Cook County homeowners can see their property tax bill amount on the Cook County Treasurer's website and pay the bills on-line almost five days before they arrive in the mail, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today.

More than 1.6 million bills for the second installment of tax year 2004 will reach mailboxes starting Saturday (October 1, 2005). The due date is November 1, 2005, Pappas said.

Starting today, however, property owners can visit www.cookcountytreasurer.com to obtain the amount of the bill and pay on-line from a checking or savings account, Pappas said.

"Now that our website accepts payments year-round, property owners have greater flexibility and convenience in paying property taxes on-line," Pappas said, advising owners to have their Property Index Number (PIN) ready.

Pappas said taxpayers also can call 312.443.5100 and use English, Polish or Spanish to obtain the amount of the bill for financial-planning purposes.

Website visitors who still have not paid the first-installment bill from earlier this year will see how much is owed for both that bill and the new bill. Payments for both installments can be made on-line and in any amount (overpayments are rejected), Pappas said.

Besides on-line, bills can be paid:

• At more than 250 Bank One (Chase) locations.
• By direct debit from some 250 community banks.
• By mail (return envelope comes with the bill).

Pappas urged homeowners to make timely payment to avoid state-imposed delinquency penalties of 1.5 percent per month.