Cook County treasurer introduces free Payment Plan Calculator for property taxes

COOK COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) -- A new online tool to help residents pay Cook County property taxes will be available on Friday.

The Payment Plan Calculator is free, and will help homeowners design payment plans.

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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' goal is to help homeowners who are struggling with their bills.

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The calculator is designed to help taxpayers manage incremental payments over time, so that their tax bill is fully paid before the Annual Tax Sale.

Last year, the Illinois General Assembly created a task force to recommend payment options to prevent tax-delinquent owner-occupied homes in Cook County from being sold at the Annual Tax Sale.

The tool launches Aug. 2, the day after property taxes are due.

The tool will be available at cookcountytreasurer.com.

Community groups are helping to get the word out.

"We see the struggles that they face, especially our seniors, who've done everything they're supposed to and paid their mortgages, find taxes and the threat of losing their homes to be a really critical issue," Pappas said. "Our next initiative is Springfield and what we can do to do away with the tax sale entirely."

Many Cook County homeowners are struggling to pay their bills and reaching out to the I-Team.