Category: Government

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes By Maria Pappas Record-high increases in property tax bills have angered many Cook County property owners. My office has released an analysis of the nearly 1.8 million tax bills. It showed that in Chicago the median tax bill jumped 16.7%,…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm

November 28, 2025November 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm Motorists asked to slow down and increase their distance from other vehicles The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and allow extra time for their Thanksgiving holiday travels and weekend trips as a winter storm moves through Northern Illinois, with…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Weather

Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit

November 27, 2025November 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit more countries and cultures represented than the Museum of Science and Industry’s Display For the 22nd year, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is celebrating the ethnic holiday traditions of nearly 100 different nationalities in the free “Christmas Trees from Around the World” exhibit…

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Taxes

Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025

November 21, 2025November 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025 Illinois Senator Mike Porfirio will join local legislators in celebrating and honoring America’s veterans at a Holiday luncheon to be held at Morton College on Dec. 12, 2025. Among those also attending will be State Sen. Javier Cervantes, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State Rep….

Events, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Rickey Hendon urges freeze on property taxes and new regulations to address unjustified dramatic hikes

November 20, 2025November 20, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Rickey Hendon urges freeze on property taxes and new regulations to address unjustified hikes Former Senate leader Hendon urges Freeze on Property taxes, and proposes reforms during a press conference held at the Cook County Building on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Watch video of press conference below Rickey Hendon, former Illinois State Senator and former…

Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes, Videos

Third-party notices tell you if a relative or anyone you know misses a tax payment

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Third-party notices tell you if a relative or anyone you know misses a tax payment By Maria Pappas Each year, thousands of property owners in Cook County are late paying their taxes, putting their homes in danger of being included in the annual state-mandated tax sale. That’s a problem we want to help you avoid. …

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting its annual Toy Drive for needy families and children. The Toy drive collections are located at all 6 of the OFPD Fire Stations and the Fire Administration Building, where toy donations can be dropped off. The OFPD Toy…

Features, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Orland Fire Protection District promotes two firefighters Thursday Nov. 6, 2025

November 8, 2025November 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District promotes two firefighters Thursday Nov. 6, 2025 OFPD, IL – Two firefighters were promoted by the Orland Fire Protection District during ceremonies administered by the Orland Fire Commission at a meeting held on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Firefighter James Schultz was promoted to the rank of Engineer, and Eric Petravich was…

Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration Mamdani’s transition opens application process to receive applicants interested in serving in the Mamdani Administration Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team launched on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 the Transition 2025 resume portal for applicants of all experience levels to help build an administration of public…

Civil Rights, Culture, elections, Government, News, Politics

Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee The Orland Fire Protection District, at its regular meeting on Oct. 28, 2025, officially welcomed the newly appointed Fire Chief, Kevin Doyle. Doyle was welcomed to his first official meeting by Board President Beth Damas Kaspar and the Fire Trustees, and he…

Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers in recent years have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These changes underscore our commitment to support veterans in Cook County and…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings’s insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in Illinois homeowners insurance. “With this legislation, we are putting fairness and accountability back into the system,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Here is what this means…

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Estimated 153,000 Federal Workers in Illinois to be impacted by government shutdown Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is committing $50 million to fund zero-interest and low-interest loans to unpaid federal workers during the government shutdown. The loans will be…

Economy, Federal, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics

Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Journalist and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh responds to the indictments against her and others in protesting against ICE arrests in Chicagoland A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted six individuals for allegedly forcibly impeding…

Civil Rights, Crime, elections, Federal, Government, immigrant, News, NewsWire, Politics

Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families

October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families State Senator Michael E. Hastings was joined at a press conference Wednesday by Senators Willie Preston, Paul Faraci, Meg Loughran Cappel, Christopher Belt, and Doris Turner to announce new legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency,…

Business, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens

October 29, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens In a heartfelt ceremony held Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Frederick T. Owens, restoring the building’s original name: Frederick T. Owens Village Hall. The…

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics

Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown

October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown FRANKFORT — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging federal lawmakers to resolve the ongoing government shutdown to prevent the cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, come Nov. 1. Nearly two million Illinois residents rely on SNAP to provide…

Baby Boomers, Economy, food, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield

October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus bill and how it could impact your electricity rates in Illinois. Consumers need to be aware of the full impact of the legislation. For more information, visit the website of the Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers, which provides updated…

Business, Energy, Environment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Taxes