Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today that a record 500,000 current property tax bills remain unpaid, and property owners have through Tuesday (March 1, 2005) to pay on time or face late penalties of 1.5 percent per month.

The Treasurer's Office had received only 1.1 million payments from the 1.6 million bills it mailed at the end of January, Pappas said.

According to available data, this is a record number of unpaid bills with three business days left before the due date, Pappas said.

"To avoid the last-minute rush and late penalties, pay as soon as possible," Pappas urged.

Taxpayers can pay at more than 250 Bank One installations, including some Dominick's Food Stores, through the close of business on Tuesday. To check Bank One locations and operating hours for Saturday and weekdays, go to www.cookcountytreasurer.com.

On-time payment also can be made by mail, with envelopes postmarked no later than March 1; and electronically at www.cookcountytreasurer.com until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.