Tag: Maria Pappas

Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit

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Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit

Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit more countries and cultures represented than the Museum of Science and Industry’s Display For the 22nd year, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is celebrating the ethnic holiday traditions of nearly 100 different nationalities in the free “Christmas Trees from Around the World” exhibit…

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Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Taxes

Rickey Hendon urges freeze on property taxes and new regulations to address unjustified dramatic hikes

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Rickey Hendon urges freeze on property taxes and new regulations to address unjustified dramatic hikes

Rickey Hendon urges freeze on property taxes and new regulations to address unjustified hikes Former Senate leader Hendon urges Freeze on Property taxes, and proposes reforms during a press conference held at the Cook County Building on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Watch video of press conference below Rickey Hendon, former Illinois State Senator and former…

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Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes, Videos

Loop’s declining value fuels record 16.7% jump in median property tax bill for Chicago homeowners

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Loop’s declining value fuels record 16.7% jump in median property tax bill for Chicago homeowners

Loop’s declining value fuels record 16.7% jump in median property tax bill for Chicago homeowners Homeowners in Black communities hit with biggest percentage increases A dramatic decline in the value of commercial property in Chicago’s Loop, the city’s longtime economic engine, fueled a record property tax increase on homes across the city, according to an…

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

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

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Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers in recent years have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These changes underscore our commitment to support veterans in Cook County and…

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

Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch

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Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch

Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch By Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer Every year, my office mails more than 1.8 million tax bills to property owners across Cook County. If you have a mortgage, your lender may collect money from you each month and put it in…

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

Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago

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Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago

Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the Alliance of Polish Clubs USA will host a special event honoring Polish American Heritage Month by unveiling the first-ever U.S. showing of the “Different Faces of Solidarity” photography exhibit by…

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Cook County, Culture, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders

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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Indian Consul General Somnath Ghosh will host a Diwali celebration to honor Indian American community leaders, activists, and entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions to the cultural, civic, and economic life of Cook County. The event will…

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Cook County, Culture, Festival, Maria Pappas, News, Religion

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes

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The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes By Maria Pappas Every year, my office hears from thousands of homeowners who run into problems with their property taxes due to common errors. Here are the five most common mistakes homeowners make and what you can do to avoid them. Paying Twice for the…

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Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes

The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use

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The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use

The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use By Maria Pappas When it comes to property taxes in Cook County, a lot of people feel like they’re staring at a 1,000-piece puzzle—and someone hid the box with the picture on the cover. That’s why I want to tell you about a tool that helps you…

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

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill

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What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Twice each year, my office mails out about 1.8 million tax bills to Cook County property owners. Most people glance only at the amount due—but your bill is much more than a dollar figure. It’s a detailed breakdown of how your…

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

Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds 

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Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds 

Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds  By Maria Pappas Every year, many Cook County homeowners are bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from vendors offering to help secure property tax refunds — for a fee. But here’s the truth: You don’t need to pay…

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

John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally

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John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally

John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally Community, religious, and elected leaders endorse Harrell for the 8th State House District at a press conference held at Macarthur Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Monday, April 11, 2025 Chicago, IL – John Harrell formally announced his candidacy for the…

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Chicago, elections, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, Maria Pappas, News, news release, NewsWire, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language

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We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language

We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language By Maria Pappas Understanding Cook County’s property tax system can be a challenge even for people born and raised here. Words like “assessments,” “exemptions,” and “multipliers” aren’t part of everyday conversation. For many homeowners, deciphering a tax bill feels like solving a puzzle. Now…

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Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny

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How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny By Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer Two times a year, my office mails nearly 1.8 million property tax bills and collects over $18 billion. That’s not a typo — $18 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system…

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

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN

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Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN By Maria Pappas If you own property in Cook County, there’s one number you should always know: your PIN. That’s short for Property Index Number—a 14-digit code assigned to every piece of real estate in the county. It’s tied to the legal description…

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

How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office

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How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office

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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Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners

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Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Navigating the complexities of the property tax system in Cook County can be daunting for homeowners. My hope is this column makes it less intimidating by breaking down a complex process into simple concepts….

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