Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today that property owners would be receiving bills that show where their tax dollars are going, including for the first time how much of a payment is for a Tax Increment Financing District.

“It takes a little study, but if you read your bill you will have a better understanding of what’s behind it,” said Pappas, whose office this week mailed bills for the Second Installment of Tax Year 2013, with a due date of August 1, 2014.

Bills carry taxes from seven to 20 local governments – taxing districts – and show how much owed goes to each. These bills now will show how much of the amount owed will go to a TIF, a taxing district which receives revenues for a fund to finance development. About 220,000 of Cook County’s nearly 1.8 million bills will include TIF data.

The four general categories listed on each bill are:

• Miscellaneous Taxes
• School Taxes
• Municipal-township Taxes
• Cook County Taxes

“Within these categories are listed the specific taxing districts – municipalities, schools, public safety, parks, libraries and others – that levy taxes on your home, business or land,” Pappas said, adding that TIF information would be listed under “Municipal-township Taxes.”

“The TIF information is a major step forward for transparency,” Pappas said. “If government taxes your property, you should know why.”

To avoid late interest of 1.5 percent per month, on-time payment can be made:

• Online at cookcountytreasurer.com
• At more than 400 Chase Bank locations across Illinois
• From an account at more than 200 participating community banks
• By mail with a U.S. postmark no later than August 1, 2014

Pappas said further information is on her website at cookcountytreasurer.com.