car weather safety kit

Winter storm could bring heavy snowfall

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Parts of Cook County could see up to 12 inches of snow over the next day as a winter storm moves across the area starting tonight. The county’s Department of Transportation and Highways is monitoring conditions and has resources on standby to keep the 1,500 lane miles the county maintains, safe for drivers.

The department advises drivers to take extra precautions when driving during winter weather – slow down and watch for snowplows. Also keep an emergency kit in each of your vehicles in case they break down or get stuck during severe weather.

A basic safety kit should include the following items:

  • Shovel
  • Windshield scraper and small broom
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Battery powered radio
  • Water
  • Snack food, including energy bars
  • Matches and small candles
  • Extra hats, socks and mittens
  • First aid kit with pocketknife
  • Necessary medications
  • Blankets or sleeping bag
  • Tow chain or rope
  • Road salt, sand or cat litter for traction
  • Jumper cables
  • Emergency flares and reflectors
  • Fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention
  • Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter

Kit tips:

  • Reverse batteries in flashlights to avoid accidentally switching them on and running down the battery.
  • Store items in the passenger compartment in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut.

Local News

This family was one of many that attended an Iftar dinner at Simmons Middle School in Oak Lawn. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

SD122 celebrates end of Ramadan at Simmons Middle School

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Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam As Ramadan was drawing to a close for Muslims worldwide, District 122’s Superintendent Joseph Matise, Oak Lawn Community High School’s Muslim Students Association club, and the district’s Parents Committee came together to create history. They hosted the first-ever Iftar dinner at Simmons Middle School on April 8, a significant event…

Theresa Marketti, Green Committee member of the Orland Park Public Library, is happy to announce the launch of the library's first-ever Candy Bar Recycling Program. Candy wrappers can be dropped off at the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. (Supplied photo)

Orland Park Library collecting candy wrappers

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Spread the loveBy Kelly White Candy has taken on a whole new life at one local library. The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, is happy to announce the launch of its very first Trash or Treasure candy wrapper recycling campaign. The Trash or Treasure program helps reduce the waste that…

Andre Showers’ fiancée Destiny pins the police badge on his uniform at last week’s Hickory Hills City Council meeting. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

Hickory Hills adds new police officer

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Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Hickory Hills Police Chief Jason Bray welcomed Andre Showers as the city’s newest police officer during last week’s city council meeting. Aldermen and the community at the April 11 meeting helped celebrate the induction of the Showers, 21. He’s an Army veteran and a 2023 Cook County Correctional Camp graduate…

Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted its second annual Celebration of Culture Night on March 14. (Supplied photo)

Marist celebrates cultural diversity

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Spread the loveBy Kelly White Marist High School appreciates the wide array of culture that walks its campus hallways on a daily basis. In order to celebrate, the high school, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted its second annual Celebration of Culture on March 14. During the free event, students, faculty and staff represented their…

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Palos Heights Knights of Columbus donate to GiGi’s Playhouse

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Spread the loveGrand Knight John Laskey and Past Grand Knight Brian Mellenthin of St. Theodore Guerin Knights of Columbus Council 14057 presented a check for $1,500 to GiGi’s Playhouse of Tinley Park, one of several donations to local groups resulting from the Knights of Columbus’ Fall Tootsie Roll Drive. One of the most recognizable activities…

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Worth police join task force to combat auto thefts

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Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An agreement has been reached between the villages of Worth and Thornton regarding participation in the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force. Worth Police Chief Tim Denton said the approval of the memorandum to participate in the task force is necessary. “It’s no secret that there has been an increase…

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Obituaries April 18, 2024

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Spread the loveJAMES W. CZAJKOWSKI James W. Czajkowski formerly of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away April 4. He was the loving son of the late Walter and the late Irene (nee Gryska) Czajkowski; dearest brother of Robert J. Czajkowski and Linda (Michael) Brice; beloved uncle of Marlise Garcia, Jennifer Williams, Robert David Czajkowski, Kristin…

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Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound April 17, 2024

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Mary Stanek

A simple idea for Earth Day

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Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 517-7796 . Moving right along through April, as the days get longer and nicer, time will start to go by faster. We have Earth Day on April 22 and the start of Passover at sunset.…

Kathy Headley

Bingo at St. Clare was something to yell about

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Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Recently I mentioned a bingo fundraiser the Augustinian Young Adults of St. Rita of Cascia Parish were holding. This was their first attempt at a bingo and they put on a really nice event. Held…

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Capitol Briefs: Expansion of postpartum coverage, ban on kangaroos among hundreds of measures to pass House

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Pritzker says state ‘obviously’ needs to change 2010 law that shrunk pension benefits

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Pritzker’s health insurance reforms targeting ‘utilization management’ clear House

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Lawmakers, cannabis industry calls for ban on ‘delta-8’ and other psychoactive hemp products

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As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away

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Capitol Briefs: Bill creating new early childhood agency among 244 to advance

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INVESTIGATE MIDWEST: Farmers have clamored for the Right to Repair for years. It’s getting little traction in John Deere’s home state

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By Jennifer Bamberg, Investigate Midwest Originally published April 10, 2024 During the 2023 harvest season, one of Jake Lieb’s tractors quit working. A week later, his combine stopped working, too. Both were new — and he was locked out from making any repairs himself because of software restrictions embedded in the machines.  Instead, a technician…

Capitol Briefs: Pritzker appoints first-ever Prisoner Review Board director; Chicago advances migrant funding

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Advocates renew push to tighten firearm laws aimed at protecting domestic violence victims

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Education leaders seek added state funding to help districts accommodate influx of migrants

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