Local News
Cheers, jeers for new City policy
City workers to get 12 weeks of paid time off By Tim Hadac Conventional wisdom might say that in a part of Chicago heavy with City workers, praise would be unanimous for last week’s announcement of an expansion of the City’s paid parental leave policy. But judging by reactions seen recently, conventional wisdom may be…
Kaegi improves online database for property owners
From staff reports The Cook County Assessor’s Office has released a new database that shows a greater level of detail for each property located in Cook County. A property owner can visit the Assessor’s website, enter their PIN, or address, and obtain information such as the estimated market value, assessed value and property characteristics. New…
Knights of Columbus do a sweet deed
Members of the Knights of Columbus from Two Holy Martyrs Parish recently hit the streets of Clearing to raise funds to aid people with intellectual disabilities–giving Tootsie Rolls to all who donated. Pausing for a photo are Art Smith, Linda McCullough, Sara Eminhizer, Jennifer Kolasa and Mike Smolek – Supplied photo
Pappas notes tax sale deadline
From staff reports The deadline for Cook County property owners to avoid the Annual Tax Sale is fast approaching, Treasurer Maria Pappas said recently. Properties with unpaid 2020 property taxes (that were due in 2021) will be offered Nov. 15 – 18. More than $226 million is due on 55,857 homes, businesses and land. Less…
Police exam coming up this month
From staff reports The Chicago Police Department will host in-person police officer entry exams at all City Colleges of Chicago locations from Oct. 20-22. Those between the ages of 21 and 39 are eligible to take the exam and begin the process of becoming a CPD officer. “Anyone who is passionate about serving others is…
GOP candidates to hold meet and greet at Brookfield Elks Club
Citizens for Matthew J. Schultz, the Republican candidate for the Illinois 21st House District, will be hosting a meet and greet for local candidates at the Brookfield Elks Club from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, October 14. Refreshments will be provided. Candidates also confirmed attending are: Kimberly Jagielski, who is running for Cook County Board of…
Evergreen Park runs for 330 yards in win over Shepard
By Jason Maholy Sports Editor Losing to T.F. South in Week 6 did not sit well with Evergreen Park’s players. The Mustangs entered that contest with the chance to gain playoff eligibility with a win, but played their worst game of the season in an 18-7 loss to the struggling Red Wolves. They were determined…
Monteclar OT goal lifts Sandburg to first league title in 11 years
By Steve Millar Correspondent Keith Monteclar saw the play developing and knew he was about set off a celebration. When Lockport had a mix-up near its own goal in overtime, Monteclar was ready to pounce. “When he messed up, all I was thinking was, ‘We won conference, we won conference,’” Monteclar said. Monteclar came up…
Pro Soccer Report: Fire closes SeatGeek season with draw; Red Stars look to break Wave
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The final pro soccer game of 2022 at SeatGeek Stadium was fairly uneventful until things heated up toward the end. New England’s Dylan Borreo broke up the scoreless tie in the 88th minute and the Chicago Fire responded four minutes later in stoppage time with a goal from 19-year-old homegrown…
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Illinois News
Immigrant advocates tout new report showing benefits of state-funded health plans
By PETER HANCOCK and JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Immigrant rights advocates on Friday continued to push for one of their top budget priorities: full funding for state-run health care programs that benefit noncitizens, regardless of their immigration status. Those programs offer health coverage for low-income individuals who would otherwise qualify for…
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
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?
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
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
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’
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
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
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
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…