Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
President Dominick, Town Board organize drive to help families impacted by Friday’s fire More than 14 families were forced to leave their homes when the 18-unit apartment building where they lived was destroyed by a massive fire on Friday Dec. 1, 2023. The Cicero Fire Department fought the blaze which lasted more than five hours,…
Citizens Against Government Waste Names Sen. Dick Durbin November 2023 Porker of the Month Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named on Thursday Nov. 16, 2023 U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) its November 2023 Porker of the Month for trying to take away everyone’s credit card benefits. In 2010, Sen. Durbin led the effort to pass…
Sheriff Dart and Friends of the Chicago River Join Forces to Clean-Up the Ford Heights Community and River The Cook County Sheriff’s Office co-hosted a volunteer community clean-up of the Deer Creek River in Ford Heights Village Thursday, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Friday Nov. 10, 2023. Approximately 30 volunteers from the Sheriff’s…
Read More “Sheriff Dart and Friends of the Chicago River Join Forces to” »
Pappas: School districts hiked property taxes on Cook County homes, businesses An analysis of Cook County’s 1.8 million property tax bills for 2022 shows that school districts are chiefly responsible for hefty tax bills that are due Dec. 1, according to Treasurer Maria Pappas. The median residential tax bill in the north and northwest…
Read More “Pappas: School districts hiked property taxes on Cook County homes, businesses ” »
The Maine massacre & gun control, & the election of Rep. Johnson as House Speaker Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist Ray Hanania discuss the massacre of 18 people by a gunman in Maine this past week and the politicization of “gun control” and the failure to impose harsh penalties for killers of all sorts….
Read More “The Maine massacre & gun control, & the election of Rep. Johnson as House Speaker” »
Flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, walk-in clinics Orland Township residents can now receive their seasonal flu shots and pneumonia vaccines at the Township offices on select Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. The clinics are walk-in, with no appointment necessary, and are open to anyone 3 years of age or older. Additionally, a drive-thru Saturday clinic…
Read More “Flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, walk-in clinics” »
The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming! The weather might be crisp and lovely right now, but Chicago’s fierce winter winds and snow are on their way. Before it gets colder, take this time to check your furnace and any other appliances that may have been damaged in the June 29 – July…
Read More “The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming!” »
Pappas: Second Installment 2022 tax bills are now online, two weeks before they are mailed Cook County property owners who don’t want to wait until their property tax bills arrive in the mail may now view, download and pay their Second Installment bill for the 2022 Tax Year online at cookcountytreasurer.com, Treasurer Maria Pappas announced…
Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office Real Republican Gary Grasso responds to Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s vicious political lies and mischaracterizations. Pekau made his political attacks in his taxpayer funded position as Mayor of Orland Park, something Pekau does quite often. By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith…
Read More “Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office” »
Spyropoulos seeking election as Cook County Clerk For the past 13 years, you’ve known Mariyana Spyropoulos as a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. But she began her career as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney before moving to private practice. There, she saw firsthand how vital it is for our courts to be…
Read More “Spyropoulos seeking election as Cook County Clerk” »
Ouster of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy focus of political Video podcast Two Guys on Politics weekly video podcast features analysis from former Congressman Bill Lipinski and award winning political columnist Ray Hanania Two Guys on Politics weekly video podcast features analyses from former Congressman Bill Lipinski and award winning political columnist Ray Hanania Chicago —…
Read More “Ouster of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy focus of political Video podcast” »
Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need By Ray Hanania Last week, I wrote about how Fritz Kaegi artificially increased assessments on properties across Cook County in order to protect business property owners who are big donors with political clout. Kaegi knows voters have no lobbyists and are easily forgotten in…
Read More “Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need” »
Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund By Maria Pappas “Your Property Taxes” column with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Helping taxpayers obtain refunds for property tax overpayments is one of the most rewarding parts of my job as Cook County Treasurer. My office recently helped a south suburban resident receive…
Read More “Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund” »
Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses By Ray Hanania Last year, a report was issued that showed that a major tax burden would slam commercial properties in Cook County. Cook County Asessor Fritz Kaegi reassessed properties in 2021 claiming it would ease the burden on homeowners. But in fact, it has…
Read More “Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses” »
Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging all eligible residents to apply for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help them pay high utility bills. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024. “Families should not be forced to choose…
Read More “Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program” »
Orland Firefighters host commemoration to remember victims of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks The Orland Fire Protection District hosted its 22nd annual commemoration to honor and remember the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001 during a ceremony at the Fire District The Orland Fire Protection District held a memorial…
Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels Nine hotels in the 19th District are set to receive more than $700,000 in Back to Business grants, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Our hospitality industry helps generate revenue and contribute to the economic and social development of our communities,”…
Read More “Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels” »
Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade Cicero, IL — More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the celebration of Mexican Independence and El Grito this weekend in the Town of Cicero. The annual Cicero celebration, which begins Thursday, Sept. 14, will feature an array of popular Hispanic entertainment, a wide range of…
Read More “Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade” »