Hotwired Hyundais and Kias
Hyundai and Kia have been in the spotlight in the past year for car thefts. Both companies continue to shell out budget cars that are susceptible to hotwiring, and encouraged by a new TikTok trend, the average person can easily learn how to commit grand theft auto while scrolling on social media. The trend involves stealing a car using a USB cord and other low technology methods. The victims of these thefts have often been left with cars that are completely totaled or damaged and in need of repair. However, with Kia and Hyundai parts in such high demand as a result, car shops in Chicago are becoming increasingly overwhelmed and unable to complete repairs for months as they wait for supplies. According to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart who spoke to CNBC in September, thefts were up over 800% in the fall. If you own a Kia or Hyundai vehicle from the year 2010-2021, especially models that do not use a keyfob or push-to-start ignition and instead use a mechanical key, you are vulnerable to hotwiring. Steering wheel locks, including the old fashioned ones, can help protect your car from theft.
Property tax payment extension
Homeowners will have an extra month to pay the first installment of their property tax bill after Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill last month moving the new due date to Monday, April 3. The first installment bills—which are fifty-five percent of all 2022 taxes—will be mailed out in late February or early March, and are already available at cookcountytreasurer.com. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said this month delay will “give taxpayers some breathing room after Second Installment bills were late last year.” But this delay doesn’t fix the deeper burden of rising property taxes on homeowners and tenants. According to a recent report, homeowners’ property taxes increased by $330 million from 2020 to 2021, meaning more homeowners saw their tax bills go up than commercial property owners. Latinx homeowners in fast-gentrifying communities saw some of the highest hikes in their tax bills. In late December, Pilsen residents organized a car caravan ending at the Cook County building in the Loop. Hearing residents’ concerns, 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez called for reforms, including late fee waivers and checking assessments for errors.
MLK Day mayoral forum
Nine mayoral candidates, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, have been invited to attend a candidate forum organized by the grassroots group, the People’s Response Network. The forum will be hosted on Sunday, January 15, at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2401 S. Wabash Ave., at 2:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed on ChicagoCornerTV.com. The topics of discussion will cover public housing, public schools, public health, public transportation, parks, environment and elected boards. Since November, three mayoral forums have been hosted—on the North Side. RSVP at bit.ly/PRNChiMayor
Correction, January 11, 2o23: Not all candidates have confirmed their attendance to the forum, we regret our error.