Seniors Can Save on Taxes 

Property Tax Exemptions: How Homeowners and Seniors Can Save on Taxes By Maria Pappas  Property taxes can be a financial burden, but exemptions can help reduce those costs by offering significant savings to property owners. There are three exemptions that do the most good for the most people.  They are the Homeowner Exemption, the Senior…

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

Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Tuesday, March 4 due date

Posted on March 3, 2025March 3, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Tuesday, March 4 due date
Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Tuesday, March 4 due date

Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Tuesday, March 4 due date First Installment Tax Year 2024 property taxes are due Tuesday, March 4, 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

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

Posted on February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill name and address information
Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill name and address information

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill name and address information By Maria Pappas You may not look forward to receiving your property tax bill, but it’s crucial that you get it. Not getting it can lead to missing the payment due date, which can cost you money.  That’s exactly what happened…

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

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

Posted on February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person
Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person

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…

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Blogger, Comedy, Commentary, Cook County, Humor, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Police, Religion

Property Tax Pointers from the County Treasurer: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners

Posted on January 24, 2025January 24, 2025 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Property Tax Pointers from the County Treasurer: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners
Property Tax Pointers from the County Treasurer: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners

Property Tax Pointers from the County Treasurer: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners By Maria Pappas As Cook County Treasurer, I’ve learned the property tax system can be confusing and intimidating. Whether you’re a new or longtime homeowner, or a senior citizen, I understand your frustrations. To help, I’ve created 10 tips to better understand your…

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

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program

Posted on January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program Amid growing concerns that increases in property tax bills are pushing senior citizens to leave their homes, Cook County Treasurer María Pappas reminded senior homeowners today of a state program that allows them to defer paying their property taxes. The…

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Baby Boomers, Cook County, Crime, Festival, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes, Veterans

Treasurer Pappas offers ‘snowbirds’ and other Cook County property owners the option to prepay taxes due in 2025

Posted on December 16, 2024December 16, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Treasurer Pappas offers ‘snowbirds’ and other Cook County property owners the option to prepay taxes due in 2025
Treasurer Pappas offers ‘snowbirds’ and other Cook County property owners the option to prepay taxes due in 2025

Treasurer Pappas offers ‘snowbirds’ and other Cook County property owners the option to prepay taxes due in 2025 Treasurer Maria Pappas is offering Cook County property owners the option to prepay their 2024 property taxes that will be due in 2025. Pappas’ office will mail taxpayers with an early copy of their First Installment tax…

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Cook County, Crime, Festival, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language

Posted on December 6, 2024December 13, 2024 By Ray Hanania No Comments on County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language
County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language

County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language By Maria Pappas The property tax system can confound lifelong Cook County residents. Assessments, appeals, exemptions and other parts of the process can be difficult to understand. Now imagine you immigrated from a place that didn’t have property taxes. Many countries…

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Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Culture, Festival, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

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    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes
    May 8, 2026
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    May 7, 2026
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    Ryan Bill Aims to Expand Public Defender Assistance in Illinois Courts
    May 7, 2026

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