Tag: Maria Pappas

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…

Blogger, Chicago, Civil Rights, Commentary, Culture, Government, Illinois Legislature, Obituary, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, women

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,…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

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

American Arab Chamber honors Tabares, Lopez and Pappas with its prestigious annual “Action” Award

December 11, 2021December 12, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

American Arab Chamber honors Tabares, Lopez and Pappas with its prestigious annual “Action” Award The American Arab Chamber of Commerce gave its prestigious annual “Action” Award to three elected officials who went out of their way to defend the rights of Arabs and Muslims in Chicago and Cook County. More than 200 Arab and Muslim community…

Chicago, Cook County, Events, Features, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas posts First Installment property tax bills on website

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas posts First Installment property tax bills on website Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has posted the First Installment Tax Year 2021 bills on cookcountytreasurer.com. The First Installment, which is 55 percent of the previous year’s total tax, is due March 1, 2022. By providing an early look at the bills,…

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

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas opens satellite office at St. Sabina Church

November 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas opens satellite office at St. Sabina Church Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas opens satellite office at Saint Sabina Church to help preserve homeownership. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has opened a satellite office at Saint Sabina Church as part of her Black Houses Matter homeownership preservation program. Partnering with Father…

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

Mosque Foundation hosts Pappas, Chamber property tax refund program

November 6, 2021November 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mosque Foundation hosts Pappas, Chamber property tax refund program Hundreds of Arab and Muslims property owners participated in a Tax Refund Workshop organized by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce Friday Nov. 5, 2021 at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois. More than $750,000 in refunds have been identified…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Editors Pick, Features, Government, News, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas to share government transparency at Tax Conference in Dominican Republic

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas to share government transparency at Tax Conference in Dominican Republic Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to share government transparency and social equity initiatives at real estate and tax conference in the Dominican Republic Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will discuss how advancements in the Treasurer’s Office have increased transparency and efficiency while promoting social…

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

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Illinois fights for business rights

October 3, 2021October 3, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Illinois fights for business rights The American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois which is at the forefront of fighting for the rights of Arab American and Muslim American business owners expanded and consolidated its board this week. The board consists of Trustees who have an equal voice in defining…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Government, immigrant, News, Politics, Racism, Regional Midwest, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to begin sending $25.4 million in automatic refunds to Cook County homeowners

September 30, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to begin sending $25.4 million in automatic refunds to Cook County homeowners Almost 11,500 property owners who overpaid their First Installment taxes will automatically get back $25.4 million in refunds this month, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said Wednesday Sept. 29, 2021. Almost 4,000 refunds go to homeowners who are…

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

More than $39,000 in property tax overpayments returned to Arab community thanks to Pappas and Arab Chamber

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

More than $39,000 in property tax overpayments returned to Arab community thanks to Pappas and Arab Chamber American Arab Chamber of Commerce President Hassan Nijem, an “Honorary Cook County Treasurer,” said he is working with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to refund thousands in overpaid property taxes that can be refunded. More than $39,000 was refunded during…

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