By: Maria Pappas

When it comes to property taxes in Cook County, a lot of people feel like they’re staring at a 1,000-piece puzzle—and someone hid the box with the picture on the cover. That’s why I want to tell you about a tool that helps you see the full picture: the Pappas Portal, my office’s digital newsletter. This isn’t just another email that lands in your inbox every day. It comes out only when there’s news you can use.  The Pappas Portal helps you understand how the property tax system works. It analyzes socioeconomic data like the property tax collection rate based on race, location, and income, and whether deadlines or industry trends are affecting your bottom line. To give you an idea, Pappas Portal posts have covered topics like:

• “Collection Rates Take a Hit in 2024,” which explained why more people struggled to pay their tax bills last year and what that meant for public services.

• “Unwrapping the Riddle of Illinois Property Taxes,” which attempted to make the local property tax system, a complex topic, less intimidating for taxpayers.

• The 2021 Tax Debt Report analyzed investment gains in pension funds and demonstrated why those gains might not last.

Each entry in the Pappas Portal contains facts, figures and explanations that demystify the property tax system and shed light on a variety of tax related topics. By explaining our findings, we hope to raise awareness and keep taxpayers informed. Subscribing to the free Pappas Portal is easy.

• Go to the website of the Cook County Treasurer, cookcountytreasurer.com

• In the light blue box click on the fourth item from the top titled “Pappas Portal – the newsletter”

• In the upper left-hand corner press “Click here”

• You’ll be taken to a page that says “Sign Up for the Pappas Portal Newsletter”

• Enter your name and email and confirm your email address

• Check the box to agree to receive the newsletter

That’s it. Your email is always protected and is never sold, rented or shared. Getting the Pappas Portal is like having a free translator who explains the complicated language of taxes in a way that’s clear and direct. So, to stay one step ahead, avoid surprises and understand where things are headed, sign up for the Pappas Portal newsletter today. Because one thing’s for sure: your tax bill will arrive. But good, free information about Cook County property taxes and the collection process will arrive only if you sign up and read it.

Photo Credit: Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas