
Peggy Zabicki
Seeking answer to loose dog dilemma
By Peggy Zabicki
Your correspondent in West Lawn
3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327
Happy May 20, dear readers. Today is National Rescue Dog Day. We are to recognize all the benefits of rescuing a dog and allowing it to adopt you into their lovable life.
There are certainly a lot of dogs in our neighborhood that need rescuing. Every single day in West Lawn, there are runaway dogs reported. Every time I drive through our neighborhood, I see loose dogs running around.
I’ve reported on this problem so many times. I know that many of you have called 311 and reported on loose dog sightings. Why are so many Southwest Side dog owners so irresponsible? I wish I had an answer. I wish there were a solution.

Peggy Zabicki
In addition to loose dogs, I continue to see loose chickens on Central Park Avenue. Seems appropriate that May 20 is also National Dance Like a Chicken Day. I will observe this holiday. Wine or beer may be involved. If you see me running loose outside, dancing like a chicken, you do not have to call 311.
Speaking of law and order, the next CAPS meeting for Beats 813 and 833 will take place on Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St.
The Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, is now open and serving lunch to all seniors on the Southwest Side. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. They also have two exercise classes per day at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The exercise equipment room is closed. My hubby used to run on the treadmills and use the bikes and other equipment. Sadly, it’s been two years since the equipment room was open. There used to be lots of seniors using the equipment and just hanging out socializing. Hopefully, this will take place once again.
In the meantime, the center is hosting a pizza party on Tuesday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. Drop by or call (312) 747-0440 to RSVP.
The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., will present a money basics workshop at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 23. This program for adults will provide information on credit and debit, money management and personal finance. Call the library at (312) 747-7381 to register.
On Wednesday, May 25, the library will be showing the movie Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith from 5 to 7:30 p.m. This movie is appropriate for all ages. Advance registration in person or by phone is required to attend.
On Wednesday, May 25, Hubbard High School is presenting a free outdoor art and music festival called Hubbard Palooza from 4 to 7 p.m. Their main stage. located at the school’s back parking lot at 62nd and Springfield, will have dancers, singers, bands and choirs.
There will be a public mural unveiling, art presentation, book giveaway and raffles. In addition, vendors will be selling jewelry and craft items. There will be lots of food for sale.
Even though this family fun event is located in West Lawn, a Hubbard High School student I talked to said the festival is open to the public, and all are invited.
West Lawn neighbor Christina and her daughter, Daliah, invite kids ages 5 to 13 years old to their new Pokemon Card Game Club. They meet every Saturday from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at the Hurley School playground, 3849 W. 69th Place. Bring your own Pokemon cards to trade or play games or just to chat.
Thank you for your calls this week. Thank you, Mariah, for your nice text message. It was nice to chat with you. Good luck with school!
Local News

Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars will miss three big guns during World Cup qualifying
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Having world-class players on your team is a blessing. But during times like these, it can also be a curse. World-class players help NWSL teams win games. They also miss chunks of time during the season because of their commitments to playing in international competitions. For much of July, the…

Area Sports Roundup: Lightning strikes at Shepard
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer There was a lot of rain and a little bit of thunder at the Illinois Lightning Track and Field Club’s open track meet, which was held at Shepard on June 25. The meet was open to everyone, from children as young as 4 (one 3-year-old also participated) to adults. More…

Mayoral race comes to Archer
Neighbors cheer as Lopez slams Lightfoot on crime By Tim Hadac Southwest Side civic and business leaders last Saturday got an early glimpse of the 2023 mayoral race, as 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez made a campaign stop on Archer Avenue. Lopez was the guest of honor at a “meet and greet” held at the…

Early voting now open
Several Southwest Side sites available By Tim Hadac Although the next primary election is set for Tuesday, June 28, early voting has started. Voters may cast ballots at the Chicago Board of Elections’ “supersite” at 191 N. Clark. It is open now until election day, and its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6…

Bar Assoc. offers guidance on judge races
From staff reports For voters seeking guidance relating to the handful of judicial races on the ballot this month, the Chicago Bar Association now offers its “Judge Smart Pocket Guide” in English, Spanish and Polish. All versions are available at chicagobar.org/chicagobar/votejudges. The CBA provides judicial evaluations for candidates seeking to become a judge in Cook County,…

