Politics & Government
Orland Park Plans Media Blitz on Tax Rebate
Village is pushing residents to apply electronically for their share of a $2.5 million property tax rebate.
Orland Park has drawn up a media blitz to get out the word on applying for a property tax rebate from the village next year.
“We wanted to make this as easy as possible,” said Trustee James Dodge. "And accurate."
The plan includes news releases to media outlets, stories in the village newsletter, postcards mailed to every household in the village, links to an electronic application on the village website, how-to apply videos that will be posted on the village website as well as cable access and YouTube, messages on the village Facebook page and via Twitter, and staffers who will be available at village hall to discuss the rebate.
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“We want people to apply electronically,” Dodge said. “It cuts down on entry errors and is more accurate. But if people still want to file the old fashioned way, they will be able to.”
The Village Board voted last month to approve a $2.5 million rebate from the property taxes paid to the village. Everyone who is eligible for the rebate will receive the same amount.
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What the amount is depends on how many rebates are issued. Village staffers have estimated that if all 19,000 eligible property owners qualify, the rebate would be about $131 each.
The tentative timeline for applications to begin is October with a December deadline, said village manager Paul Grimes. Checks are expected to be issued in March.
Orland Park suspended the rebates in 2009 at the height of the recession.
Mayor Dan McLaughlin said the rebate is only for this year’s taxes. Next year, the board will have to discuss a different rebate, he said.
“Each year we’ll decide if we will do a rebate, how much it will be and the process of distributing it. So each year it could change,” McLaughlin said. “We’re just happy to give something back. Even a small amount helps.”
Qualifications include whether a person lives in the house, and if he or she is up to date on bills, McLaughlin said.
In other action:
- The board voted to keep watering restrictions in place until Saturday, Sept. 15.
- Approved adding a Class A liquor license for a new establishment going in at the Wolf Crossing plaza at 159th Street and Wolf Road.
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