Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas advised property owners today that second-installment taxes for tax year 2003 are being mailed, and there are more places to pay than ever before.

Pappas said that before the due date of November 15, 2004 - after which payments are late - property owners can pay on time:

• At 138 LaSalle Banks, which will accept checks, cash and money orders. Payments will be accepted at LaSalle only through January 15, 2005.
• On www.cookcountytreasurer.com, from a checking or savings account, until 11:59 p.m. on November 15. There is a $1 service fee.
• At 218 community banks. Customers of banks in the Treasurer's Community Bank Outreach program may pay from their accounts at participating banks. (See the Web site for a listing.)
• By mail to: Cook County Treasurer, PO Box 802448, Chicago, IL 60680-2448.
• At a Treasurer's Office facility.

"Taxpayers have more places and ways to pay on time and avoid penalties," Pappas said.

By state law, payments received after November 15 are penalized at 1.5 percent per month.

To avoid penalties, mailed envelopes must be postmarked no later than November 15, have only one check per billing coupon, and show:

• Name, address, telephone number of payer.
• Any e-mail address of payer.
• Property Index Number (PIN), found on bill.

"If you mail, go to the post office for a timely postmark, not the mailbox," Pappas said.