Local News
By Bob Bong The Glendora Banquet Hall closed August 17 in Chicago Ridge after longtime owners Stanley and Mary Bielanski decided to retire. “They want to enjoy life,” said their son, Stan Jr., explaining why the couple decided to close the restaurant at 10225 S. Harlem Ave. after operating it for 31 years. He and…
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By Jason Maholy Sports Editor It was a bit of an ugly win in a rarely pretty game, but Richards made enough plays to defeat Eisenhower and break into got into the win column via a 25-20 victory in the South Suburban Red opener for both teams. Bulldogs senior running back Michael Maura ran for…
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With Americans celebrating during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to remind everyone about the dangers of drinking and driving. This Labor Day weekend, local police departments and Illinois State Police are spreading the word about impaired driving dangers and will be taking part…
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By Jeff Vorva Stagg and Sandburg students made powerful statements at the first Consolidated High School District 230 meeting of the new school year. Board members honored the two schools’ powerlifting teams at the Aug. 25 meeting at Stagg High School in Palos Hills. Powerlifting is not an Illinois High School Association-sanctioned sport but the…
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By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The boss got it right. Before the Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education Meeting on Aug. 25, Stagg Principal Eric Olsen talked to a news reporter about the coming football season. Olsen said the Chargers would soon snap their 23-game losing streak dating back to Week 2 of…
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By Kelly White Chicago Ridge resident, Bruce Quintos, put his heart and soul into restoring his 1957 Chevy Bel Air. “It’s truly a labor of love and it keeps me broke,” Quintos joked. “But, in all seriousness, I am living the dream.” Quintos rebuilt the car just as he would of back when he was…
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By Kelly White The Worth Police Department prides itself with having close ties and staying active within the local community. For the 10th year, the department was happy to once again take part in Cop on a Rooftop. Police officers mingled with residents on Friday morning at Dunkin’ Donuts, 6707 W. 111th St. in Worth.…
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By Bob Bong Local police will all be hanging out at coffee shops across the south and southwest suburbs on Friday to raise money for the Illinois Special Olympics. The event, which is again being called Cop on a Rooftop after it was rebranded last year as Coffee for Champions, will take place at more…
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By Bob Bong A Chicago man has been charged after holding two employees at gunpoint Monday morning at Redline Towing in Chicago Ridge. Police said officers were dispatched at 10:50 a.m. to Redline Towing, 10103 Kitty Avenue, for an employee threatening his co-workers. Police said a man identified as Anan K. Abudayek, of Chicago, was…
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By Bob Bong Chicago Ridge’s popular summer RidgeFest will return Friday evening to Freedom Park and Mayor Chuck Tokar says it will be “the best fest ever.” The annual festival began in 1989 and only missed returning in 2020 when COVID-19 caused festivals and carnivals to be cancelled across the south suburbs out of health…
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Glendora Banquet Hall closes as owners retire
By Bob Bong The Glendora Banquet Hall closed August 17 in Chicago Ridge after longtime owners Stanley and Mary Bielanski decided to retire. “They want to enjoy life,” said their son, Stan Jr., explaining why the couple decided to close the restaurant at 10225 S. Harlem Ave. after operating it for 31 years. He and…
Cook County Board unanimously repeals county wheel tax
Cook County commissioners last week unanimously voted to eliminate the so-called wheel tax for residents in unincorporated areas. The vote on September 22 will permanently end the county’s vehicle registration fines and fees. “Anytime we have an opportunity to cut or eliminate taxes it’s always the right thing to do for Cook County taxpayers,” said…
Summit Police Department launches new crime website
By Carol McGowan The Summit Police Department has launched a digital crime fighting tool. The department is the second in Illinois to join the CrimeWatch Network. It’s a new website that offers direct access to crime and public safety-related information. Interim Police Chief Mel Ortiz announced the launch of the site, saying it gives people…
Comings & Goings: Butera closing Frankfort supermarket
By Bob Bong Elgin-based Butera Finer Foods, which reacquired its former supermarket at 20825 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort in 2018, announced the store would be closing sometime in October. The family-owned Butera chain took over the former Walt’s Food Center on Nov. 11, 2018, and christened the store a Butera Fruit Market. Walt’s had…
Soccer match triggers call for help in Bridgeview
By Bob Bong A soccer match on one of the practice fields at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview got heated Sunday evening, which led to mutual aid calls by the Bridgeview police. “Two teams got into it,” said Bridgeview Police Chief Ricardo Mancha. “Then some of their fans got into it.” To keep it from getting…
Church luncheon thanks and salutes U.S. veterans
