Taxpayers can stay home to make online payment of property tax bills that show them the debt of each local government that levies taxes on their homes and other real property, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said. Nearly 1.8 million property tax bills for the First Installment of Tax Year 2016 have been mailed to owners of homes, businesses and land, and the due date for on-time payment is March 1, Pappas said. “No need to leave the house when you can pay online,” Pappas said. Simply by logging onto cookcountytreasurer.com, online payment can be made from a smart phone, a laptop, or a computer at work or in a library. Anywhere from seven to 20 taxing districts – such as local governments and school districts – levy taxes on a given property, Pappas explained, adding that First Installment bills are 55 percent of last year’s total property tax. On the front of every mailed bill, below the amount owed, is a section called “Taxing District Debt and Financial Data.” That section lists each taxing district that levies a tax on a property and gives the following financial information about each district:

• Money Owed by Your Taxing Districts
• Pension and Healthcare Amounts Promised by Your Taxing Districts
• Amount of Pension and Healthcare Shortage
• Percentage of Pension and Healthcare Costs Taxing Districts Can Pay

Those who log onto cookcountytreasurer.com can see even more information by selecting “Want to see your local government debt?” and entering the 14-digit Property Index Number for the property or the name of a taxing district. “Property owners should know how much they are being taxed and by which units of government,” Pappas said. “The bill and our website tell them.”