Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person Column: Your Property Taxes with the Cook County Treasurer In 1789, Ben Franklin wrote that nothing was certain “except death and taxes.” Let’s focus on the taxes part of the great American statesman’s uncomfortable reminder: The…
Orland Park Sportsplex Annual Family Health Fair Returns March 14 Orland Park, IL (March 13, 2026) – The Village of Orland Park Recreation & Parks Department will hold its annual Family Health Fair on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Village of Orland Park Sportsplex, 11351 West 159th Street. Topics will…
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Dad Won Sole Custody, Saving His Baby from a Life of Danger By Laura Reichel A frightened father reached out for help with one urgent concern —protecting his infant son. The baby was living safely with dad, who had an informal parenting agreement with the mother, until troubling news shattered dad’s peace of mind: the…
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Bridgeview police rescue hostages early Sunday morning in domestic squabble Bridgeview, IL – The Bridgeview Police were assisted by SWAT Officers late Saturday night (March 7) in response to a report of an armed gunman in a domestic hostage situation and the “aggravated discharge” of a weapon. The report involved a domestic argument between the…
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Owner of Chicago-Area Convenience Stores Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Low-Income Food Program CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced the owner of several Chicago-area convenience stores to four years in prison for scheming to defraud a low-income food program for women and children. From 2010 to 2018, Hassan Abdellatif schemed…
Hastings calls for enhanced training for court-appointed guardians to protect Illinois children SPRINGFIELD — On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a subject matter hearing for a measure sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings emphasizing the importance of high-quality training for guardians ad litem in Illinois courts. This would better protect…
Statement from John Harrell Candidate for the 8th Illinois House District in the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary election Voters in the 8th District face many challenges and issues that need to be addressed and that are at stake in this election. One of the most important is curtailing rising property taxes. They need to…
Orland Fire District inducts firefighter trainees into fulltime positions Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) Wednesday (March 4, 2026) swore in five firefighter trainees to positions of full-time firefighters. The five inductees trained for more than a year before qualifying for the positions, and included Benjamin Bergen, Christopher Bailey, Philip McLaughlin,…
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OFPD to co-sponsor blood drive March 21 with Vitalant at Orland Library Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District will host a blood drive with Vitalant Blood Donor Center at the Orland Park Public Library, 14921 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, on March 21, 2026. The event will be held from 10 AM to…
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Important News: ICYMI: WBEZ details AIPAC dark money support for Donna Miller Dark Money making its way into Illinois elections, tied to AIPAC and Donna Miller, a recent news stories showcased by Congressional Candidate Robert Peters shows. CHICAGO (Friday, February 27, 2026)– A new WBEZ investigative report details the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s efforts…
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Important News: TV producer detained by ICE among WGN TV lay-offs A producer who got caught up in protests against ICE and was detained is among the reporters and editorial workers laid off by WGN TV this past week. The lay-offs came as a surprise to all. Many good journalist, unfortunately, lost their jobs. Rumor…
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Important News: Sun-Times disclosure slams Giannoulias over campaign donor Secretary State Alexi Giannoulis has put himself in the spotlight, not by weighing a race for higher office, even before he completes the one he was just elected to serve in. But because of the huge collections of funds he is receiving for his election campaign…
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Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation designed to provide critical relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county’s 2023 tax sale. Hastings, a chief co-sponsor on the bill, worked to pass the…
Property Tax Exemptions: How Homeowners and Seniors Can Save on Taxes Column: Your Property Taxes with the Cook County Treasurer Property taxes can be a financial burden but exemptions can reduce those costs by offering significant savings to property owners. There are three exemptions that do the most good for the most people. They are…
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Lyons Mayor Chris Getty Announces Candidacy for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District Videos of the announcement are at the end of the news story to view. Chicago, IL – Chris Getty, elected the youngest mayor in Illinois at age 26, announced Thursday that he is a candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 4th District, following U.S. Rep….
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Orland Fire Protection District celebrates firefighter promotions Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District held a promotional ceremony on Thursday, February 26, 2026 recognizing five firefighters. Congratulations are extended to Orland Fire Protection District Lieutenants Michael Pericht and Jonathan Kendra, Engineers Jeff Anderson and Jason Smith, and Director of Dispatch Operations Des Breese…
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Hastings builds on missing persons identification methods SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work by advancing legislation that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Families dealing with a missing loved one should not have to wait for answers,”…
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Leving Team Reunited Dad with His Baby Girl After Shocking Abduction By Laura Reichel A frantic dad was desperate for help after the mother of his infant daughter reportedly embarked on a campaign to cut him out of his daughter’s life forever. The Leving legal team took her to court and won. Failure was not…
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