I finally started to put papers together for the Long Term Owners Exemption and found that I had received in the mail and filed a form in May of this year. I also noted, in very small type, the words "Long-Time Homowner" in the right margin of the space where the name and address appears on the part of the tax form you keep. I assume this means that this exemption was figured in my taxes. You should look on your bills for this message.

I actually had a good experience with the county treasurers office in downtown Chicago yesterday. To make a long story short, the post office failed to deliver a property tax bill and I got no satisfaction from the carrier or the people at the post office. So I went to get a new copy of the bill, and at the same time, try to change the mailing address. I arrived a few minutes before 9 and found the office already open and business being done. When I asked they said they opened about 8:30 (30 minutes before the posted time). There were plenty of helpful people there; one to explain what I needed to do and two others at the work areas where I took my paperwork. Total elapsed time inside - about 15 minutes. Say what you will about the county government, the treasurers office has it together and was very helpful.