THE ORLAND TOWNSHIP F O C U S
AUG - OCT NEWSLETTER MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERVISOR Vol. 06 Issue 32 Dear Orland Township Resident, What makes a community special are the people who live there and the opportunities they have to join 2019 together to help each other, learn, get fit and celebrate. Every day I reflect on how fortunate we are to enjoy such a high quality of life in Orland Township, with excellent services and plentiful activities produced in a thoughtful and fiscally responsible manner.
Our Pet-Palooza festival each year delights a crowd of local families and their four-legged friends with an afternoon of games and prizes for kids, a host of pet-oriented vendors and organizations, free samples from local restaurants, and more – all while raising funds for the Orland Township Pet Pantry, which provides pet food and supplies to pet owners experiencing financial difficulty in feeding or caring for a pet.
Paul O’Grady We invite you, your family and neighbors to join our 8th annual Pet-Palooza on Saturday, Sept. 14, Orland Township Supervisor between noon and 3 p.m., on the Township grounds at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave.
Other Upcoming Events: Our Senior Dating Game, modeled on “The Dating Game” show, will spotlight senior citizen singles. The casting call is Tuesday, Aug. 6 (6:30 p.m. for men and 7:30 p.m. for women). And the event before a live audience is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Orland Chateau. Proceeds benefit the Orland Township Scholarship Foundation. Please call the Township at (708) 403-4222 to purchase event tickets or for more information. Elected Officials With multiple cases of measles reported this year in Illinois, including at least two in Cook County, the Township will soon offer several opportunities for residents to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. See page 7 of this Focus for details. Our Drive Thru Flu Shot Clinic on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon is a convenient option to obtain the flu shot and better prepare for Paul O’Grady flu season. -Supervisor- And on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., we will host a Fall Job Fair with recruiters from local and national employers. Individuals eyeing a change in profession, or looking for full-time or part-time work, are encouraged to attend. Cindy M. Murray Especially for Seniors: The Township has several fun and entertaining events for seniors, in particular, in the coming weeks. The -Clerk- annual End of Summer Fun & Games Picnic is Thursday, Aug. 8 at Jaycee Grove in Tinley Park. A weekend trip to Milwaukee, featuring Irish dancers, music and cultural exhibits, is set for Friday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 18. The 70’s Dinner Dance on Thursday, Sept. 19 will include dinner at the Orland Chateau and tunes under a disco ball. And on Friday, Sept. 20, the Grandparent Patrick Feldner and Grandchild Dinner Dance will have music all generations can enjoy. See the Senior Services section of this Focus for more details. Maria Sanfilippo
Working for You: Whether it’s electronic recycling, distributing school supplies to families in need of assistance, or helping seniors Antonio Rubino learn more about Medicare health plans, there is much we do to offer quality programming for area residents while serving the best John Lynch interests of local taxpayers. -Trustees- The Back to School Health Fair in early July helped students get ready for the coming school year, among other recent highlights. In May, we celebrated Older Americans Month by Rich E. Kelly offering free sessions of popular exercise classes, hosting a -Assessor- senior health fair, and creating a series of themed events for each Drop-In/Bingo Day. We also helped collect canned goods and other non-perishable food items as part of the Brian H. Younker “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive. -Highway Commissioner- We encourage you to peruse this Focus for more information about our initiatives. If you have any questions about the Office Locations programs, services or events we offer, please don’t hesitate Main Office to call (708) 403-4222 or visit us online at orlandtownship.org. 14807 S. Ravinia Avenue Best wishes for the remaining weeks of summer and the early Orland Park, IL 60462 fall. Phone: (708) 403-4222 Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady (second from left) with one of the Fax: (708) 403-4260 We’re your Township, and we’re working for you. 2018 Pet-Palooza pet contest winners and contest judges, from left: Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Star 96.7 morning show host Kevin Kollins and NBC •Administrative Office• Chicago Meteorologist Andy Avalos, who also served as emcee for the contests. Sincerely, •Assessor’s Office• Paul O’Grady •Youth & Family Counseling Services• Phone: (708) 403-4001
•Highway Department• Dating Game Casting Call...... Aug. 6 16125 S. Wolf Road Orland Park, IL 60467
