Pappas Urges On-Time Payment on-line at cookcountytreasurer.com or at Chase Bank

Friday, April 1, is the due date for on-time payments of current property tax bills for Cook County owners of homes, businesses and land, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today.

The bills are for the First Installment of Tax Year 2010, and are calculated to be 55 percent of the previous year's total bill.

Pappas said payment can be made on time:

• Electronically, at cookcountytreasurer.com., until midnight on Friday, April 1, 2011.
• At some 400 Chase Bank locations, to the close of business on Friday.
• From personal accounts at 208 participating community banks, to the close of business on Friday.
• By mail (check, no cash) in the return envelope that came with the bill, provided the postmark is no later than April 1, 2011.

Payments received after April 1 receive a penalty of 1.5 percent per month.

Pappas noted that this year's due date was one month later than usual because of action by the state Legislature, which also made the payment period two months instead of one. Next year's First Installment will return to a March 1 due date with a one month payment period.

Property owners can visit cookcountytreasurer.com and enter their Property Index Number to see how much their bills are and that their payments are recorded properly, whether they have received proper exemptions, and whether they are due a refund.

Owners can also call 312.443.5100 for information in English, Polish and Spanish.