Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use By Maria Pappas When it comes to property taxes in Cook County, a lot of people feel like they’re staring at a 1,000-piece puzzle—and someone hid the box with the picture on the cover. That’s why I want to tell you about a tool that helps you…
Hanania interviews Burt Odelson the best election and municipal attorney in America 06-27-26 Ray Hanania conducts a profile Interview of Attorney Burt Odelson interview Burton S. Odelson, a prominent Illinois attorney who has spent more than five decades specializing in municipal law, election law, school law, and local government representation. Video podcast below Burt Odelson…
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The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! Since I first stepped into my office 27 years ago, one question has repeatedly come up: “Why do my property taxes always go up?” It’s a valid concern. At the heart of the answer is something called the tax levy. Simply…
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Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Arab News columnist/writer Ray Hanania Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Ray Hanania, columnist and writer with Arab News newspaper, the leading English language newspaper in the Gulf, and the Southwest Regional Press newspaper chain on Chicago’s Southwest and West side and suburbs. Hanania and Sims discusses politics and the issue of the…
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Speaker Welch says keeping Bears Stadium in Illinois important The Illinois General Assembly, House and Senate, did not pass the key stadium bill before adjourning last week as public concern focused on proposals to pass tax breaks for the Bears organization which is extremely profitable and earned more than $600 million last year, according to…
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Illinois Takes a Major Step to Protect Homeowners By Maria Pappas Owning a home has long been the foundation of financial security for American families. It’s typically a person’s largest investment, one that represents hard work, sacrifice, and a chance to build generational wealth. That’s why the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of House Bill…
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Duckworth Grills Secretary Rubio on State Department Cuts That Undermine Diplomacy and Make Americans Less Safe Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) grilled U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Tuesday, June 2, 2026, on Donald Trump’s Congressional budget request that once again proposes deep cuts to the State Department that would gut our…
Orland Park Centennial Park Aquatic Center to Reopen Tuesday Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC) will reopen on Tuesday following a thorough review of the facility and completion of all recommended health and safety procedures. CPAC was closed late Saturday afternoon after a staff member reported being treated for Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection. A second potential…
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United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros Announces Sweeping Reforms to Internal Grand Jury Practices and Disclosures Remediation Plan Includes Most Substantial and Significant Changes in Decades Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced a series of sweeping internal reforms to the Office’s grand jury practices and disclosures that took…
Northwestern University dedicates William O. Lipinski Congressional Papers By Ray Hanania Officials of Northwestern University on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, dedicated the official placement of historic personal and official documents donated by former Congressman William O. Lipinski into the university’s Library archives on transportation. Lipinski was joined by his wife, Bonnie, his son Congressman Dan…
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Important News: WLS TV spotlights achievements of Maria Pappas, returns millions to taxpayers By Ray Hanania WLS TV recently did an extensive report that showed how Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas was refunding property tax overpayments and crediting failed deductions to tens of thousands of Cook County property tax owners. The return of the overpayments…
Treasurer Maria Pappas Honors AANHPI Heritage Month by Recognizing Community Leaders with Live Music and Dance Celebration Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by recognizing community leaders, cultural advocates and business owners whose contributions strengthen Cook County and the greater Chicagoland region. The event will…
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Hosted Reception Following Haitian Flag Raising at Daley Plaza Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted a reception Monday afternoon for Cook County’s Haitian community following the Flag Raising Ceremony in Daley Plaza. The celebration honored Haitian Heritage Month and Haitian Flag Day, observed annually on Monday, May 18, 2026. Haitian…
Hastings leads effort to expand virtual dental care To expand access to dental care, State Senator Michael E. Hastings is carrying legislation designed to ensure patients can access virtual dental care safely while maintaining strong professional standards. “Whether it is because of a disability or lack of access to transportation, people often struggle to make…
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Rainbow PUSH to Host National Forum on Voting Rights, Redistricting, and the Future of American Democracy Congressman Cleo Fields, IL House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, and national leaders to convene in Chicago following landmark Supreme Court decision As national attention intensifies around the future of voting rights and…
Orland Park Launches Emergency Management Agency The Village of Orland Park has formally replaced the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) with the Orland Park Emergency Management Agency (EMA), following Board of Trustees approval Monday night. The transition strengthens the Village’s commitment to emergency preparedness, disaster response and public safety. “Illinois communities across the state are…
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Hastings leads effort to protect Illinois clients and attorneys from private equity interference State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation that would safeguard the professional independence of attorneys and protect clients from undue influence by private equity investors, hedge funds and investor‑backed management services organizations. “This legislation is about ensuring that legal decisions in Illinois…
MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn Leads Berwyn Green Infrastructure Groundbreaking MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn joined by Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (4th District), and MWRD board colleagues and local aldermen in breaking ground on Green Infrastructure in Berwyn on May 1, 2026 On May 1, 2026, Metropolitan Water…
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