Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today her office was sending out 19,000 refund checks worth $10.2 million to property owners who did not receive exemptions that would have lowered their original property taxes.

Pappas advised property owners to visit www.cookcountytreasurer.com ("Exemption History") to see if they had received the following exemptions:

• Homeowner - Applies to single-family home, townhouse, condominium, co-op or apartment building (to six units) that is the primary residence. Can save at least $250 per year on taxes.
• Senior Citizen Homestead - For persons 65 or older who have owned and occupied the property for at least one year. Can save $160 to $250 on taxes.
• Senior Assessment Freeze - Freezes property assessment to stabilize taxes for qualifying seniors. Can save hundreds of dollars by insulating the property from rising taxes.

Pappas said the 19,000 checks were for homeowners who received "certificate of error" refund approval from the Cook County Assessor's Office, which approves exemptions. Pappas' office mails refunds to property owners.

"We're glad to send taxpayers their own money, but it's better to pay lower taxes in the first place," Pappas said. "All taxpayers should check on their exemptions to pay only what they owe."

Pappas' Web site currently gives exemption information back to tax year 2000. Taxpayers can apply with the Assessor's Office for exemptions for the three tax years previous to 2004 (collected in 2005).

"For someone who did not apply for several years worth of exemptions, significant refund money may be due," Pappas said.