Orland Park Residents Can Now File for Property Tax Rebate

Eligible Village of Orland Park residents may now apply for the village’s residential property tax rebate.

The Village Board approved a rebate of $2.2 million because of the Village of Orland Park’s strong financial position. Including the upcoming rebate, the village will have rebated property taxes for 11 of the last 14 years.

“We began rebating property taxes to residents 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.

In total, the Village of Orland Park will have rebated approximately $36.7 million since 2003.

“Even though the village’s portion of the property tax bill is only about seven percent of the total, the rebate does give some relief for residents,” McLaughlin said. “We’re fortunate to be able to provide the rebate utilizing the village’s Home Rule SalesTax collections, while continuing to provide a large number of valuable services and projects for village residents,” the mayor added.

“Once again, residents will have three ways to apply for the rebate. They can apply online beginning November 2 atwww.optaxrebate.com<http://www.optaxrebate.com>,” said Trustee Jim Dodge, chairman of the village’s Economic Development, Strategy and Community Engagement Committee.

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

An instructional video of the online application process will appear on the village’s cable television stations, Orland ParkComcast Channel 4 and A T & T U-Verse Channel 99 and on the village’s website at www.orlandpark.org.

On-line and paper applications are available beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 2. Paper applications will be 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, 14921 South Ravinia Avenue.

Chairman of the Finance Committee, Trustee Carole Ruzich, assisted with the implementation of a one-on-one application assistance program for residents, as an alternative to applying online or by mail.

“We were glad to be able to add the one-on-one assistance, as several residents indicated that they would appreciate that type of help with completing their applications,” stated Ruzich.

“The one-on-one assistance will ensure that all residents, with or without access to a computer or the internet, will experience a seamless application process.”

One-on-one assistance for all applicants will be available on Wednesday and Thursday, November 4 and 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, November 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursday and Friday, December 10 and 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are not required.

Additionally, village staff will be available to answer questions and accept applications at the Village Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on the first and third Mondays of the month, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Along with the required application, an eligible resident must include copies of their 2014 second installment property tax bill, front and back of their 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 on the 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.

Eligible residents may elect to receive their rebate via check, credit to a water bill account, donation to the Open Lands ofOrland Park Foundation, or direct deposit into a checking or savings account.

Eligible village residents must apply before 5 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015. Questions may be directed to the village’sTax Rebate Hotline at 708/403-3086.