Local News
Orland businessman sentenced to 18 years in tax scheme
by Meg Sullivan staff reporter The founder and executive director of the Aegis Company, a now defunct Palos Hills-based business firm accused of a $60 million nationwide tax fraud conspiracy, has been sentenced to more than 18 years in federal prison. Michael A. Vallone, 49, of Orland Park, was sentenced Oct. 3 by U.S. District…
Police make cannabis bust
Orland Park police arrested Anthony M. Saddy, 17, of Orland Park, and charged him with felony unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, police said. Police executed a search warrant at Saddy’s residence in the 9100 block of Fairway Drive in Orland Park as a result of an investigation into suspected cannabis sales, police…
Orland woman charged with animal cruelty
by Meg Sullivan staff reporter An Orland Park woman was arrested Oct. 8 and charged with animal cruelty after her malnourished and emaciated dog was seen running loose near her home, police said. Darlene L. Garr, 36, of the 18200 block of Clear Creek Crossing, was charged with one count of misdemeanor cruelty to an…
Accused drunken driver allegedly asleep at wheel
Palos Heights police arrested Adam B. Mathias, 23, of Lemont, at 3:34 a.m. Oct. 11 and charged him with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol after he was allegedly observed asleep behind the wheel, northbound in the 12800 block of South Harlem Avenue, police said. It was also discovered he…
Accused drunken driver arrested
Palos Park police arrested Kristene Marie Palermo, 19, of Bridgeview, at 2 a.m. Sept. 28 and charged her with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, improper right turn on red light and improper lane usage. She was stopped in the 13100 block of La Grange Road after police observed her weaving over the center…
Driver charged with battery
Orland Park police arrested Richard Anderson, 31, of Lockport, at 11 a.m. Sept. 20 and charged him with battery and reckless driving after he allegedly grabbed a woman’s arm through his car window and dragged her down La Grange Road near 159th Street, police said. Anderson called police just prior to his arrest to report…
Palos Park home burglarized
A residence was burglarized between 12 and 12:45 p.m. Sept. 2 in the 10000 block of 125th Street in Palos Park. There were pry marks on the front door, and the back doors were opened, according to the police report. The residents said a gray metal lock box containing coins was stolen as well as…
Sandburg pair allegedly assault classmate at home
Orland Park police arrested Erin M. Eischen, 18, of Orland Park, at 5:17 p.m. and charged her with battery, aggravated assault and criminal trespass to a residence, police said. Mohammed R. Farhoud, 17, of Orland Park, was also arrested and charged with assault and criminal trespass to a residence, police said. Both students at Sandburg…
Worth woman charged in Hickory carjacking
by William Jones From The Reporter A Worth woman is accused of using a blade to take a car from a woman outside a Hickory Hills drugstore. Kelly Skarnulis, 33, is charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking after she allegedly took the woman’s vehicle from her outside Walgreens, 95th Street and Roberts Road, at 5:05 p.m.…
Women accused of car burglaries
by William Jones From The Reporter Two Chicago women have been charged with six felony counts each of burglary to a motor vehicle after they allegedly took stereos, purses, global positioning systems and other goods from several vehicles in Oak Lawn earlier this month. Shantelle Wise, 22, and Shatar Hart, 20, were arrested the morning…
Forest preserve cops torch illicit crop
By Jason Maholy from The Reporter An estimated 3,000 pounds of pot were burned last week in Pioneer Woods near Palos Hills, and that was just what police set ablaze during what has become an annual tradition here in the southwest suburbs – the annual torching of cannabis plants found growing in the Cook County…
Neighbors
Comings & Goings
Illinois News
Pritzker set to consider signing more than 500 bills in the next three months
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed 566 bills through both chambers of the General Assembly in the recently concluded legislative session – all but one of them in May. It sets the table for an approximate three-month bill-signing season for Gov. JB Pritzker. That’s because the state’s constitution gives…
Capitol Cast: End of Session Review
Capitol News Illinois · End of Session Review The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the highlights of the just-completed 2023 spring session.
Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session
By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A proposed cannabis reform bill won’t get further consideration until at least the General Assembly’s fall veto session after stakeholders failed to come to an agreement during the spring session’s final stretch. Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, told Capitol News…
Top Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue
By JERRY NOWICKI, HANNAH MEISEL & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] UPDATE: The budget was filed as a 3,409-page amendment to Senate Bill 250 late Wednesday evening. This story has been updated to reflect the latest developments as of Wednesday night. SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders announced Wednesday they’ve agreed…
Legislature approves bill to tighten restrictions on red-light camera industry
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers in Springfield have unanimously approved a measure that would place new restrictions on the red-light and speed camera industry’s involvement in state and local elections and government. House Bill 3903 would ban automatic traffic enforcement companies or their officers from donating to candidates for public…
State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applicants for some of the new money contained in that bill. ISBE is looking for new providers to offer preschool programs in areas…
Pritzker touts new budget’s higher education spending
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker began a tour of the state to tout the new state budget that lawmakers passed last week, stopping at two university campuses Wednesday to highlight the spending plan’s increased funding for higher education. “With this new budget, we’re making it possible for nearly…
