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The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas After analyzing over 2 million Cook County property tax appeals filed between 2021 and 2023, researchers in my office uncovered a troubling trend: the system shifted nearly $2 billion in…
Chicago dad reunited with missing daughters By: Laura Reichel A father who was happily raising his teenage daughters faced his worst nightmare – his children were gone. Terrified for his daughters’ safety, dad called attorney Jeffery Leving for help. The Leving legal team fought for dad in and out of court and won, reuniting dad…
Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager Mayor Pro Tem announced, Downtown Orland Park development reviewed The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the appointment of George Koczwara as Orland Park Village Manager, following a special meeting held on May 12, 2025. Koczwara, who previously served as Orland Park’s Village…
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Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues We Won’t Go Back, the latest novel from award-winning author Charlene Wexler, has been published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Wexler’s Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb…
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Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024 Olivia and Liam are once again America’s most popular baby names of the year. 2024 marks the sixth consecutive year that families chose to stick with both familiar names. Also, for the sixth consecutive year, Emma took the second slot for girls, and Noah for…
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Dad who feared losing son forever, won in court, keeping son in the U.S. By Laura Reichel An Illinois father wanted to keep his little boy from being ripped from his loving home and whisked out of the country, where he feared he’d never see his son again. Desperate, he called attorney Jeffery Leving for…
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Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of Trump’s Targeted Cuts Chicago is seeing some of its lowest homicide numbers since 1962, according to the City of Chicago. In April, 20 homicides were recorded. That brings the total number of people slain to 116, which are 35 people fewer than last year. One…
Orland Fire District elects first-ever woman Board President Orland Fire Protection District Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, who recently won re-election to a six-year term as Trustee, was elected on Tuesday (May 5, 2025) to serve as the Fire District’s first-ever woman Board President. Damas Kaspar was sworn into her second term along with newly elected…
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Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin Congresswoman Robin Kelly announces her candidacy to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Kelly has one of the strongest public service records, introducing legislation to support not only her constituents in the 2nd Congressional District, but is viewed as a more popular candidate…
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The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners Nearly $2 billion in property taxes shifted onto homeowners from businesses over just three years, with a disproportionate share of the added burden falling on lower-income Black and Latino homeowners, a first-of-its-kind analysis by the Treasurer’s…
Lyons Township Democrats celebrate public support at annual fundraiser Officials of the Lyons Township Democratic Organization celebrated their growing public support at a fundraiser Thursday at the American Legion Hall in La Grange. Lyons Township Democratic Committeeman Steve Landek and Township Supervisor Christopher Getty welcomed the attendees at the event, which was themed to celebrate…
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Registration opens May 9 for Orland Fire Kids Camp and Jr Cadet Programs Registration will open on May 9 for two programs designed to help young children and teenagers learn about the role of Fire Fights. The two programs include the Kids Fire and Life Safety Camp, where children aged 8 to 12 years old…
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Cicero police arrest suspect in 2016 murder of Julio Servin The Cicero Police Department announces an arrest in connection with the 2016 murder of Julio Servin. On August 21, 2016, officers responded to a report of shots fired near 5539 W. Cermak Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered 22-year-old Julio Servin lying in the roadway with…
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Fiscal Voices candidates to take Oath of Office for Trustee for Orland Fire District Monday The Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety candidates will be sworn in to their seats as Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District at a special meeting of the Fire District on Monday, May 5, 2025, beginning at 5 PM. Taking…
Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined May Day Celebrations, May 1, 2025, and spoke at the rally in support of workers’ rights and immigration On Thursday, May 1st, Commissioner Aguilar attended the May Day celebrations in Chicago. Commissioner Aguilar spoke to attendees about…
When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…
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Hastings working to ensure vet techs have necessary training State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced a measure to ensure anyone practicing as a veterinary technician is licensed and trained from an accredited program. “When you go to see a doctor, it can bring you peace of mind to see their medical license displayed on the…
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Dad released from prison, reunited with son and freed from child support By Laura Reichel A father released from prison reached out for help in reconnecting with his fifteen-year-old son, whom he hadn’t seen in over a decade. When dad tried contacting the child’s mother, hoping to reunite with his son, he was horrified to…
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