Northwest suburban briefs

Property tax appeal seminar:

Schaumburg Township Assessor John Lawson and staff members from Cook County Assessor James Houlihan's office will host a seminar Thursday, Dec. 4, on how residential property owners can appeal their property taxes. Participants are asked to bring their tax bill and will be shown how to fill out complaint forms. If those appeals are successful, the tax reductions will take effect on the second installment of the 2008 tax bill, payable in 2009. Reservations are required by calling the township assessor's office at (847) 884-0030. Be prepared to supply your tax/PIN number from your tax bill so the staff can begin to prepare your appeal before the seminar. It will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at Schaumburg Township, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates.

Financial crisis is topic of talk:

"America on the Brink of a Financial Meltdown" is the title of a faculty round-table discussion that will take place at University of Phoenix Chicago campus in Schaumburg Friday, Dec. 5. Faculty member and economic expert Rod Klein will host the discussion on what led to the need for a bailout of financial institutions, what is the ultimate cost of the meltdown, who's to blame, was enough done to avoid it what will solve it. The round-table is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by e-mailing jeffrey.schrimpl@phoenix.edu. The discussion starts at 6 p.m. at 1500 McConnor Parkway, Suite 700.