Village of Orland Park Residents Must Apply By December 13

The deadline to apply for the Village of Orland Park’s residential property tax rebate is fast approaching.

Eligible Village of Orland Park residents must apply by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2013. The Village Board voted to rebate $2.2 million in residential property taxes as a result of the Village of Orland Park’s strong financial position. This will mark a village tax rebate for nine of the last 12 years.

“We began rebating a portion of the property taxes that residents pay to the village in 2003, and despite a suspension of the program during the economic downturn, we’re pleased that the village is again in a strong financial position to offer the rebate,” said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin.

The total amount rebated to Village of Orland Park residents from 2003 to 2012 was just over $30 million.

Consistent with last year, this year’s rebate will be evenly divided among eligible residents whose submitted applications and documentation are reviewed and approved by the village.

“Residents have three ways to apply for the rebate,” said Trustee Carole Griffin Ruzich, chair of the village’s Finance and Information Technology Committee.

“They can apply online at www.optaxrebate.com or residents can download a paper application and bring the completed application to the Village Hall or they can pick up an application at specific village buildings and apply in person or by mail,” she added.

An instructional video of the online application process is running on the village’s cable television stations, Orland Park Comcast Channel 4 and A T & T U-Verse Channel 99 and on the village’s website at orlandpark.org. Residents who need additional assistance when applying online can also visit the village’s Finance Department Cashier’s Office in the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall.

Paper applications are available at the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall at 14700 South Ravinia Avenue; the Recreation Administration Building at 14600 South Ravinia Avenue; the village’s Sportsplex at 11351 West 159th Street and at the Orland Park Public Library, 14800 South Ravinia Avenue.

Along with the required application, an eligible resident must include copies of their 2012 second installment property tax bill, driver’s license and a utility bill. Those applying online can scan and upload copies of the documents or take a picture of them with a cell phone or tablet.

If a Village of Orland Park water bill account number is provided during the online process or on the paper application, a copy of a recent utility bill is not required.

“The online process makes it more convenient for those who are familiar with computers and uploading documents,” McLaughlin said. “However, we have paper applications for those who don’t use computers,” he noted.

At its December 2 meeting, the Village Board unanimously adopted the 2014 budget, maintaining a flat levy. This means no increase in village property taxes. 

“We are continuing to provide exceptional village services including public safety, a great parks system and a variety of improvements without raising taxes,” McLaughlin said.

Questions about the Tax Rebate Program may be directed to the village’s Tax Rebate Hotline at 708/403-3086.