PAID Pet-Palooza ...... Sept. 14 Phone: (708) 403-5148 ECRWSS U.S. Postage U.S. Excel Mailing PRSRT STDPRSRT Fax: (708) 403-5165 Dating Game Show ...... Oct. 3 Fall Job Fair ...... Oct. 8 www.orlandtownship.org
Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic...... Oct. 26 TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT WORKING FOR YOU
What’s Inside? Board Meetings Orland Township board meetings are Assessor’s Office ...... 4 Food Pantry ...... 14 held at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday Class Schedule ...... 8-9 Health Services ...... 6-7 of the month in the Orland Township Clerk’s Office ...... 3 Highway Department ...... 5 Boardroom, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Counseling Services ...... 13 Senior Services ...... 10-12 Board meetings are open to the public and meeting agendas and minutes may be found on the Orland Township
*****************ECRWSSEDDM**** website, www.orlandtownship.org Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady Postal Postal Customer is on Facebook. THE ORLAND TOWNSHIP Like the Supervisor’s page and receive updates and the most recent Township news: facebook.com/supervisorogrady Orland Township 14807 S. Ravinia Avenue OrlandIL Park, 60462 FOCUS Pg. 2 / Aug. 2019 - Oct. 2019 THE ORLAND TOWNSHIP FOCUS
NEW FRO ASSESSOR The mission of the Township Assessor is to provide informati n and services that S M THE are accessible, prompt and accurate. This is possible, in part, because township government is so close and responsive to the local property owner. RICH E. KELLY
Want to Bring plenty of resumes and dress to impress! Part-Time, Full-Time, Entry Level and Professional Positions If you’re looking for work, polish your resume and your FALL shoes for the Orland Township Fall Job Fair. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, INTO A JOB?! at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., and will Attend the feature recruiters from prospective employers. Orland Township’s spring job fair in April attracted Orland Township recruiters from nearly 40 local and national businesses. Fall Job Fair! More than 150 job seekers attended, with a majority residing in the Township and coming from all different educational and professional backgrounds. For more information on the upcoming job fair, visit Orland Township’s website (www.orlandtownship.org) or call Alexis (708) 403-4222.
Tuesday, Oct. 8 • 10 a.m.– 1 p.m. 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park
SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED Orland Township is seeking NEW school supplies to help Orland Township students (grades K 12) prepare for the school year. Items needed include:
New Backpacks
Donations accepted through Aug. 30. For more information, please call Orland Township at (708) 403-4222. THE ORLAND TOWNSHIP FOCUS Pg. 3 / Aug. 2019 - Oct. 2019
. CINDY M. MURRAY
Prepare for the Next Election, Register Now Registering to vote in Orland Township has never been If registering to vote in person, you must display two easier or more convenient. Sure, you can register in the pieces of identification. Neither needs to be a photo ID, Automatic Voter Registration Eligible adults in Illinois also may have their voter weeks prior to or even on the day of the state’s next but one must include your current address. Acceptable registration information updated automatically when election – the presidential primary – on March 17, 2020. forms of ID include: they interact with the Illinois Secretary of State. If visiting But why wait? If you’re eligible to vote but not already an office of the Secretary of State to obtain or update a registered, please do so at your earliest opportunity. • Illinois driver’s license driver’s license or state ID, individuals are encouraged to inquire as to whether they may be eligible for You may register online, in person, or by mail. You must • Illinois state ID automatic voter registration. be: • Employee or student ID (Sources: Cook County Clerk’s Office; State Board of 1. A U.S. citizen • Credit card Elections) 2. At least 18 years old by Election Day • Social Security card 3. A resident of your precinct at least 30 days • Birth certificate prior to Election Day • Utility bill Ways to Register • Postmarked mail If you have an Illinois driver’s license or state ID, online • U.S. passport registration is available via the State Board of Elections • Lease or rental contract website (ova.elections.il.gov).
You also may register in person at any of the Cook To register my mail, you may download an application County Clerk’s locations, including those in Bridgeview, from the State Board of Elections, complete it, and then at 10220 S. 76th Ave., or in Markham, at 16501 S. return it. Visit the board online (elections.il.gov/ Kedzie Ave. Or register with a deputy registrar or at a votinginformation/voteregforms.aspx) to obtain an village, city or township clerk’s office, an Illinois application and for filing directions. Secretary of State’s driver’s license facility, or certain other state government offices.
