Residents of Cook County have been presented with a unique opportunity to claim back what's rightfully theirs in overpaid property taxes and missed exemptions. A partnership between the Cook County Treasurer's Office and local media outlets has spawned two separate initiatives aimed squarely at putting money back into the pockets of homeowners.
On Thursday, October 3rd, Treasurer Maria Pappas joins forces with Telemundo Chicago’s consumer services unit, Telemundo Responde, for an essential 'Las Casas Latinas Importan' phone bank. This venture specifically seeks to assist the Hispanic community, ensuring that assistance is accessible in their native language. For those interested, calls can genuinely start to be made between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to the number (312) 836-3049. Within this window, representatives will be on hand to audit property records and establish any funds due, as detailed on NBC Chicago.
Pappas, in a statement given to NBC Chicago, elucidated, "Duplicate payments can happen, and many Cook County property owners don't know they are owed money. My office has $111 million in potential property tax refunds and about $54 million in potential unclaimed exemptions." The Treasurer also pointed homeowners towards the Treasure's website for more comprehensive information regarding refunds and exemptions.
Not to be outdone, ABC7 is hosting its own 'Our Homes Matter Phone Bank' in collaboration with the Treasurer's Office. This endeavor will occur on the same day, when taxpayers can unabashedly call (312) 603-5105, from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., to inquire about any owed money. According to details released by ABC7 Chicago, homeowners should have their address and property index number ready before calling. A successful precedent is in place, as past phone banks have efficiently helped return $28 million in the form of tax refunds and exemptions.
Sally Ramirez, from Telemundo Chicago, underlined the motive behind these campaigns, stating, "Telemundo Chicago´s ‘Responde’ segments are focused on aiding and championing our Hispanic community and we are proud to team up with the Cook County Treasurer's Office on this very important initiative," indicating a clear commitment to community outreach and financial reparation.
