Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Circus elephants banned Among new laws in Illinois By Steve Metsch It wouldn’t be the new year without dozens of new laws on the books in Illinois. Here’s a look at some of the more interesting laws that take effect on Monday, Jan. 1: More people in need of transplants may benefit as drivers who…
Lyons’ early Christmas gift Residents get new and improved recycling bins By Steve Metsch Residents living in the southwest corner of Lyons found an early Christmas gift in their alleys the week of Dec. 11: Bright blue 65-gallon recycling bins. The new bins replace the old, smaller versions that had no lids. These are designed…
$400,000 to remove a football field? Old turf at Argo High needs replacing, board says By Steve Metsch It may cost Argo Community High School $400,000 just to remove the current turf on the football field, and that doesn’t include the cost of a new field. Officials said Dec. 11 that the current field, which…
Stevenson toll lanes a tough sell Public leery of IDOT proposal to add two pay lanes By Steve Metsch Judging by the reaction of folks who attended a public meeting last week about a proposal to install toll lanes on the Stevenson Expressway, the Illinois Department of Transportation has a lot of convincing to do….
DeYoung rocks Star Plaza Former Styx frontman sounds good as ever By Steve Metsch It’s been 40 years since Styx released its “The Grand Illusion” album, but you couldn’t tell that by listening to Dennis DeYoung’s voice. DeYoung, the former frontman for the popular rock band from Chicago, played the entire album and a slew…
Lyons seeks developer for vacant building Site is on Ogden Avenue near Culver’s By Steve Metsch After a couple of years of not being able to secure a tenant for a vacant new building near Culver’s on busy Ogden Avenue, the village of Lyons is seeking outside assistance with a real estate developer. There has…
Fishing tops firearms at new store Bridgeview Sports Sales to expand, offer two ranges By Steve Metsch There are more fishermen in and around Bridgeview than Jerry Van expected. Van owns Bridgeview Sports Sales, 7410 S. Harlem Ave., which opened a few months ago. At first, Van expected gun sales would make up the bulk…
Saving money, improving safety Summit to buy used fire engine from Tinley Park By Steve Metsch With a little help from his friends, Summit Fire Chief Wayne Hanson is enabling the village to save hundreds of thousands of dollars and have a newer fire engine. When Hanson put the word out that, after being denied…
Summit family’s tradition continues Free Thanksgiving feast offered on Thursday By Steve Metsch For the seventh straight year, the Ponce and Zambrano families will be working hard on Thanksgiving Day, serving up turkey dinners will all the fixings for free to the needy, elderly and lonely. The Unforgettable Journey Organization will be serving from 11…
Summit looking at fire hydrants Village wants to be proactive before trouble strikes By Steve Metsch The Summit Village Board is looking into whether it needs to replace fire hydrants around town. It’s not that the hydrants are failing or in danger of doing so, Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said. Rather, officials just want to know…
Lyons police chief gets extension Two more years, option for third for Keating By Steve Metsch Pleased with his performance since he was hired in February 2016, the Lyons Village Board has rewarded Lyons Police Chief James Keating with a contract extension. It’s a two-year contract with an option for a third year. The first…
Tax incentive keeps Atlas in Lyons Tool & die maker has been in village since 1950s By Steve Metsch A longtime Lyons business is likely staying in the village thanks to Class 6B property tax incentives approved by the village board. Trustees voted 6-0 at their Nov. 7 meeting to approve the agreement with Atlas…
Fourteen new classes at Argo High EMS training to be offered in 2018-19 school year By Steve Metsch Students at Argo Community High School will be able to take a class about becoming an emergency medical services tech, a class called “human geography,” and learn about making movies in the 2018-19 school year. Those are…
Chris Kennedy picks up endorsement Arab American Democratic Club likes former Mart head By Steve Metsch Chris Kenndy, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the race for governor, visited Worth on Nov. 8 and left with a key endorsement. Kennedy was endorsed by the Arab American Democratic Club during a dinner meeting held at…
2-25 does not add up Argo football coach resigns after three dismal seasons By Steve Metsch Todd Evans, the head coach of Argo Community High School’s varsity football team the past three seasons, will not be on the sidelines for the 2018 season. Evans, a teacher at the school, has resigned. The resignation was a…
Kennedy receives endorsement from Arab American Democratic Club Chris Kennedy received the formal endorsement of the prominent Arab American Democratic Club and the Illinois Arab American community at a fundraiser held in Worth Illinois on November 8. Kennedy said he would fight against racism and discrimination and work with Arab American and Muslim American leaders…
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Will wonders never cease? Bears favored over Packers for the first time since 2008 By Steve Metsch Yes, folks, you read that correctly. The Bears, as of this morning, are 3-point favorites over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. That’s the first time since December 2008. The Bears were giving four points that Monday night…
Willow Springs looks to future Village tries to be more friendly to potential businesses By Steve Metsch Willow Springs has been busy celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, but is looking to the future. Speaking at a recent meeting of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, village administrator Brent Woods called Willow Springs “a little…