Assistance Programs Help Residents Orland Hills Residents May Qualify for Financial Experiencing Financial Hardship Assistance with Water Bills Managed by Supervisor Paul O’Grady Illinois American Water, which serves Orland Hills residents, provides qualifying residential customers with financial assistance through the H2O Help to Others Orland Township strives to support residents in as many ways as Program to help them manage water bills. Any residential customer with a possible by providing valuable services and programs, ranging from delinquent account and demonstrated financial need due to an emergency state our Food Pantry and Pet Pantry to health seminars and senior (not chronic or intentional delinquency) may be eligible to apply. transportation. As part of this mission, the Township offers a year- round General Assistance program that helps residents meet basic Individuals applying for assistance must be Illinois American Water residential needs until employment or another source of income, such as Social Security, disability or customers and may apply for assistance one time per calendar year. For more public aid, is obtained. The Township aims to help residents experiencing economic difficulty information on this and other assistance programs available to area residents, get back on their feet as quickly as possible so that a temporary economic struggle does not please contact Alexis at (708) 403-4222. become a more detrimental and permanent challenge. The H2O Help to Others Program was created by Illinois American Water and “There are people in our community who are struggling financially,” said Supervisor Paul the Illinois Salvation Army. O’Grady, who manages the program. “It’s important that they know we are here to help.”
The Township also offers the Emergency Assistance program, which grants financial aid to qualified individuals and families on a short-term basis to alleviate life-threatening Staff from the will be to help circumstances or to assist residents in returning to self-sufficiency. The Emergency families apply for SNAP benefits! Appointments are Assistance program offers many relief options, including but not limited to rent/mortgage Please bring the following with you: assistance and energy/utility bill assistance. ✓ID (such as driver’s license or birth ✓Social Security cards for everyone in your “When one of us falls behind, we all fall behind,” Supervisor O’Grady said. “Orland Township ✓Pay stubs, Social Security Statement, statement or any other proof of income from the past 30 da wants to help those in need get back on their feet so our community can remain strong.” ✓Proof of medical expenses from the last 30 days for anyone blind, disabled, or over ✓Court ordered child support statement, if ✓ To apply for any of these programs, residents must complete an application and provide Mortgage statements, property taxes, and/or homeowners insurance, if ✓ verification of household size as well as proof of residency and income. Applications may be SNAP Redetermination Letter. Form: IL444-1893 *Renewals Only* obtained at the Orland Township office, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Date: Tuesdays, Aug. 13, Sept. 10 & Oct. 8 Time: 8:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. By Appointment Only For more information on services provided by Orland Township, please call (708) 403-4222 Call (708) 403-4222 to make an appointment or visit us online at orlandtownship.org. Location: Orland Township 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park
Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Receive Reduced-Fee License Plate Stickers and Other Benefits with the Benefit Access Program Sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging
The state Department on Aging’s Benefit Access Program, formerly known as To qualify for the Benefit Access Program, the following requirements must be met: Circuit Breaker, allows the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to provide reduced-fee license plate stickers for senior citizens and persons with disabilities who meet Age specific qualifications. Other benefits include the Seniors Free Transit Ride or the • Must be 65 years of age or older by Dec. 31, 2019; or Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride. • Must be 16 years of age or older and totally disabled prior to Jan. 1, 2019.
An application must be submitted online (please visit www.Illinois.gov/aging). Income Limits Paper applications are not available. Proof of income must be provided at time of • $27,610 if filing an application for yourself only; submission. • $36,635 if filing an application for yourself and your spouse; • $45,657 if filing an application for yourself, your spouse and at least one State of Illinois Disability Parking Placard • qualified additional resident. Temporary disability parking placards (valid for three months) may be Residency obtained at the Orland Township office. You must bring in a copy of • You must live in Illinois at the time of application. your completed Persons with Disabilities Certification for Parking Placard/License Plates form from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office and proof of residency to receive a temporary parking placard Expiration while waiting for your permanent one to arrive from the state. Those • Benefits are good for two years. The two-year period starts at the time you are needing a temporary parking placard (valid for up to six months) for a temporary approved for benefits. disability, must obtain those placards from the Secretary of State’s office. For more information on disability parking placards, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com. For more information or assistance in completing an application, call Orland Township at (708) 403-4222. Pg. 4 / Aug. 2019 - Oct. 2019 THE ORLAND TOWNSHIP FOCUS
