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A Lyons Township High School student suffered severe injuries after a May 1 beating near this exit. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

LTHS beating victim remains hospitalized as details emerge

By Steve Metsch The Lyons Township High School student who suffered “major head trauma” in a fight outside the north campus three weeks ago remains hospitalized, a source said last week. The youth – whose name, age, town and year in school have not been released – was attacked by at least three other youths…

Paul Klimek shakes hands with Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott after he was sworn in as police chief during the May 24 city council meeting. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Klimek promoted to police chief in Countryside

By Steve Metsch That didn’t take long. Just two weeks after he was named acting police chief, Paul Klimek was officially named police chief by a unanimous vote of the Countryside City Council on May 24. Klimek, 42, had been with the department since 2004 and replaces Joe Ford, who retired earlier this month after…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau scowls while listening to an audio recording of an attacking robocall during the State of the Village address on May 24. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Despite attacks, Pekau says he will run again in 2025

By Jeff Vorva Usually, when mayors get up and give their yearly status reports of their communities, there is a lot of happy-happy-joy-joy talk. Even some of the negatives get glossed over with optimism for change. But when Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau held the 2023 version of the State of the Village address on…

The Palos Heights Beautification Committee hosted an Adopt-A-Pot flower planting day on May 20 in the parking lot of the Palos Heights Swimming Pool, 7607 W. College Drive. (Photos by Denise Hyker)

Adopt-A-Pot program brightens up Palos Heights

By Kelly White The Palos Heights Beautification Committee works hard to do just what its name entails, keep the city beautiful. To provide a spark of greenery and a pop of color outside of local businesses, parks and municipal buildings, the committee hosted an Adopt-A-Pot flower planting day on May 20 in the parking lot…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is in favor of building a new school on the Fernway Elementary School property in his town. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Despite concerns from Orland Hills mayor, Orland Park on board with new Fernway School

By Jeff Vorva Village of Orland Park officials are giving thumbs-up to a plan to build a new school on the property of existing Fernway Park Elementary School. Fernway is located at 16600 S. 88th Avenue and is a part of the Kirby School District 140 group of schools, but is the only one in…

reporter ridgefest cancelled 2023

Chicago Ridge cancels RidgeFest over safety concerns

By Dermot Connolly RidgeFest has been canceled this year—and may never be the same again—mainly due to violent disturbances at recent large gatherings in Tinley Park and elsewhere. At the last regular Chicago Ridge Village Board meeting on May 16, trustees were moving full-speed ahead with preparations for RidgeFest 2023, approving contracts for the entertainment…

Two Worth offices wave from the roof of the Dunkin' Donuts at 6707 W. 111th St. (Photos by Kelly White)

Worth police hit the roof for Special Olympics Illinois

By Kelly White Worth’s Police Department takes pride in having close ties with the local community. For the 11th year, the department was happy to once again take part in Cop on a Rooftop to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Police officers mingled with residents on Friday morning at Dunkin Donuts, 6707 W. 111th St.,…

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Oak Lawn is using technology to fight crime

By Joe Boyle While there has been a recent increase in crime, Oak Lawn officials want to assure residents that these incidents are being addressed. Village Manager Tom Phelan made it clear during an Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning that they are working in tandem with the police to solve the recent wave…

A Boy Scout places a wreath at the Eternal Flame Monument as other members of Boy Scouts Troop 668 and Cub Scouts Pack 3668 look on last Sunday during the Memorial Day Observance in Worth. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Worth Memorial Day event recalls past conflicts, wars

By Joe Boyle Worth Mayor Mary Werner welcomed sunny skies on Sunday morning. However, Werner said she could not take credit for the 70-degree temperatures before the Memorial Day Observance at Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of 111th Street and Harlem Avenue. “We have had plenty of times where we had coats on,” Werner…

Albert and Rosemary Dostal are at odds with city of Countryside regarding nine acres of land they want to sell. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Couple, Countryside at odds over land sale

By Steve Metsch Albert and Rosemary Dostal want to sell their empty land in Countryside. But they are finding that a difficult task. The couple, which lives in the 9500 block of 56th Street, owns nine wooded acres south of 57th Street and west of La Grange Road. It’s been in the family for 50…

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2 wounded in Bridgeview shooting

By Bob Bong Two men were wounded May 21 after two groups started arguing in the parking lot at Menards in Bridgeview. Police said the incident started at 8:05 p.m. with an argument between two groups in the parking lot at 9140 S. Harlem Ave. Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said police are trying to figure…

McCook Mayor Terrance Carr (left) and Trustee Robert Mandekich inspect failed components in the water system that had been causing numerous leaks. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Water study finds 12 leaks in McCook system

By Steve Metsch A water study that McCook’s village board approved in March is paying dividends just two months later. Mayor Terrance Carr said that a dozen leaks have been found in the city’s water system, which had been losing 5 million gallons each month. “We found 12. We fixed all 12 of them. We…

Lynn Sapp holds a Rainbow Cone Friday morning when the ice cream store was welcomed into the Orland Park community. (Photos by Kelly White)

Orland Park welcomes Rainbow Cone

By Kelly White Rainbow Cone was welcomed in to the Orland Park community on Friday morning when a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the franchise’s newest location, 15711 Harlem Ave., Orland Park. The location is run by the duo, John Buonavolanto and Fernando Toscano. “There are a lot of South Siders right here…

Ted Nugent performs during his 2019 tour. (Photo courtesy of tednugent.com)

