Senior Tax Deferral Program Offered by the Cook County Treasurer’s Office

Senior citizens who are hard-pressed to pay their property taxes should contact the Cook County Treasurer’s Office to learn more about the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program offers loans to cover property tax payments to Senior citizens whose annual household income is $55,000 or less. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2020. For more information, go to cookcountytreasurer.com or call 312-443-5100.

Senior Property Tax Exemption News

A new law passed by state legislators allows for the automatic renewal of the Senior Exemption. This means that a senior homeowner only has to apply once, instead of applying each year to prove they are 65 or older.

Prior recipients of the Senior Exemption should have received a postcard in the mail informing them that they no longer need to reapply. New applicants for the Senior Exemption must apply this year and thereafter it will automatically renew. Please note, the Homeowner and Senior Exemptions are the only two exemptions that renew automatically each year. 

Prior recipients of the Senior Freeze Exemption received renewal forms in the mail in January with a application due date of February 13. The Senior Freeze Exemption still needs to be applied for each year. 

Renewal applications for the Disabled Persons, Disabled Veterans and Long Time Occupant Exemptions will be mailed in early February and can be downloaded from www.cookcountyassessor.com at that time. Taxpayers may also call the County Assessor’s office at 312-443-7550 and request applications or visit cookcountyassessor.com/Exemptions/ to learn more about these exemptions.

Chamber Scholarship

Apply Now for Chamber’s College Scholarships

The Chamber by O’Hare announced it is accepting applications for its annual scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year. The scholarship program offers three scholarship opportunities available to all Franklin Park, Schiller Park, and River Grove residents. One $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a full-time student accepted at an accredited college, university, or community college.

A second $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a full-time current or incoming Triton College student pursuing a degree in an engineering technology/manufacturing-related academic area. Finally, in partnership with Digital Realty, a third $1,500 scholarship is available for a full-time student pursuing a technology related program at an accredited college, university, or community college.

Applications may be obtained by emailing info@chamberbyohare.org or patzinga@ triton.edu. Please include a contact phone number with your email. Completed applications and all required information must be received by February 18. 

Congressman Mike Quigley’s staff at Village Hall – February 26

Are you frustrated with the federal government and need help cutting through red tape? Do you need help with federal issue including veteran’s affairs, Medicare, immigration, social security, and more? Plan to visit Village Hall to meet with staff from Congressman Mike Quigley’s office on Wednesday, February 26 from 4 to 6 PM for assistance.

Municipal Aggregation Program to Restart in January

The Board recently voted to restart the Municipal Aggregation program because the Village’s program now will feature 100% renewable energy, unlike what ComEd supplies. The program’s rate will be identical to ComEd’s rate; it will not be not be higher or lower. Additionally, the supplier (Eligo Energy) will provide the Village with monetary funds to be used for renewable energy projects, such as electric car charging stations.

The program will begin in January and have a two-year term. Residents will receive a letter from the Village explaining the program which will be mailed in mid-November. Residents can opt out of the program at no charge, if they do not wish to participate. Please note that no one from ComEd, Eligo, or the Village will call or visit your home to ask you to enroll. If you are contacted and told that you must enroll, you may file a complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission.

FAQ Green Electric Aggregation Franklin Park.

Housing Authority to Accept Applications for Senior Towers on October 17

The Housing Authority of Cook County will begin accepting applications for one bedroom units in Franklin Towers on Thursday, October 17. Franklin Towers is a Senior Living Housing Community located at 9535 West Franklin Avenue.

This project-based voucher program provides rental assistance to qualified applicants. To be eligible, applicants must be 55 years or older and income may not exceed $31,200 for a single person household or $35,650 for a two person household.

Download the application here.

Get Help Applying for Government Assistance Programs

No appointment is necessary to meet with Leyden Family Services at Village Hall on the following Wednesdays from 9 to 11:30 AM:

• Jan 29th
• Feb 5th and 19th
• March 4 and 18th
• April 8th and 22nd
• May 6th and 20th.

Staff can assist you to apply for Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, the Medicare Savings Program and LIHEAP. They can help you make sense of your medical bills, obtain prescription assistance and to get license plate discounts and free train and bus passes! Bring your Social Security award letter and paycheck stubs that show the amount of income you receive. Check the Document Checklist before you visit here ....

Quiet Zone Update

The Village has received a $1,416,343 Pedestrian Rail Safety Grant to fund a significant portion of the safety improvements needed at the pedestrian crossing at the Calwagner and 25th Street grade crossings and the Metra Station. We are working with Metra to design and construct the safety improvements. The Village will make street improvements including installing a median barrier at 25th and Ruby. Watch our Village newsletter for updates as we move closer to obtaining a Quite Zone Designation in Franklin Park!