NEW FRO ASSESSOR The mission of the Township Assessor is to provide informati n and services that S M THE are accessible, prompt and accurate. This is possible, in part, because township government is so close and responsive to the local property owner. RICH E. KELLY
The 2018 Second Installment Property Tax Bills were mailed July 1, with a due date of 78 Did not receive any assessed valuation reductions Aug. 1. This Second Installment bill reflects the assessed value, state equalization 14 Received reductions ranging from 1 – 999 factor, exemption(s), local tax rate, and total payment due. This bill also shows a 63 Received reductions ranging from 1,000 – 1,999 Taxing District Breakdown indicating the amount being paid to each taxing district 88 Received reductions ranging from 2,000 – 2,999 within that particular suburban municipality. 66 Received reductions ranging from 3,000 – 3,999 53 Received reductions ranging from 4,000 – 4,999 Upon receipt of the Second Installment Tax Bill, all taxpayers in Orland Township 16 Received reductions ranging from 5,000 – 5,999 should carefully review this property tax bill to make sure that it reflects the property 9 Received reductions ranging from 6,000 – 6,999 tax exemption(s) to which one may be entitled. Depending upon each taxpayer’s 5 Received reductions ranging from 7,000 – 7,999 particular circumstances, these exemptions may include: 2 Received reductions ranging from 8,000 – 8,999 2 Received reductions ranging from 9,000 – 9,999 • Homeowner’s Exemption 1 Received a reduction ranging from 15,000 – 15,999 • Senior Citizen Exemption (born in 1953 or prior year) The approximate dollar amount of savings per every 1,000 reduction in assessed • Senior Assessment Freeze Exemption (senior citizen residing in home as of Jan. valuation would be $313.00. This approximate figure was calculated by multiplying 1, 2017 and Jan. 1, 2018, with a total gross household income including gross 1,000 times the 2018 final state multiplier of 2.9109 times a sample tax rate of social security for income tax year 2017 of no more than $65,000) 10.75%. The total assessed valuation reductions of the 319 appeals in which our • Disabled Person’s Exemption office assisted with the appeal process equaled 1,020,236. Based on the above • Disabled Veteran’s Exemption formula: 1,020,236 X 2.9109 X 10.75% = $319,254. This dollar figure represents the • Returning Veteran’s Exemption approximate total savings to these 319 taxpayers.
Our office will be happy to assist you with filing Certificate of Error Application(s) for As of the writing of this Focus article, we have been given an estimated date of Aug. missing exemptions for the current 2018 property tax year, as well as three prior 2, 2019 regarding the 2019 Appeals for Orland Township. Taxpayers will be given a years, if applicable, in order to receive refunds. 30-day window of opportunity in which to file appeals through the Cook County Assessor’s Office. Once we open for our appeal session, we will begin scheduling A total of 397 2018 Board of Review Appeals were filed through our office during the appointments which may be done in person or by phone. We will be happy to help our Cook County Board of Review filing period of Nov. 7, 2018 to Dec. 6, 2018. Of these taxpayers requesting assistance with appealing the property tax assessments of their 397 Appeals, 319 or approximately 80% resulted in reductions. These assessed primary residences. Please note that appointments are limited. valuation reductions will be reflected on the 2018 Second Installment Property Tax Bills. Seventy-eight of the appeals, or approximately 20%, did not result in reductions. Orland Township taxpayers will also be given a second opportunity to file 2019 Appearing at the top of the next column is a breakdown of the number of appeals appeals through the Cook County Board of Review. This approximate filing period which resulted in assessed valuation reductions in the various range categories: may occur in November. Check the Board of Review’s website later (www.cookcountyboardofreview.com) or contact our office at (708) 403-4222 for exact details regarding this particular appeal filing period.
Orland Township Honors Volunteers ‘The Heart and Soul of the Township’
Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees recently recognized, at an appreciation dinner, more than 120 Orland Township volunteers.
After describing their work and thanking them for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to the community, department coordinators named a Volunteer of the Year for each department – a daunting task given the number of residents who regularly contribute.
“Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Township,” said Supervisor O’Grady. “They selflessly give their time, energy and talent and without them we could not accomplish everything we do at the Township. We look forward to this annual event to formally thank them and recognize their efforts.”
Volunteers individually recognized for contributions included: Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady with Township Volunteers of the Year at a dinner held to recognize the contributions of more than 120 volunteers. Pictured in the front row (from left) are: • Sandy Mulcahy, Health Services Volunteer of the Year Robin Kassis, Food Pantry Coordinator; Erica Harris (mother of Youth Services Volunteer of the Year • Jalen Harris, Youth Services Volunteer of the Year Jalen Harris, who was unable to attend); Sharon Heft, Food Pantry Volunteer of the Year; Nora Tuzim, Health Services Coordinator; Sandy Mulcahy, Health Services Volunteer of the Year; Bill and • Chris and Bill Weir, Senior Services Volunteers of the Year Chris Weir, Senior Services Volunteers of the Year. Back row (also from left): Township Trustee John • Sharon Heft, Food Pantry Volunteer of the Year Lynch; Supervisor O’Grady; Kathy Passafiume, Youth and Family Services Coordinator; Township Trustee Antonio Rubino; Sue Benson, Senior Services Assistant; and Township Clerk Cindy Murray.