Local News

Senator Muñoz steps down
Future son-in-law has clear path to succeed him By Tim Hadac State Senator Antonio “Tony” Muñoz (D-1st) whose district includes all or parts of Garfield Ridge, Archer Heights, Brighton Park, McKinley Park, has suddenly withdrawn from his re-election race. No reason was offered, but in a statement he said he plans to continue “supporting the…

‘We have to protect ourselves’
Women push back against crime By Tim Hadac Years ago, a woman taking firearms training was a rare sight, at least compared to the number of men enrolled. But with spikes in crimes like carjacking, robbery, battery and more, women are increasingly found at gun ranges and in firearms classes—so much so that sessions just…

Newman praised by Muslim group
U.S. Rep. Marie Newman (D-3rd) accepts a Courage Award from Oussama Jammal of the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations at the group’s annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner. She was recently praised by local Muslim leaders for objecting to “the illegal demolition of homes and annexation of Palestinian land [by Israel]; supporting legislation defending the human rights…

MWRD honors IUOE Local 150
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos recently presented International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 President and Business Manager Jim Sweeney and Local 150 Business Agent Marty Durkan with a resolution hon- oring the IUOE on their 125th anniversary. “MWRD values the partnerships with our Labor Organizations. We are grateful for the dedication of…

Gardening time is here
By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394 It’s time to garden! My mother-in-law always told me to wait to plant the flowers ‘til after Mother’s Day. So, I think it is safe to do so. (I never can wait and put up my petunias…

Liths lead aid drive for Ukrainians
By Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 As war rages on in Ukraine, the needs of Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania have been noticed by the local Lithuanian population. As always, Nativity BVM Parish has done its part to help. Undergarments for women and children are…

Peace Walk offers glimpse into bright future
By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 The ASTRRONGU Youth Council continues to be a bright light in our neighborhood. They recently held their annual Peace Walk at West Lawn Park. ASTRRONGU means A Strong You and the letters stand for – Always Stick Together Resist Reach Out Never…

Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars catch lightning in season-opening win over Louisville
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars had not won a season-opener since 2015, and the prospects for beginning the 2022 campaign with a ‘W’ were not at their most promising. The Stars had never beaten their Game 1 opponent, Racing Louisville, a franchise that was an expansion team in 2021. Tierna Davidson,…

College Report: Moraine Valley celebrates 45 years of athletics in Finn fashion
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer Moraine Valley Community College celebrated its 45th year of offering athletics on April 30. Bill Finn has seen nearly all of them. Finn, the Cyclones’ athletic director, has spent 41 years at the college as a coach and administrator. The school opened up the Health, Fitness and Recreation Center for…

Rush accuses DOJ official of lying
Says never spoke with Laquan McDonald’s mother By Tim Hadac U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) essentially accused the Biden Administration of lying this month, in the wake an announcement that the U.S. Department of Justice would not prosecute the police officer convicted of murdering Laquan McDonald. The congressman was reacting to U.S. Attorney for…

May is bursting with things to do
By Laura Ortega Your correspondent in Greater Ashburn 4214 W. 82nd Place • (773) 627-6679 First, I want to wish a most special birthday to my son, Ivan, who will be an official teenager on May 2. I will have three teens under one roof. Oy vey! Second, I want to congratulate my daughter, Lucia,…

Lions Club offers eyeglass vouchers
Will be at Archer Heights Library By Tim Hadac People of limited means who need eyeglasses but have trouble affording them are encouraged to be at the Archer Heights Branch Library, 5055 S. Archer, from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4–where a Lions Club International volunteer will be handing out vouchers worth $200 for…

Stars and Stripes 5K run returns
Will honor fallen CPD commander By Tim Hadac Hundreds of men, women and children will run, jog, walk or roll through the streets of western Garfield Ridge in about nine weeks, in part to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by a Chicago Police commander. The Stars and Stripes 5K Run will be held Saturday, July 2…
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Former lawmaker sentenced in bribery scheme
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo was sentenced this week to nearly five years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme involving a state senator and one of Arroyo’s private lobbying clients who sought favorable legislation for the sweepstakes gambling industry. Arroyo, 67, is a…

Republican governor candidates on the issues
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Abortion, January 6, Donald Trump, Critical Race Theory and whether Joe Biden is rightfully the president of the United States were the basis of questions asked to a field of six Republican candidates for Illinois governor Tuesday. A pair of debates took place on two stages…

CAPITOL RECAP: Republican candidates debate
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – The six Republican candidates for Illinois governor faced off Tuesday night in Chicago, albeit on two separate debate stages, hours after a shooting at a Texas elementary school that dominated a large portion of the debates. A scheduling conflict between two TV networks – WGN and NBC 5 –…

ANALYSIS: Illinois’ official U.S. census numbers have not changed
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that he is asking President Joe Biden and the federal government to increase Illinois’ share of federal funding to reflect the results of a recent Census Bureau study showing the state was very likely undercounted in the 2020 census. The news…

GOP debate: Candidates address rising crime, Texas school shooting
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The six Republican candidates for Illinois governor faced off Tuesday night in Chicago, albeit on two separate debate stages, hours after a shooting at a Texas elementary school that dominated a large portion of the debates. A scheduling conflict between two TV networks – WGN and…

GOP Floor Leader Batinick ready to ‘pass the baton’
By GRACE KINNICUTT Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Republican Floor Leader Mark Batinick, a self-described “policy guy,” came to Springfield with the goal of pushing good policy. A father of five who resides in Plainfield with his wife, Batinick said after eight years in the General Assembly, it was either time to…

Longtime lawmaker reflects on time in General Assembly, calls it ‘honor of lifetime’
By GRACE KINNICUTT Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – House Majority Leader Greg Harris, the number two Democrat in the Illinois House of Representatives, never imagined landing the role of state representative – or that he would leave office feeling that he has been successful at it. The first openly LGTBQ leader in Illinois History,…