Tag: Maria Pappas

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 News Editor No Comments

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…

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

Pappas: Second Installment 2022 tax bills are now online, two weeks before they are mailed

October 21, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions?

October 15, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund

September 30, 2023September 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses

September 27, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

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…

Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions

August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

Pappas, Jordan join Fresh Farms, Bloom ‘N Toss and Black Men United for pre-Mother’s Day giveaway of flowers and chocolates on Michigan Avenue

May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas, Jordan join Fresh Farms, Bloom ‘N Toss and Black Men United for pre-Mother’s Day giveaway of flowers and chocolates on Michigan Avenue Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and media personality “Candid” Candace Jordan will take part in a pre-Mother’s Day giveaway on Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue Saturday, May 13. The flowers and chocolate giveaway…

Cook County, Events, Government, News, women

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas refunding more than $47 million to homeowners

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas refunding more than $47 million to homeowners More than 53,000 property owners who overpaid their First Installment taxes last year will automatically get back more than $47 million in refunds starting this week. “If you have a refund coming, we’ll find you and return your money,” Pappas said. “By putting…

Cook County, Government, News, Taxes

First Installment Cook County property taxes due date pushed to April 3

January 4, 2023January 4, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

First Installment Cook County property taxes due date pushed to April 3 Cook County property owners will have an extra month to pay their First Installment property taxes this year, and their bills are already available online. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed HB 5189 into law last month making Monday, April 3, 2023, the new due…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness

December 30, 2022December 30, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness Very few people have done more to strengthen diversity in Illinois than Patricia Michalski, who passed away on December 17, 2022. Pat was an activist dedicated to bringing people of all races, ethnicities and nationalities in the Chicagoland area together. And she did it…

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Pappas: Cook County property taxes due by December 30

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Cook County property taxes due by December 30 Property owners must pay the Second Installment of their Cook County property taxes by Friday, December 30, 2022, to avoid late charges imposed by state law. “The most efficient way to pay is online,” said Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. “You can download your bill online…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire

Cook County Treasurer analysis shows dramatic tax increases in Latino wards

December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer analysis shows dramatic tax increases in Latino wards Cook County property tax analysis: Latino wards see dramatic increases; new state law, reassessments and controversial TIF funds result in higher taxes for most property owners As property tax bills land in Cook County mailboxes over the coming days, businesses and homeowners will likely…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Maria Pappas: Your Cook County property tax bill is online now

November 15, 2022November 15, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Maria Pappas: Your Cook County property tax bill is online now Cook County’s Second Installment property tax bills have been posted at cookcountytreasurer.com, where bills can be viewed, downloaded and paid with no added surcharge. “My office has finally received the figures to print 1.8 million property tax bills,” said Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas….

Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Good and bad choices in the November 8 General Election

November 2, 2022April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Good and bad choices in the November 8 General Election Here are some of the candidates running in the Illinois November 8, 2022 General Election that award-winning political election columnist Ray Hanania believes you should support and reject when you vote on November 8, 2022. By Ray Hanania Which issue is more important November 8,…

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Study shows tax investors exploit property tax laws targeting Black, Latino communities

October 19, 2022October 19, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Study shows tax investors exploit property tax laws targeting Black, Latino communities New Pappas study: Tax investors exploit Illinois property tax law they shaped to reap millions in profits from Black and Latino communities. Homeowners and governments losing out on important funding A new study from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office reveals that hedge funds,…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Maria Pappas honored by Chicago’s oldest Polish Daily newspaper

March 17, 2022March 17, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Maria Pappas honored by Chicago’s oldest Polish Daily newspaper Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to receive the Polish Daily News “Dziennik Zwiazkowy” 2021 Person of the Year award on March 23, 2022 On March 23, 2022, Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer, in recognition of her long-standing service to the residents of Cook County and the…

Cook County, Features, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas changes 2022 Scavenger Sale to benefit bidders and communities

January 12, 2022January 12, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas changes 2022 Scavenger Sale to benefit bidders and communities Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ 2022 Scavenger Sale will look different as the Treasurer’s Office takes steps to help small developers, homeowners and investors rebuild neighborhoods and create generational wealth. Under Illinois law, the Treasurer’s Office is required to conduct a…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes