Local News
Orland voters to decide who has power between mayor and village manager
By Jeff Vorva There is no mayoral election going on in Orland Park this year but this has the feel of mayoral elections from the recent past. Keith Pekau’s foes are coming out in full force this year, comparing him to Lori Lightfoot and Vladimir Putin, which he doesn’t appreciate, by the way. At issue?…
Palos South friends, classmates miss Jake’s laughter
By Bob Bong The halls at Palos South Middle School are not as loud as they used to be. That’s because Jake Kaminski isn’t around to make the other kids laugh. Jake died earlier this month in a skiing accident in Wisconsin. His family was trying to take advantage of the long Pulaski Day weekend…
Woman’s club, cadets highlight cheerful Palos Park meeting
By Jeff Vorva The meeting before Tuesday’s election in Palos Park was free of controversy. After a few recent meetings were packed with people and featured some strife, the March 27 village council meeting was packed but full of joy and accomplishments. Many were on hand from the Palos Park Woman’s Club, an organization that…
Chicago Ridge cops to get body cameras
By Dermot Connolly The Chicago Ridge Police Department is moving ahead with plans to purchase body cameras for officers, something that has been under consideration for a few years. Police Chief Jim Jarolimek told the Village Board at its March 21 meeting that the police department received a quote that day from Motorola to supply…
Lewandowski and Popelka battle for 3rd Ward alderman of Palos Heights
By Jeff Vorva Brent Lewandowski said he has learned a lot in four years on the Palos Heights City Council. The Third Ward alderman said he has a respect for his peers and likes the way the group has made decisions, even if there are disagreements. George Popelka begs to differ. He sees a council…
Finish line in sight
. With mayoral race close, turnout is everything By Tim Hadac With polls predicting an extremely close mayoral runoff on Tuesday, April 4, both Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson had their campaigns in high gear this week, rolling out final endorsements and exhorting voters to cast ballots. For the first time in his campaign, Johnson…
Frank Schuch, you’re the b-e-s-t
. . By Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • [email protected] So many signs of life as we pull out of this pandemic, like early-blooming daffodils after a long, harsh winter. One of those signs is the return of the annual spelling bee at Byrne Elementary School, after a two-year absence.…
Sweet surprise for police
Everyone likes cookies, especially when they’re Girl Scout cookies delivered by a sweet, smiling Scout–as illustrated by police at the Eighth District station last week. Officers, detectives and sergeants were delighted to grab one of 20 boxes of Thin Mints, S’mores, Do-si-dos, Samoas and other varieties from Charlotte Caughey of Brownie Troop 125. The young…
Egg prices drive chicken interest
Some becoming backyard farmers By Kelly White Complaints about the price of eggs have been so common in recent months, some folks who have never considered backyard farming are now thinking of buying a hen or two. To help educate people about the matter, The Feed Store, 5408 S. Harlem, is also hosting “Intro to…
Stickney wins $550,000 grant from county for roadwork
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved funding last week for transportation-related projects in Stickney and the South Side of Chicago. These projects are part of the county’s Department of Transportation and Highways. These projects are designed to boost economic development, build up regional transportation and improve the quality of life throughout Cook County. In…
Buddy returns to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital
Therapy pets have been proven to be an effective tool for lifting the spirits of hospital patients of all ages. Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital last week announced the return of the pet therapy program that had been on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Buddy, an Old English Sheep Dog, and his handler Marty Strubin…
Evergreen Park receives IDOT approval for Independence Day Parade
By Joe Boyle The Village of Evergreen Park has made it official by requesting the Illinois Department of Transportation to approve temporary street closings for the annual Independence Day Parade. The parade will be held Friday, June 30. The annual event will require the temporary closure of all lanes along 95th Street, from Pulaski Road…
Worth mayor looks forward to spring events
By Joe Boyle Spring arrived on Monday and Worth Mayor Mary Werner is looking forward to several activities that will be held in the southwest suburbs next month. Werner mentioned during the Worth Village Board meeting Tuesday night that the annual Spring Arts, Crafts and Vendor Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3…
Choosing sides in mayoral race
. SW Side endorsements start to emerge By Tim Hadac While neither Paul Vallas nor Brandon Johnson has campaigned on the Southwest Side to any significant degree, their supporters in this area are starting to go public. The latest endorsement to be snagged occurred last Friday, when U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th), who failed…
Crime spree in Back of the Yards
Armed bandits commit 10 robberies in less than two hours By Tim Hadac A burst of armed robberies in the Back of the Yards area has prompted police to issue a community warning. The 10 stickups occurred in less than two hours on Wednesday, March 15. Crime scenes include: 4600 block of South Albany at…
Star student earns college scholarship
St. Laurence High School senior Priscilla Bonilla stands with her family, minutes after learning she has earned a four-year academic scholarship to the University of St. Francis. In college, she plans to study theology and secondary education, with a hope to return to St. Laurence one day as a teacher. A West Elsdon resident, she…