They have her back
Two days before Christmas 2021, Chicago Police Officer Jose “Joey” Huerta, a Garfield Ridge resident, died of COVID-19 complications. Months later, his daughter, Ariel, graduated from Kinzie School. In a show of solidarity, 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares (left), herself a Garfield Ridge resident, and several dozen police officers showed up at the school to…

Niego Real Estate salutes America again
Popular flag program underway By Tim Hadac Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents who want to decorate their blocks in red, white and blue this Independence Day are encouraged to contact Niego Real Estate and reserve a supply of U.S. flags at no charge. The popular program to promote patriotism and community pride is now in…

Villanueva hails new ‘mental health days’ law
From staff reports State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-11th) recently declared victory as Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a bill that allows teachers to take mental health days. “Our teachers’ service to our students is ongoing, both inside and outside the classroom,” Villanueva said. “Now that our society has recognized the importance of mental health…

No ammo for revoked cardholders, Dart says
Wants legal loophole closed From staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart recently urged lawmakers to close a loophole he said allows thousands of individuals with revoked gun permits to still buy ammunition. “A gun is only dangerous if it is loaded,” Dart said. “Right now, there are thousands of individuals in Cook County…

Offer rebates on new security devices
From staff reports City officials and others this week launched the Home and Business Protection Program, designed to protect people and property from crime. Through the program, anyone who lives in the city of Chicago, operates a business in the city, or owns or leases a vehicle registered to a primary address within the city…
Neighbors

CAPITOL RECAP: Pritzker to call special session after Roe v. Wade overturned
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker will call a special session of the General Assembly in the coming weeks to focus on legislation to strengthen women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health services in Illinois. Pritzker made that announcement Friday, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court released an opinion overturning…

6 Republicans vie to unseat Pritzker
By PETER HANCOCK & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Republican voters in Illinois will choose from six candidates to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in the upcoming June 28 primary. The field includes a conservative farmer and state lawmakers who is the recent polling frontrunner, the mayor of Illinois’ second largest…

Candidate interview: Alexi Giannoulias looking to reclaim statewide office
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] Illinois voters might know Alexi Giannoulias as the state’s treasurer from 2007 to 2011, or they might know him as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate who lost to Republican Mark Kirk in 2010. He’s now looking to get back into public life as he runs for secretary…

Pritzker to call special session on reproductive rights
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker will call a special session of the General Assembly in the coming weeks to focus on legislation to strengthen women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health services in Illinois. Pritzker made that announcement Friday, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court released…

Candidate interview: Anna Valencia running for secretary of state
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] This story is part of Capitol News Illinois’ coverage of the race for secretary of state ahead of the Tuesday, June 28 primary. We’re reaching out to the candidates this week to discuss their policy positions and plans for the office should they be elected. Chicago City Clerk…

Republicans see opening in secretary of state race
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – For the first time in nearly a quarter century, there is an open race for the office of Illinois secretary of state as incumbent Democrat Jesse White prepares to retire, and Republicans hope that will give them an opportunity to pick up a statewide elected office.…

Candidate interview: Secretary of state hopeful David Moore
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] This story is part of Capitol News Illinois’ coverage of the race for secretary of state ahead of the Tuesday, June 28 primary. We’re reaching out to all of the candidates this week to discuss their policy positions and plans for the office should they be elected. Chicago…

Tom Cullerton sentenced to 1 year in prison for embezzlement
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A federal judge in Chicago handed down a one-year prison sentence Tuesday for a former state senator who once chaired the Senate Labor Committee. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of embezzlement for receiving salary and benefits from…

CAPITOL RECAP: State Supreme Court again declines to rule on FOID Act
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – In a 4-3 decision with a blistering dissent from the Republican minority, the Illinois Supreme Court declined to rule on a question of whether Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Act is unconstitutional. It was the second time the case of the People v. Vivian Brown came before the court and…

State audit finds billions in unemployment fraud
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A state audit released Thursday found nearly $2 billion in federal money intended to help unemployed Illinoisans during the pandemic was lost to fraudulent claims in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Employment Security blamed “insufficient and flawed federal guidance” and a lack of controls on a…