Local News

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Traffic shift coming Monday on Tri-State between 83rd Street and Mile-Long Bridge

By Bob Bong / August 14, 2022 / Comments Off on Traffic shift coming Monday on Tri-State between 83rd Street and Mile-Long Bridge

Beginning Monday, night, a traffic shift is scheduled on the northbound Central Tri-State Tollway between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and the Mile Long Bridge, including removal of the current counterflow configuration. Four lanes will remain open. Overnight August 15, on northbound I-294 between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and the Mile Long Bridge overnight lane closures will be scheduled, with traffic reduced to a single lane…

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Willow Fest 2022

By Bob Bong / August 12, 2022 /

Willow Springs Willow Fest will take place through Sunday at Willow Springs Village Center, 1 Village Circle, Willow Springs (corner of Archer Avenue and Willow Springs Road).  Hours are 4-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Special needs hours 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.  Free parking. Free shuttle service…

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Bridgeview man’s body recovered from I&M Canal

By Bob Bong / July 18, 2022 / Comments Off on Bridgeview man’s body recovered from I&M Canal

By Bob Bong A Bridgeview man’s body was recovered last week after he slipped and fell into the Illinois & Michigan Canal in Willow Springs. He was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Servando Padilla, 61, of Bridgeview. His death was ruled as an accidental drowning. Padilla was walking along the I&M…

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2 incumbents seek Dem nomination in newly drawn 6th District

By Steve Metsch / June 20, 2022 / Comments Off on 2 incumbents seek Dem nomination in newly drawn 6th District

By Steve Metsch It doesn’t happen often, but voters in the newly drawn 6th Congressional District have an unusual choice in the Democratic primary. Because of redistricting, two sitting members of Congress are going toe-to-toe for the nomination in the June 28 primary. The district covers the Midway Airport area, Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and the…

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Tri-State Tollway lane closures to begin Friday

By Bob Bong / June 7, 2022 / Comments Off on Tri-State Tollway lane closures to begin Friday

An extended lane closure on the southbound Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) is scheduled to begin later this week as part of the Illinois Tollway’s ongoing work to construct a new southbound bridge structure. The temporary lane closure is necessary to provide a safe work zone and accommodate traffic. Three lanes will…

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Electric violinist Mark Wood coming to Argo

By Carol Mcgowan / April 21, 2022 / Comments Off on Electric violinist Mark Wood coming to Argo

By Carol McGowan Legendary electric violinist Mark Wood is coming to Argo High School. He will perform in concert with the Argo and Wilkins Junior High Orchestras on May 2, at 7:30 p.m.  The concert will take place in the Portillo Performing Arts Center at the Summit school. Wood has quite the background. He was…

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‘Put me back in, Coach’ – McCarthy eager to return to law enforcement

By Steve Metsch / April 7, 2022 / Comments Off on ‘Put me back in, Coach’ – McCarthy eager to return to law enforcement

By Steve Metsch Garry McCarthy compared the blockbuster news of his return to policing to that of an athlete itching to get back on the field. “Put me back in, Coach,” the former college athlete and Chicago Police Superintendent said Thursday morning. McCarthy, 62, is six years removed from working in law enforcement. He spoke…

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Chicago’s former top cop McCarthy hired to lead Willow Springs police

By Steve Metsch / April 7, 2022 / Comments Off on Chicago’s former top cop McCarthy hired to lead Willow Springs police

By Steve Metsch Garry McCarthy, former superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, has been appointed interim police chief in Willow Springs. A news conference is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at the village hall to announce the move. McCarthy replaces James Ritz, who submitted his resignation as police chief to Village Administrator Ryan Grace on…

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No injuries in Willow Springs house fire

By Carol Mcgowan / April 1, 2022 / Comments Off on No injuries in Willow Springs house fire

By Carol McGowan Thanks to the quick work of the Willow Springs Police Department and Tri-State Fire Department, everyone was evacuated from a home that was on fire in the early morning hours of March 21. Police responded at 1:30 a.m. to a call of a possible structure fire in the 8100 block of Scenic…

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Rossberg takes over Argo football program

By Bob Bong / March 13, 2022 / Comments Off on Rossberg takes over Argo football program

By Carol McGowan Phillip Rossberg may be the new head football coach at Argo High School, but he’s been a familiar face on the sidelines and in the classroom at the school for the last seven years. He started working at the school in 2015, and along with being the new head football coach, he’s…

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The “no dogs allowed” signs will soon be removed from two parks in Countryside. Dogs must be on leashes and owners must clean up after their pets. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks

By Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the parks. While…

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Bridgeview approves auto repair shop

Moves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board followed the…

Summit Fire Chief Anthony Anderson was the first to donate blood at the fire department's blood drive. (Photos by Carol McGowan)

Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd

By Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the door. Fire…

Village, park, library, and school leaders speak at the business breakfast. (Photo by Carol McGowan)

Hodgkins toasts village businesses

By Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work within the…

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First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale

From staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at First Secure…

Richards’ A.J. Plawecki leaps into setting the ball during a match against Brother Rice at the Crusaders’ Smack Attack tournament held April 19-20. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match losing streak.…

Chippewa Elementary School second-grader, Nicholas Bass, 8, of Palos Heights, proudly showed off his artwork at the 15th annual Arts Extravaganza. (Photos by Kelly White)

SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza

By Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event which showcases…

Illinois News

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

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

By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois.  The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…

Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations

Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.  The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…

Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?

Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?

by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again.  The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…

Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge

Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge

By DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront on Wednesday afternoon, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-be-had conversations with the governor and lawmakers.  The Bears…

Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility

Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry. …

Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’

Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’

By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday.  The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…

Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts

Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations. That…

Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split

Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…

Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online

Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online

By ALEX ABBEDUTO   Capitol News Illinois  abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com  Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office. This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services.  Notaries…

Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes 1st federally recognized tribe in Illinois

Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes 1st federally recognized tribe in Illinois

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Nearly 200 years after Native Americans were forced out of Illinois, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has become the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state after a decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior last week. The move represents the first victory in the tribe’s…