Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Gill-Backed Law to Reduce Home Energy Costs State Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, passed key legislation to reduce home energy bills, providing both short and long-term relief to Illinois families as they faced rising energy costs. “Families across our state are worried every time they receive their energy bills, and that should never be the case,”…
Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Sixth Annual Three Kings Celebration The Three Kings Day event hosted by Abuilar remains one of the largest celebrations of the important Mexican holiday in Chicagoland, drawing support from important leaders and elected officials, including Lyons Mayor Chris Getty and Pastor John Harrell, co-founder of Black Men United…
Read More “Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Sixth Annual Three Kings Celebration” »
React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders By Ray Hanania We will run statements as they are released by various American officials on President Donald Trump’s illegal invasion of Venezuela and his bombastic assertions of his greatness and plans to take over the Venezuelan Oil Field after his detention of Venezuelan President…
Read More “React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders” »
Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes By Maria Pappas Illinois offers senior citizens a property tax relief program that works like a loan. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program allows qualifying seniors to defer or postpone the payment of up to $7,500 a year in property…
Read More “Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes” »
Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts People have asked how to access all of my writings, radio shows, and audio/video podcasts, which include Ray Hanania on Politics, Two Guys on Politics with Bill Lipinski, The Ray Hanania Radio Show sponsored by Arab News on WNZK AM 690 Radio in Michigan, and Ray Hanania’s Syndicated column. Hanania takes…
Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh announced today that she will no longer use X, formerly known as Twitter, citing the platform’s transformation into a tool for right-wing radicalization, misinformation, and surveillance under Elon Musk’s ownership. Abughazaleh also called on other candidates to stop…
Read More “Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform” »
Republican Party in Illinois needs new grassroots, candidate says In a recent press release, U.S. Republican Senate Candidate R. Cary Capparelli argues that the Republican Party needs new leadership. Capparelli is correct, and several GOP candidates have surfaced to help redefine the Republican effort in Illinois, including in and around Chicago, such as Liz Gorman…
Read More “Republican Party in Illinois needs new grassroots, candidate says” »
Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1 According to the Department of Justice’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Illinois has 461 open missing persons cases. Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement will take a new approach to these cases, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “I teamed…
Read More “Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1” »
Cook County Pastors from the south and west sides and suburbs urge property tax reform Chicago, IL — A coalition of African American Pastors representing more than 100 churches on Chicago’s South and West sides and suburbs called for immediate reforms in the property tax system, warning recent tax hikes will force thousands to lose…
Read More “Cook County Pastors from the south and west sides and suburbs urge property tax reform” »
John Harrell hosts taxpayer review workshops for residents, urges extension of appeals period and tax hike limits 8th Legislative District candidate Harrell calls for extension of property tax payment deadline, new laws to make it more difficult for homeowners to lose their properties because of property tax debts, and to limit how much property taxes…
Orland Park Statement on Settlement of William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al., Lawsuit Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al. The Village of Orland Park has reached a settlement agreement with William Sanchez to fully…
Orland Park Police Department releases Thanksgiving enforcement numbers Orland Park Police release data in Thanksgiving holiday enforcement campaign to keep motorists and residents safe. From Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, the Orland Park Police Department participated in the statewide “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization to reduce crashes and…
Read More “Orland Park Police Department releases Thanksgiving enforcement numbers” »
Village of Orland Park Announces New Utility Billing System The Village of Orland Park is introducing a new utility billing system designed to enhance the customer experience and improve day-to-day operations. The new system will provide customers with more flexibility in managing their utility account and streamline the overall payment process. As part of this…
Read More “Village of Orland Park Announces New Utility Billing System” »
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%,…
Read More “Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes” »
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…
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…
Read More “Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit” »
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….
Read More “Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025” »
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…