Local News

Area Sports Roundup: Marist and R-B alums caught up in the draft
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer Marist and Riverside-Brookfield baseball fans were likely beaming with pride during this year’s Major League Baseball draft, which concluded July 19. Both schools had a pair of ex-players drafted. A look at who went where for the RedHawks and Bulldogs: — R-B’s Owen Murphy, who wrapped up his senior season…

Most Holy Redeemer Carnival
Although it was delayed for several weeks, Most Holy Redeemer Parish was finally able to hold its annual summer carnival at the church grounds, 9525 S. Lawndale Ave. in Evergreen Park, from Thursday, July 21, through Sunday, July 24.

Cook County 4-H Fair on Saturday
By Bob Bong Did you know that Cook County has a county fair? That’s right, the same kind of county fair we are all aware of with projects by members of the Cook County 4-H, a parade of clubs, and even a livestock judging. The Cook County Fair was moved to Toyota Park in Bridgeview…

Palos SD128 Supt. Brownlow completes Leadership Academy, named ISAL Fellow
Dr. Merryl Brownlow, superintendent of Palos Heights SD 128, has earned the unique distinction of being named an ISAL Fellow after completing the IASA School for Advanced Leadership academy, an 18-month program designed to elevate superintendent’s leadership skills and impact student achievement. Brownlow received her diploma during a graduation ceremony held June 17 at the…

Deja Brew benefit for Danny Golden
Oak Lawn’s Deja Brew Bar & Grill is selling a special burger to support CPD Officer Danny Golden, who was shot a paralyzed, anytime between July 21 and July 28. The Back the Blue burger is a 10-ounce beef patty, with maple bourbon BBQ sauce, cheddar, onion ring and thick cut bacon, along with a…

Pekau, Rossi visit paralyzed Chicago cop Golden
By Jeff Vorva Chicago police officer Danny Golden received a visit from Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and the village’s police chief, Eric Rossi, Monday afternoon. Golden is paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot in the Beverly neighborhood in Chicago while trying to break up a fight at a bar on July…

Archdiocese to hold job fair at St. Linus
The Archdiocese of Chicago announced it will hold job fairs to fill parish and school positions at three locations, including St. Linus in Oak Lawn, on Thursday, July 28. The job fairs are aimed at recruiting new and experienced teachers, early retirees and those seeking career change to fill full- and part-time teacher and principal positions,…

Gaelic Park to host Continental Youth Championships
The Chicago Gaelic Athletic Association will host the 2022 Continental Youth Championships at Gaelic Park this July 28-31. The CYC is an annual tournament that rotates cities and features hundreds of Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie games. Over 1,500 youth players representing 22 clubs from all over the United States as well as Canada will…

Hot Dog Day in Palos Park
The Village of Palos Park presents: Hot Dog Day on Thursday, July 21, from 5-7:30 p.m. on the Village Green, 8901 W. 123rd Street. Music is provided by LEGACY, playing vintage rock and soul. Come on out and enjoy fresh grilled hot dogs with friends and family! Picnic tables will be available. Hot dogs –…

Palos South assistant principal cited for work promoting safe schools
Palos South Assistant Principal Meagan Doornbos has been recognized by the Illinois Chapter National School Public Relations Association for her work promoting the efforts of the Palos South Save Promise Club. Doornbos received the Award of Excellence in the school administrator category at an awards luncheon in Bolingbrook on May 13. Her efforts have included…

Orland Fire District dedicates training center in honor of former Chief Robert Buhs
The Orland Fire Protection District, ranked as having one of the highest “save rates” in the nation, dedicated the Robert M. Buhs Education & Leadership Development Center on July 15 in honor of a former fire chief who officials said was the district’s chief architect. Orland Fire Chief Michael Schofield said the Fire District Board of Trustees, including President…

Veterans and families enjoy a banner day on Orland Park
By Jeff Vorva When former Stagg teacher Diane Gurnea looks up and sees the banner displayed on Ravinia Avenue and 143rd Street in Orland Park, she can’t help but to be proud. Her father, John Langevin, and uncle, Robert Langevin, share a banner that was recently erected. The Village of Orland Park held its Hometown…

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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Pritzker: Monkeypox disaster declaration will aid in vaccine distribution
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker issued a public health emergency declaration and declared Illinois a disaster area in response to the monkeypox virus Monday, a move his office said would help mobilize resources. The governor’s office said the proclamation will aid in moving vaccines to the most impacted…

Dems seek unity as new, former chair take no questions from media after party vote
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The vote for state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez as the Democratic Party of Illinois’ first Latino chairwoman was unanimous and uneventful Saturday morning – the drama had occurred in the days prior in a power struggle of some of the state’s most prominent Democrats. Hernandez was…

Democratic Party chair bows out in re-election bid, paving way for state Rep. Lisa Hernandez
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A contentious race for leadership of the state’s Democratic Party appears to be down to a single candidate ahead of a Saturday morning vote after the party’s current chair pulled herself from the running Friday. State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, backed by Gov. JB Pritzker and House…

State announces plan for $760 million in opioid settlement money
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced plans Friday for how the state will distribute its share of funds from a national settlement with opioid companies. Illinois expects to receive approximately $760 million over 18 years from a $26 billion national settlement with three…

Thompson Center sale finalized with Google to be building’s lone occupant
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – After years of failed efforts that spanned multiple administrations, the state has finalized the sale of the controversial James R. Thompson Center in Chicago to a company that will make it the new Chicago home of tech giant Google. Gov. JB Pritzker made the announcement during…

CAPITOL RECAP: Illinois Democrats hoping to host 2024 nominating convention
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Democrats are vying to make Chicago the host city for the Democratic National Convention in 2024. Officials for the Democratic National Committee were in Chicago on Tuesday as state leaders, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, called a news conference to tout the city as…

Illinois Dems stump for 2024 Chicago convention as party chair vote looms
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Democrats are vying to make Chicago the host city for the Democratic National Convention in 2024 while considering who will lead their party for the next four years. Meanwhile, the state’s Republican Party is hearing calls for a censure of one of its sitting congressmen.…

Illinois jobless rate falls to lowest point since start of pandemic
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois economy added 18,800 jobs during June as the unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, the lowest it has been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is down one-tenth of a percentage point from May, and down two full percentage points from June…

CAPITOL RECAP: Pritzker tests positive for COVID-19
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating at home, his office announced Tuesday, three days after he spoke at a gathering of Democrats in Tampa, Florida. Pritzker’s press office said he is experiencing mild symptoms and has received the anti-viral medication Paxlovid, a drug that…

ANALYSIS: Poll shows Pritzker’s popularity remains steady as Biden’s slides in Illinois
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] A new poll from the firm Morning Consult showed Gov. JB Pritzker’s approval rating at 51 percent among Illinois voters, or seven points “above water” in polling lingo. It’s the latest quarterly poll from the firm, and data included 14,258 registered voters polled from April 1 through June…