Thousands of Cook County residents will receive part of $19.5 million in property tax refunds thanks to state legislation that increased benefits for seniors and homeowners.

The higher property tax exemptions were approved last year by the General Assembly at the urging of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and county Assessor Joe Berrios, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Berrios, who lost the Democratic primary in March, was the subject of a Tribune investigation called “The Tax Divide” which exposed flaws in the property tax system that were unfair to poor homeowners.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas joins the Morning Shift to talk about the refund process and break down the numbers.

To check if you qualify for a refund, visit the Cook County treasurer’s website.

GUEST: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

LEARN MORE: 53,000 Cook County homeowners are getting a property tax refund — see if you qualify (WGN-TV 8/2/18)

$19.5M in paid property taxes heading back to Cook County homeowners by Oct. 15 (Chicago Tribune 8/3/18)