CSN 50 and Better!

Two friends of the Senior News staff are doing their part to support local cancer resource programs, and they need your help. With a few clicks of your mouse or a simple phone call, you can make a difference.

Mary Bulkley of Batavia is walking with Team Miles for Miracles in the Living Well Cancer Resource Center’s 5k Bridgewalk May 15th. Living Well offers information, support programs and other resources to people in the Fox Valley area. All services are provided to patients and their loved ones at no cost.

To support Mary’s team, visit the website at www.livingwellcrc.org and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on the Bridgewalk logo. Next, click the red box that reads “Sponsor Walker”, then enter the name Mary Bulkley. A link will appear to Mary’s donation page. Click on Mary’s name and you will be taken to the donation page. Donations can be made using Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express.

LeeAnn Atwood is participating in the Wellness Place Community Cancer Walk/Run the following day, May 16 at Harper College in Palatine. Wellness Place provides cancer-related counseling and support at no charge for individuals who have cancer, as well as their families and caregivers. LeeAnn is running in memory of her Grandma Hyzny and Grandpa Atwood, both who lost their lives to cancer.

To support LeeAnn’s effort, go to www.wellnessplacewalkrun.kintera.org and click on the link under Team Rank that says >>more. Look for Team LA in the alphabetical listing. Then click on General Team Donation and provide the information requested to make a donation.

If you’re so inclined, there is still time to register as a member of either team.

For more information on the Bridgewalk, call Living Well at 630-262-1111. To learn more about the Wellness Place event, call 847-221-2400.

Seniors still have two weeks to apply for the state’s Senior Citizen Real Estate Property Tax Deferral Program. Will County Treasurer Pat McGuire said the program lets residential property owners 65 and over defer up to 100 percent of their property taxes at six percent simple interest.

The application deadline is March 1st. To qualify, your income must be less than $50,000 per year.

“Shrinking pensions and rising costs make the deferral program more important than ever,” McGuire said. “If you’re a senior, the program might make financial sense for you. Seniors using the program last year on the average got out from under almost $3,000 in property taxes.”

More information about the program is available by calling the treasurer’s office at 815-740-4691 or on the website at www.willcountytreasurer.com. You can also visit the treasurer’s office at 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The office is closed today, Feb. 15th.

In about half an hour, county representatives can tell you whether you qualify for the program, what documents you need to provide, and help you complete your application.

Record rainfall this weekend has left portions of the city and suburbs in a state of emergency. According to one official, 90 billion gallons of rain water fell beginning Friday. A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect through this morning.

Seniors and others needing assistance related to the continued flood threat may contact the American Red Cross, which has set up several shelter locations throughout the city and suburbs over the weekend. Shelter locations include the Des Plaines Park District, 515 E. Thacker Street; St. Stevens Lutheran Church, 14700 S. Kildare Ave in Midlothian; Mount Carmel School, 1101 N. 23rd Ave. in Melrose Park; and North Park College, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. in Chicago.

Local fire departments will assist those who must evacuate. City officials have asked that residents use the non-emergency number when calling for assistance, unless a life-threatening situation exists.

Many roadways remain closed today, and drivers are reminded that running water presents a significant hazard. Do not attempt to drive through flooded streets, even if they appear passable, if running water is present. Check local newscasts before traveling today to ensure your planned route is accessible.

Gov. Rod Blago Blagojevic declared a state of emergency in Cook County yesterday. As a result, the city and many suburbs will receive assistance with emergency response efforts.

Welcome to the new CSN 50 and Better blog. Check back often for news and updates between print issues of Chicagoland’s Senior News. You can also subscribe to this blog to be notified when updates are posted.