@ReporterHal

Property tax research chief for Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Chicago Tribune investigative team expat, proud husband and father.

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

I despise these “need to know” headlines; what if I just don’t care? (being very polite here) . . . What you need to know about Illinois' new cellphone ban in schools - WBEZ Chicago https://t.co/6eujNmpy3u

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

This is actually very cool; all kids need a place to belong: YMCA offers free summer memberships to Chicago teens, 'safe spaces to meet' - Chicago Sun-Times https://t.co/ZeZ5VbgVlj

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

@byaliceyin I love that city.

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

Former Chicago Mayor Lightfoot questions Cook County State's Attorney O'Neil's commitment to confronting abuse by federal immigration agents: https://t.co/rz6Hgzrdl3

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

Great observations here. Susan Sontag, in "On Photography" warned us all in 1977 that seeing life through a camera was negatively altering the way we see the world: Put down the camera phone for images your memory can't delete https://t.co/6cN2CmrErf

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

In Hennepin, SCOTUS found not returning equity in tax sales was a violation of the 5th Amendment, but it did not find it was a violation of the 8th Amendment: Lawmakers vote to phase out county tax-lien sales https://t.co/Xog5Mg7JrD

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

@Chicagomike666 Hah, my typo. They paid $43.5 million, not billion.

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

This major property tax reform that we hope will treat taxpayers far more fairly: Cook County tax buyer industry will be phased out in ‘equity theft’ bill https://t.co/fYD4iCw7ax

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

@Chicagomike666 I have attended them.

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

@Chicagomike666 No, I'm talking tax sale. BTW, I'm the lead researcher at the Treasurer's Office. I know the system inside and out and have the data at my fingertips. (And scavenger sales are now optional, with no plans to hold any more.)

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

@Chicagomike666 At the last tax sale, tax buyers paid a total of $43.5B for tax year 2022, when $17.6B was billed. That was less than 0.25% of what was billed for that tax year. That does not move the needle.

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

@Chicagomike666 Not really. What they pay is a fraction of 1% of what's owed, and sometimes they claw that back through sales in error. In one recent year, they paid $150M across the state, about 0.37% of the $43B owed in property taxes.

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

Illinois legislature adjourns without Chicago Bears stadium solution https://t.co/2xBbhBptTt

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

Would this deal entice the Bears? . . . Lawmakers map a new route to keep Bears in Illinois https://t.co/JIqvm9K6wK

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

This editorial nails the problems with Springfield: https://t.co/rTbgQOpz5S

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

Truly amazing and historic reform:
Illinois lawmakers pass bill to help homeowners catch up with property taxes before losing their homes - Chicago Sun-Times https://t.co/wWf6aCjsFv

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

This is amazing reform:

https://t.co/wWf6aCk0v3

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

The $150M tax buyers pay a year equals 0.37% of the $43B billed in Illinois property taxes each year, so the idea the buyers are needed is highly questionable: “Illinois approves overhaul of Cook County tax-sale system” - Crain's Chicago Business https://t.co/Xog5Mg7JrD

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

Once again,
@scribeguy has unmasked a huge environmental problem: As plastics clog the Great Lakes, industry presses to make more and downplays dangers, Tribune analysis finds https://t.co/nBfsyiZizG

[@ReporterHal @ReporterHal]

When I was a kid, our parents would find a place to stop near Buckingham Fountain to see the fountain do its thing; felt like magical moments back then: In cue from Paris, Chicago to introduce $500 French lawn chairs beside Buckingham Fountain https://t.co/RuiHfmelXJ