Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement Orland Park, IL – From the time he was a young child, Robert Winkelman always wanted to be a firefighter. Last week, he retired after 35 years of total fire service, including 29 years with the Orland Fire Protection District, most recently as a Battalion…
Read More “Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement” »
Pappas and Consul General Anton Lungu Honor Moldovan National Flag Day in Chicago at Flag Raising and Reception Honoring Civic Leaders Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will participate in the raising of the Moldovan tricolor over Daley Plaza at 12:00 p.m. today Monday, April 27, in downtown Chicago followed by a reception in her Clark Street office….
OIG Finds the City Council Office of Financial Analysis Provided Limited Assistance to City Council in Budget Planning and Decision Making The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has completed an audit of the City Council Office of Financial Analysis (COFA). OIG’s objective was to determine whether COFA fulfilled its mission of providing…
Hastings’ missing persons identification measure passes Senate State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work ─ passing legislation in the Senate that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Law enforcement often starts, and sometimes stops, with criminal databases like CODIS for…
Read More “Hastings’ missing persons identification measure passes Senate” »
Orland Hills Police update on shots fired Sunday, 167th 88th Ave Shots were reported very early Sunday morning, around 2 AM, near the area of 88th Avenue between 167th and 171st Street in Orland Hills. It was a targeted incident. No details are being released at this time on the subject. Orland Hills Police are…
Read More “Orland Hills Police update on shots fired Sunday, 167th 88th Ave” »
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…
Read More “Orland Park Sportsplex Annual Family Health Fair Returns March 14” »
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…
Read More “Dad Won Sole Custody, Saving His Baby from a Life of Danger” »
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…
Read More “Bridgeview police rescue hostages early Sunday morning in domestic squabble” »
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,…
Read More “Orland Fire District inducts firefighter trainees into fulltime positions” »
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…
Read More “OFPD to co-sponsor blood drive March 21 with Vitalant at Orland Library” »
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…
Read More “Important News: ICYMI: WBEZ details AIPAC dark money support for Donna Miller” »
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…
Read More “Important News: TV producer detained by ICE among WGN TV lay offs” »
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…
Read More “Important News: Sun-Times disclosure slams Giannoulias over campaign donor” »
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…