Senior Property Tax Break Deadline Extended

The Cook County Assessor's Office extended the senior property tax exemption deadline two weeks, from Wednesday, Feb. 6, to Wednesday, Feb. 20. The exemptions are for residents 65 and over.

Senior citizens in Cook County who are eligible for property tax exemptions have a little bit of extra time to file, thanks to a deadline extension from the Cook County Assessor. The deadline, which was formerly Wednesday, Feb. 6, was pushed back to Wednesday, Feb. 20, giving residents 65 and older two more weeks to file for their tax break forms. The forms are available online at www.CookCountyAssessor.com.  The tax break forms are for 2012 property taxes, which are to be paid in 2013. The savings will be shown on the second installment of tax bills set to be mailed in July of this year. All homeowners born before 1947 are eligible for the Senior Exemption, regardless of income, which reduces property taxes by about $330. Some homeowners …

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Cook County Seniors Urged to File for Property Tax Breaks

The Cook County Assessor's Office recently mailed a reminder to county senior citizens to file for 2012 property tax breaks. Forms must be completed and mailed to the Assessor's Office by Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Senior citizens in Cook County eligible for property tax exemptions have until Wednesday, Feb. 6, to file the proper paperwork to receive their tax break, according to a mailing sent out by the Cook County Assessor's Office. Residents over the age of 65 should have received the mailing in early January, but residents who just turned 65 may not have gotten them yet, according to an email from the office. “Taxpayers who recently turned 65 will not receive application forms when the senior renewal forms are mailed,” Orland Park Assessor Richard E. Kelly said. “I encourage such individuals to call my office to obtain the forms and information necessary to receive the senior benefits." Kelly said the forms are also available online at www.…

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Papa's Pizza Closing After 40 Years in Business

Owners say the taxes are too high and the restaurant isn't generating enough business to stay open. A new pizza restaurant is expected to open up at the Cicero Avenue spot.

Customers piled into Papa's Pizza this week, looking for one last taste of their favorite pie at the local pizzeria. After 40 years at the Oak Forest location, Papa's is closing its doors — but shouldn't be gone for long. "The name Papa's will still be around," said owner Sam Tuhaimer, who took over the business four years ago. "But we're not generating enough business to stay here. And the taxes are way too high. So we'll probably take a break and come back later." Tuhaimer isn't ruling out the idea of another location in Oak Forest or perhaps nearby Tinley Park. But the Orland Park resident and his wife, Nehu, said they can't afford to stay open in the current location. High taxes are hurting businesses in Oak Forest "big, big time," Sam…

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phxdr

3:10 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012

Don't bother speaking to these people (the Mayor and Aldermen). They think they know best. The straw that breaks the camel's back is on the way though and hopefully these Aldermen and Mayor will be on the outside looking in soon. As to your comment on savings on the power bills...well, you answered it yourself. The idea behind it was to throw the taxpaying citizens of Oak Forest a bone so other …   more ›

Look Back: Oak Forest Grants Tax Breaks for 2 Businesses

Two Oak Forest businesses will see a long-term break on their property taxes after the City Council gave its approval last week.

Tax Breaks Granted for 2 Oak Forest Businesses

A signage company and a restaurant both requested tax incentives through the Cook County Assessor's Office, which require Oak Forest's support.

Two Oak Forest businesses will see a long-term break on their property taxes after the City Council gave the nod this week for two tax incentive requests. S & J Construction on West 166th Street and Yamini, a carryout restaurant proposed for 5220 W. 159th St., both filed for a tax incentive program through the Cook County Assessor's Office. Requests made through the county office's program require approval by the local municipality—in this case, the City of Oak Forest. Follow Oak Forest Patch on Facebook! S & J sought the break to build an addition on the property located at 4245 W. 166th St. The company, which buildings overhead interstate signage, wants the addition to provide a way for trucks to drive through the warehouse for purposes …

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Michael M.

9:16 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I can't believe that none of you have replied to my post or are even angry that the city is using your tax dollars to pay for improvements to private businesses. If you do not care about that, then how can you complain about the taxes and fees? That is why you are paying additional taxes and fees, because they waste the taxes you already pay!!!! Wake up!!   more ›

Area Parents and School Board Officials Oppose School District Consolidation Bill

Using social media to get the initial word out, residents in District 146 and officials in other districts are gathering to express strong opposition to House Bill 1886.

A bill entered into the Illinois House of Representatives that would end school districts as they are now known and replace them with one or two districts per county has sparked ire from parents and school officials. House Bill 1886, filed Feb. 16 by 28th District Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island), calls for “all school districts in this State in existence on June 30, 2012 (other than the Chicago school district) are dissolved, and their school boards are abolished.” The bill was introduced around the time Gov. Pat Quinn’s office suggested that the state could save $100 million by eliminating 500 of the state’s 868 school districts to cut administrative costs, according to Illinois Statehouse News reporter Andrew Thomason. However, local …

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Allen De Normandie

2:37 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011

DEan, I totally agree! Allen   more ›

Southland Stories

Hot Topics: Patch Readers Have Their Say

Local government run amok. Death Row gets an undeserved favor. Teen-aged losers in the thrall of the Dark Side. Just a sampling of the commentary offered by readers on the Southland's Patches in recent days.

On "Oak Lawn Finishes Strong in 2010" from Oak Lawn Patch How can you paint the trim of a house when you can't afford your own medication or food? Is the village going to help? NO! They fine, impose and persecute instead of asking - "Hey - do you need some help?" Beautify??? Sure - after they make it really hard if you are on a fixed income or no income... Instead of writing tickets to those in need (retirees, unemployed) - why not ask - "Is there a reason?" or "Can we help you get this done?" We have youth in this village who need community service - why not use the resources and HELP your neighbor instead of STRESSing your neighbor??? I would love to have a village that REACHES out to help it's own neighbors instead of hurting its own…

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D230 Votes Down 3.2% Levy Hike, Will Eye Lower Figures

Following concerns about high taxes throughout the region, the board will consider asking for less than they're due of the property tax bill.

Citing the concerns of burdened taxpayers, the District 230 School Board on Thursday night rejected a previous plan to ask taxpayers for 3.2 percent more than they received this year. Instead of that increase, which would have added $35 to $45 to the tax bill of an average home, the district will look at an increase of 0.5 percent to 1 percent. A 1-percent increase would add about $15 to the average tax bill, district Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Steve Langert said Thursday. The district's portion of the tax bill on a home valued at $325,000 to $350,000 is currently about $1,400, Langert said last month. The vote against the 3.2 percent increase was unanimous, except for absent board member Frank Grabowski.  If the …

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