UPDATE: RidgeFest cancelled over flash mob safety concerns

Editor’s note: Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar said Friday that RidgeFest originally set for July 28-30 was being cancelled for this year out of safety concerns as a result of the teen rampage last weekend at a carnival in Tinley Park. It’s the second area event called off because of the threat of teen flash…

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Chicago man charged in Burbank hit-and-run

From staff reports A 21-year-old man has been charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident after being allegedly identified as the driver of a car that struck a Burbank grandfather riding his bike to work last week. Burbank police identified the man as Obidise Walker and said he was also issued several…

Amy Perras helps her students perform their improv show at Oak Lawn Community High School. (Supplied photo)

Improv comes to OLCHS

By Jeff Vazzana Teacher Amy Perras has launched a dynamic and engaging improvisational comedy program at Oak Lawn Community High School. The initiative featured talented students such as Safa Ali, Latifa Almatahen, Emily Butnariu, Austin Christensen, Bobby Davies, Nate Diaz, Emma Faucault-Miller, Juno Granados, Quinn Haywood, Collin Kalousek, Omar Marquez, and Amal Shariff. Improv comedy…

Leo Cassidy (from left), Helen Joyce, Nicole Reynolds and Principal Bill Sanderson. (Supplied photo)

EPCHS names Valedictorian, Co-Salutatorians

The 2023 valedictorian and co-salutatorians at Evergreen Park Community High School were recognized during the Illinois Principals Association South Cook region’s annual Student Recognition Breakfast on May 4 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. The event recognizes the best and the brightest students in the south suburbs. EPCHS students recognized at the event…

Teachers Erin Quinlan and Dan Solski with Shepard High School students Emily Sheppard, Isabelle Gilbert, and Jabari Harvey. They won first place at the Moraine Valley Community College Culinary Contest. (Supplied photos)

Shepard wins MVCC culinary contest

The team of students from Shepard High School won first place at the Moraine Valley Community College Culinary Contest last month. The contest included nine teams from the high schools in the MVCC attendance area. Shepard students Jabari Harvey, who was part of the winning team for the second straight year, Emily Sheppard, and Isabelle…

regional palos park doggie dash 2023

Palos Park Doggie Dash is Saturday

Palos Park is going to the dogs on Saturday, May 20. Two- and four-legged friends are invited to the Palos Park Rec Center, 8901 W. 123rd St., for 1-mile fun run/walk (with or without your dog), and 5K run/walk with or without your dog. Free parking for the event is available next to the Rec Center…

new comcast logo 2023

Comcast launches service in Palos Park

Comcast announced that it has officially launched service in Palos Park. Village residents now have or soon will have access to Comcast’s full suite of Xfinity services, including gigabit+ internet speeds. Commercial and government entities will have access to the company’s full suite of Comcast Business services. Comcast said service would roll out in phases across town through the end of spring. Comcast will notify…

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Illinois News

Capitol Cast: End of Session Review

Capitol Cast: End of Session Review

Capitol News Illinois · End of Session Review The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the highlights of the just-completed 2023 spring session.

Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session

Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session

By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A proposed cannabis reform bill won’t get further consideration until at least the General Assembly’s fall veto session after stakeholders failed to come to an agreement during the spring session’s final stretch. Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, told Capitol News…

Top Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue

Top Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue

By JERRY NOWICKI, HANNAH MEISEL & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] UPDATE: The budget was filed as a 3,409-page amendment to Senate Bill 250 late Wednesday evening. This story has been updated to reflect the latest developments as of Wednesday night. SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders announced Wednesday they’ve agreed…

Legislature approves bill to tighten restrictions on red-light camera industry

Legislature approves bill to tighten restrictions on red-light camera industry

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers in Springfield have unanimously approved a measure that would place new restrictions on the red-light and speed camera industry’s involvement in state and local elections and government. House Bill 3903 would ban automatic traffic enforcement companies or their officers from donating to candidates for public…

State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’

State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applicants for some of the new money contained in that bill. ISBE is looking for new providers to offer preschool programs in areas…

Pritzker touts new budget’s higher education spending

Pritzker touts new budget’s higher education spending

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker began a tour of the state to tout the new state budget that lawmakers passed last week, stopping at two university campuses Wednesday to highlight the spending plan’s increased funding for higher education. “With this new budget, we’re making it possible for nearly…

Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session

Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session

By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A proposed cannabis reform bill won’t get further consideration until at least the General Assembly’s fall veto session after stakeholders failed to come to an agreement during the spring session’s final stretch. Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, told Capitol News…

Native American history, ride-share regulation measures clear General Assembly

Native American history, ride-share regulation measures clear General Assembly

By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Even though it became clear this week that the General Assembly’s spring legislative session would go longer than scheduled as lawmakers finalize a budget, several measures cleared the legislature by its original Friday adjournment date. Those include a requirement that schools teach a unit of Native…

Lawmakers approve measure giving utilities control over new downstate transmission lines

Lawmakers approve measure giving utilities control over new downstate transmission lines

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — In the final hours of their spring session last week, lawmakers approved a controversial measure that would give existing power companies in downstate Illinois, notably Ameren Illinois, the first crack at installing new transmission lines. The measure applies to companies that already own or operate electric…

Budget vote brings General Assembly’s 2023 spring session to a close

Budget vote brings General Assembly’s 2023 spring session to a close

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The 2023 spring legislative session came to an end in the early hours of Saturday morning after the Illinois House gave its approval to a $50.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1. The 73-38 party-line vote came around 2:30 a.m.…

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