Recognize Someone Who is #OPKind
Originally published December 15, 2016
Traveling around Orland Park recently, you may have seen mention of #OPKind, an initiative created by Mayor Dan McLaughlin to spark awareness of kind acts perpetuated in and around the community.
“We’re asking people to take note of others doing nice things in Orland Park and we want them to share these stories by using the hashtag #opkind,” McLaughlin said. “The campaign is picking up as we are seeing more and more posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtag #opkind.”
Outdoor marquees in front of local schools and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have been prompting residents to notice, record, and share acts of kindness throughout the village.
“We’ve seen all facets of the community getting involved – schools, families, businesses, churches, community groups,” the mayor said. “If you see someone doing something nice, take their picture and post it with the hashtag #opkind.”
Paying for another’s coffee or drive-through order, shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, reaching out to someone in need, or going above and beyond for a customer are wonderful ways to show your OP Kindness.
“Orland Park is kind” will be the theme of the mayor’s State of the Village Address set for March 9 at Carl Sandburg High School. Some of the tagged posts and photos will be shared at the address.
Free “I am OPKind” stickers are available at Village Hall, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. More information about the initiative, which will continue through the winter months, is at 708-403-6399.
Orland Park officials have again announced a rebate of a portion of eligible village residents’ 2015 property taxes that were paid to the village in 2016. Including this year’s expected $2.2 million rebate, the village will have rebated property taxes for 12 of the last 15 years. In total, Orland Park will have rebated an anticipated $38.9 million since 2003.
The deadline for submitting applications for a rebate of a portion of your village of Orland Park property taxes is fast approaching. All applications and documentation must be received by 5 p.m. Friday.
A quick and easy process, simply visit the village’s website at www.OPTaxRebate.com and follow the online instructions to submit your application online or to print a paper copy and bring the completed form to Village Hall.
You may also pick up paper applications at Village Hall,; Recreation Administration Building, 14600 Ravinia Avenue; Sportsplex, 11351 159th Street; and Orland Park Public Library, 14921 Ravinia Avenue.
During Village Hall regular business hours, staff will be able to answer questions and accept applications from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To qualify for the rebate, you must own and occupy a single-family home, townhouse, residential condominium unit, or one unit of a multi-unit apartment building. To receive your partial rebate, all application requirements must be met by the Friday deadline. Rebate amounts will be determined after receipt of all applications.
Necessary documents include your 2015 Second Installment Property Tax Bill — which you can obtain through the Cook County Treasurer’s Office at www.cookcountytreasurer.com. You will also need a copy of the front and back of your current driver’s license showing your Orland Park address. Lastly, you will need a current Orland Park water bill account number or a recent utility bill showing the Orland Park service address.
For those who do not have access to a printer or scanner, simply bring your documents to the village hall, where the staff at the village’s cashier’s office will copy your documents, free of charge. One-on-one application assistance will also be available at the Village Hall from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. More information is at www.orlandpark.org or 708-403-3086.
Cook County Board of Review accepting appeals
Orland Township is open for 2016 Cook County Board of Review Appeals. Any township resident who feels their property is overvalued may file an appeal. The appeal filing period began Dec. 5, and ends Jan. 3.
Assistance in filing your appeal can be arranged by contacting the Orland Township Assessor’s Office at 708-403-4222. Appointments fill up quickly, so phone as soon as possible. Appeal forms and instructions are available online and can be downloaded directly from the Board of Review website: www.cookcountyboardofreview.com
The filing deadline for paper appeal forms is 5 p.m. on Jan. 3; the filing deadline for online appeals is 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 3.
Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly said, “Every year we save taxpayers approximately $1,000,000. If you add up the savings from filing the appeal, and include those that may have left off an exemption they are entitled to, we can find ways to reduce their taxes and guide them on how their taxes can be reduced. Please take advantage of this service.”