The 1999 Annual Tax Sale will begin April 9, 2001, in Room B, lower level, 69 West Washington, Chicago, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has announced.

Pappas said that the number of properties on which taxes are owed has fallen from about 130,000 last year, which included properties on which at least $10 was owed, to less than half of that number this year, for properties on which at least $100 is owed.

Pappas' office also has been sending extra bills to property owners and updating names and addresses so that more bills go to the correct owners. A program to streamline special assessments has resulted in a 33-percent reduction in these delinquencies.

"This is better for Cook County, better for taxing bodies, and better for all taxpayers," Pappas said.

The sale list of Cook County properties owing 1999 taxes is available on paper or zip disks from the Legal Department, in Room 222, at the Cook County Building, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago.

There is a $250 fee for the general tax list, a $100 fee for the special assessment list, and a one-time $100 fee for weekly update reports.

Applications for registration by tax buyers will be available March 1 in Room 222. Complete registration applications, including collateral, must be submitted to the Legal Department, beginning March 9.

The 1999 Annual Tax Sale will begin April 9 and continue to May 4, or later if necessary.

For further information, contact Gina Quesada in the Legal Department of the Cook County Treasurer's Office, 312-603-6205.