Tag: property taxes

Property Tax Pointers: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners

May 22, 2026May 22, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Property Tax Pointers: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners By Maria Pappas As Cook County Treasurer, I’ve learned that the property tax system can be confusing and intimidating. To help, I’ve created 10 tips to better understand your property taxes. Familiarize yourself with the Cook County Treasurer’s Office Website Visit cookcountytreasurer.com, your one-stop shop for property…

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

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes

May 8, 2026May 8, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Column: Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas 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…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Statement from John Harrell Candidate for the 8th Illinois House District In the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary election

March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Statement from John Harrell Candidate for the 8th Illinois House District in the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary election Voters in the 8th District face many challenges and issues that need to be addressed and that are at stake in this election. One of the most important is curtailing rising property taxes. They need to…

elections, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Taxes

Pappas says pay property tax bills online now at cookcountytreasurer.com

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Pappas says pay property tax bills online now at cookcountytreasurer.com Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will mail nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2025 First Installment property tax bills by March 2. Payments are due Wednesday, April 1, 2026. But if you want the peace of mind that comes from paying early, you can make payments…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Preckwinkle and Pappas announce on-time First Installment tax bills, ensuring prompt distributions to taxing agencies

February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Preckwinkle and Pappas announce on-time First Installment tax bills, ensuring prompt distributions to taxing agencies Property owners face an important tax deadline in the coming weeks, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Treasurer Maria Pappas are encouraging residents to plan ahead and take advantage of available payment tools. First Installment property tax bills…

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, news release, Taxes

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

February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill name and address information Your Property Taxes with The Cook County Treasurer offers insight on services available at the Treasurer’s Office to homeowners You may not look forward to receiving your property tax bill, but it’s crucial that you get it. Not getting it can…

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

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes By Maria Pappas Record-high increases in property tax bills have angered many Cook County property owners. My office has released an analysis of the nearly 1.8 million tax bills. It showed that in Chicago the median tax bill jumped 16.7%,…

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

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

November 20, 2025November 20, 2025 News Editor No Comments

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…

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

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

October 17, 2025October 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes

October 3, 2025October 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes

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

August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office

June 27, 2025June 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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….

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

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Opinion, Taxes

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears?

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

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

January 24, 2025January 24, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

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…

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