Worth Park District asks voters to support parks
Worth Park District officials will ask residents on April 4 if they are willing to pay a little more to support facilities. The district will ask voters to approve a 0.2000 percent tax rate increase. If approved, residents would pay about an additional $5 per month for every $100,000 of equalized assessed value of their…
OLCHS, Richards Contest Play advance to state finals
Both Richards High School and Oak Lawn Community High School Contest Play productions advanced to state finals March 24 and March 25 at Glenwood High School in Chatham after earning the title of Sectional Champions. OLCHS’ Mariana Salazar, Mariam Chuli, Melanie Cabrera, Jet Peleaz, Matthew Perry, Shawn Perry, Vasili Patrianakos, and Kathryn Fragapane were all…
Yarbrough and O’Grady join elected officials to recruit Election Day workers
Facing a critical shortage of election poll workers, Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough on Tuesday joined Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Maywood Library Board Director Erica Sanchez to ask suburban residents to heed the call, help their local community, and get paid to volunteer as poll workers for the upcoming April 4 Consolidated…
At Stagg, bald is beautiful for St. Baldrick’s Foundation
By Dermot Connolly Students and staff at Stagg and Sandburg high schools raised thousands of dollars for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation on St. Patrick’s Day, with many going all out and getting their heads shaved. Leah Ellis, a counselor at Stagg, has been coordinating the Palos Hills school’s participation in the annual fundraiser for the…
Illinois News
Senate votes to lift nuclear construction ban
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a measure on Thursday that would lift a 1980s-era moratorium on nuclear power plant construction. Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, was approved on a 39-13 vote. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. “The…
Former ComEd CEO sought soft landing for Madigan chief of staff who was fired for sexual harassment
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – In the weeks following then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s forced ouster of his longtime chief of staff following allegations of sexual harassment, a high-ranking Commonwealth Edison official was considering how to help the disgraced Madigan ally. Tim Mapes had served as Madigan’s chief of staff for…
Senate passes bill protecting ‘child influencers’
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that gives financial protection to children whose parents make money posting videos of them on social media. Those children are known as “influencers” because the videos, known as vlogs, are intended to generate interest in things like products…
Moon habitat named 2023’s ‘Coolest Thing Made in Illinois’
By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Rosenberg Moon Habitat was named 2023’s “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” Wednesday in a contest hosted by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. The habitat is manufactured by Ingersoll Machine Tools in Rockford, in collaboration with the Institut auf dem Rosenberg of Switzerland. At a height of…
Senate advances bill to log abuse cover-ups in state health care registry
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A measure spurred by reports of abuse at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday and will head to the House. The bill would prohibit health care workers who have been the subject of a substantiated claim of “material obstruction” of an…
‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’: Secretly recorded videos show ComEd lobbyists discussing alleged bribery scheme
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – Longtime Commonwealth Edison contract lobbyist Jay Doherty thought he was merely reminiscing and giving advice to a colleague and friend in a February 2019 meeting set up by ex-ComEd executive Fidel Marquez. But Marquez was wearing a hidden camera, having just a few weeks prior agreed…
Advocates call on regulators to reject natural gas rate increases
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – Consumer advocates, environmentalists and Chicago residents gathered in front of the Chicago offices of Peoples Gas this week to call on the Illinois Commerce Commission to reject a proposed rate increase from the gas utility. Several advocacy groups, including the Citizens Utility Board, Blacks in Green…
Secretary of state backs proposal allowing noncitizens to receive standard driver’s licenses
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House advanced a measure last week that would allow noncitizen residents who are currently eligible for a “temporary visitor driver’s license” to instead obtain a “standard” driver’s license that can be used as identification. Lawmakers created the temporary visitor driver’s license, or TVDL, in…
Native American history, repatriation measures advance in Illinois House
By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to increase recognition of indigenous history and culture, lawmakers are considering measures to repatriate Native American remains and teach Native American history in public schools. Last week, lawmakers approved both measures that seek to address past harms inflicted on the Native American community…
Indoor vaping, cat declawing could be banned under recently passed bills
By JERRY NOWICKI & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed 68 bills this week while the House had advanced 284 as of Friday morning with hundreds more to go before their adjournment for the week. It was the first in a two-week stretch of legislative deadlines for bills to…