By Joe Boyle Veterans from all walks of life can use some assistance in receiving the benefits they deserve. Carlo Melone, senior national service officer for the Disabled American Veterans, said that servicemen and women are entitled to certain benefits that were not available to them in the recent past. Melone was the guest speaker at the…
Bailey vows to repeal SAFE-T Act during stop in McCook
By Jeff Vorva Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey had several hundred “friends” eating out of the palm of his hand in McCook on Sept. 22. Bailey used the term “friends” countless times during his 15-minute speech at a rally in a huge parking lot across from the McCook Athletic and Exposition building, and they…
Casten wants conservative group de-funded
From staff reports U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th) last week called on the CEOs of Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase to commit to de-fund the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), a group Casten claimed is a “right-wing climate denialism group that actively promotes legislation requiring state and city treasurers to blacklist companies that evaluate climate…
Changes coming to Palos Heights RAB despite resistance from McGovern
By Jeff Vorva The Palos Heights City Council is expected to approve new guidelines and regulations for the Recreation Advisory Board on Tuesday and at least one alderman doesn’t like what he sees. Jerry McGovern took issue with the proposed changes. “As many times as I read through this thing, I have to turn around…
Wu’s House modifies parking proposal to Palos Park council
By Jeff Vorva Wu’s House restaurant was rejected once in a bid for extra parking space, but is trying again. The eatery, which is located at 12300 S. LaGrange Road, is seeking an extra 82 spots — many on land next to the business. Citizens expressed concerns during a Plan Commission meeting and the request…
Illinois News
Illinois Supreme Court denies former lawmakers’ claim for back pay
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a lawsuit filed by two former state legislators who sued for back pay they believed they were due for raises that they voted against while in office. Former Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, and former Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, argued…
Illinois takes Equal Rights Amendment to appeals court
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Attorneys for the state of Illinois joined their colleagues in Nevada and Virginia Wednesday in asking a federal appellate court to declare that the Equal Rights Amendment has been legally ratified as the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. “I have a daughter who intends to…
CAPITOL RECAP: State announces further unemployment debt repayment
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced a plan Tuesday, Sept. 27, to reduce a $1.8 billion Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund deficit by $450 million through an infusion of unemployment-related revenues. The trust fund is the pool of money paid into by employers to provide a social safety net for unemployed individuals. The employer’s insurance premiums…
State to reduce $1.8 billion federal unemployment debt by $450 million
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced a plan Tuesday to reduce a $1.8 billion Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund deficit by $450 million through an infusion of unemployment-related revenues. The trust fund is the pool of money paid into by employers to provide a social safety net for unemployed…
Capitol News Illinois to expand operations with $2 million McCormick Foundation grant
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – Capitol News Illinois will significantly expand its operations as it enters the fifth year of operations in 2023 because of a significant grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The McCormick Foundation has announced a three-year, $2 million investment in Capitol News Illinois, a nonprofit news organization that provides…
State Sen. Emil Jones III pleads not guilty in bribery case
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Emil Jones III pleaded not guilty in federal court Friday to three felony counts stemming from an alleged bribery scheme involving a red light camera company. Jones, 44, is a Chicago Democrat who has served in the Senate since 2009. He is also the…
Pritzker urges two lawmakers to resign
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker called on two Democratic state senators Thursday to resign their seats amid allegations of misconduct. Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, was charged in federal court earlier this week with soliciting a $5,000 bribe from a red light camera company. And Sen. Michael Hastings,…
Pritzker urges two lawmakers to resign
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker called on two Democratic state senators Thursday to resign their seats amid allegations of misconduct. Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, was charged in federal court earlier this week with soliciting a $5,000 bribe from a red light camera company. And Sen. Michael Hastings,…
Illinois Supreme Court denies former lawmakers’ claim for back pay
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a lawsuit filed by two former state legislators who sued for back pay they believed they were due for raises that they voted against while in office. Former Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, and former Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, argued…
CAPITOL RECAP: Another Democratic senator charged in bribery scheme
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Emil Jones III has been charged in federal court with three criminal counts tied to his dealings with a red light camera company. Jones, a Chicago Democrat, is the son of former Senate President Emil Jones Jr. The younger Jones has served in the Senate since 2009…
