Pay at Chase Bank or On-line at www.cookcountytreasurer.com

With four days left to pay on time, some 61,000 more taxpayers have paid their property taxes compared to earlier this year, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas reported today.

Pappas said more people are paying at Chase Banks and online at her office's website, compared to the first installment of tax year 2004 that was due March 1.The current second-installment bills are due at the close of business Tuesday, November 1.

"We have given homeowners payment options, and they are choosing what is convenient for them," Pappas said, adding that on-line payments now can be made year-round instead of only during the two one-month payment periods.

Pappas' office mailed more than 1.6 million bills for the second installment of tax year 2004.About 1.1 million payments had been received so far; some 1.4 million on-time payments were made for the first installment.

Bills can be paid:

• At 278 Chase banks.
• On-line at www.cookcountytreasurer.com.
• By direct debit from more than 200 participating community banks.
• By mail (envelope came with the bill).

Payment envelopes postmarked November 1, 2005 , or earlier are on time.On-line payments will be on time until 11:59 p.m. on that date.

Pappas urged property owners to pay on time to avoid penalties of 1.5 percent per month.

"Collections are coming in nicely," Pappas said."But to avoid late charges, pay on time."

Pappas' office collects about $9 billion yearly in two installments, then distributes the money to some 1,600 taxing agencies across Cook County.

Pappas said property owners who did not receive or cannot find their bill should contact her office at 312.443.5100, which responds in English, Polish and Spanish.Billing, exemption and refund information is available on the website, which has information in English and 20 other languages.