A new Illinois law increases from nine months to 13 months the time that taxpayers have to pay delinquent Cook County property taxes before they are offered to investors, giving more breathing room to homeowners and business people struggling to pay their bills, Chicago Citizen reports.

"This additional time can make the difference between keeping your home and seeing it taken away," said Treasurer Maria Pappas, who helped draft the legislation.

Pappas thanked Rep. Mike Zalewski from Riverside, who sponsored the amendment that increased the time before the Tax Sale.

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