
Peggy Zabicki
Today is indeed a special day
By Peggy Zabicki
Your correspondent in West Lawn
3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327
Happy June 3rd to all. There are so many observances and holidays that fall on June 3. There is something for everyone. June 3 is National Egg Day, World Cider Day, National Chocolate Macaroon Day, Insect Repellent Awareness Day, National Donut Day, Love Conquers All Day and Hug An Atheist Day. Celebrate responsibly.
On June 3, 1880 Alexander Graham Bell transmitted the first wireless telephone message on his newly invented photophone from the top of the Franklin School in Washington, D.C. This was just the beginning of the invention of the telephone. What would we do without our phones?

Peggy Zabicki
I get phone calls all the time from friends who read my column. I learn a lot about what’s going on in West Lawn and other nearby neighborhoods. A friend recently called me with details about a musical play taking place at Hale Park, 6258 W. 62nd St. I told her I would share the details with everyone. She highly recommends this show.
The musical Sister Act is now being performed at Hale Park on June 3, 4,10 and11 at 7:30 p.m. and June 5 at 2 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for seniors. You need to call the park at (773) 229-1032 to make a reservation. I hope to attend on June 10 or 11.
There is a yard sale taking place on June 3-5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the entire 6600 block of South Karlov. I’m always on the hunt for treasures. Maybe I’ll see you there!
The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., is hosting a Computer Basics for Adults class on Tuesday, June 7 from 4 to 5 p.m. You can learn about search engines, websites and basic computer usage. Call the library for more information at (312) 747-7381.
The library is also presenting a fun program for all ages called Let’s Play! on Monday, June 6 and Monday, June 13 from 6 to 7 p.m. All are welcome to play the Pokemon card game and a variety of board games. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call the library to register for all events.
Thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn is hosting the next Senior Citizen Club meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 10 at the Balzekas Museum Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski. If you are interested in attending, please call (773) 581-1313 by June 7 to see if there is space available and to register.
A big thank you to Alderman Quinn in helping put a stop to the noisy drag racers using the parking lot at 71st and Pulaski. Barricades have now been put up in order to block drag racers from entering the lot after business hours when their illegal activities would take place. Alderman Quinn, your time and effort are much appreciated.
Here’s some good news about a young person in our neighborhood. Michael Kozel, an Eagle Scout and 2018 graduate of St. Mary Star of the Sea School, reconstructed the wooden furniture in the outdoor play yard at St. Mary’s as part of his Eagle Scout service project.
He had to solicit materials from Home Depot and recruit a volunteer construction crew. Michael and his crew rebuilt benches, flower boxes and picnic tables. All items were weather proofed with stain. The picnic tables were painted with checkerboards for the children to play checkers and chess. The yard was spruced up, and trash was cleaned up. Thank you, Michael, for your hard work!
Thank you to my neighbor, Pat, for the nice card you sent me. Thank you to my neighbor, Gladys, for the homemade strawberry jam, and thank you, dear readers, for your kind and helpful calls.
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…