Dispute over tax bill has him steaming

Dear Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, I received my property tax bill in the mail and paid it within a couple of days. I received a letter from you dated July 15 that stated my check was "not honored by your financial institution. Because your check was not honored, you are now liable in the amount of $25 to the Cook County Treasurer under Illinois law."

I called my financial institution, and they stated that the treasurer did not try to cash the check, and they have no record of the check, and the funds are in my account to cover the check.

I called the treasurer's office. They said that they tried to clear it twice, and that they will not try again. I advised this person that my bank would not lie to me. This person had the attitude that I was guilty, and I was wasting his time. He was arrogant.

At the end of the conversation, I told him I will not pay the $25. He told me that the treasurer would put a lien on my house. I had a couple of words for him, and they were not "love you." He told me to have a nice day and hung up on me.

I called my financial institution again, and stopped payment on the check. You can also pay taxes through Chase Bank (but) they couldn't help me because I didn't have the tax coupon.

I went online and paid my taxes. I was charged a "nonrefundable processing fee" of $53.46. I went to Harris and got a cashier's check for $25.

Do the math. Where is my canceled check, Maria? How many other taxpaying citizens have experienced this? Why did I have to pay a $25 fine before the property taxes were even due?

Michael Bares

Streamwood