Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Summit wants new water meters Loan from state EPA may provide them at no cost By Steve Metsch Summit hopes to get a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to pay for new water meters at homes and businesses throughout the village. Village officials think Summit could qualify for a loan of up to…
Villanueva named successor to Tabares in 21st Illinois House District Community activist Celina Villanueva was named Monday night as the new State Representative for the 21st Illinois House district to fill the vacancy created when State Rep. Silvana Tabares who resigned to accept appointment as alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Villanueva, a youth engagement activist…
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Cicero Fire Department receives excellent ISO rating The Town of Cicero Fire Department has received an ISO (Insurance Services Office) Public Protection Classification rating of 2, which is recognized as one of the nation’s top performance ratings. Fire Chief Dominick Buscemi said the Cicero Fire Department said the rating classification is a result of the…
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Pretend interview with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel I’ve covered six Chicago Mayors since 1976 including Mayors Richard J. Daley, Michael A. Bilandic, Jane M. Byrne, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer and Richard M. Daley. But I have yet to get Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to allow me to interview him, despite numerous requests. What’s the excuse…
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Illinois job growth surges upward by 18,100 new jobs Unemployment Rate Steady at 4.3% The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in June and nonfarm payrolls increased by +18,100 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)…
36 Illinois Nursing Homes cited by state for safety concerns Nursing Home Violations for Second Quarter 2018 The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the 2018 Second Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators is now posted on IDPH’s website. The report contains additional information about the violations. The facilities listed below were cited…
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Activists Vow to Continue Fight Against Illinois Voter Suppression Governor’s Veto Yet Another Reminder: Elections Matter Attention is now focused on the November elections and future legislation to secure elections and fight voter suppression, after Governor Rauner’s veto of SB 2273. The bill would have modified existing law to stop Illinois from sharing voter data…
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Governor vetos bill that would restrict interstate voting checks Veto of Bill No.: SB 2273. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner released the following statement in vetoing SB 2273 which would prohibit interstate checking of voter registration Today I veto Senate Bill 2273 from the 100th General Assembly, which would limit the State of Illinois to participation in…
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Rauner vetos bill to reorganize Metro East Sanitary District Gov. Rauner vetoes SB 2368. Stops manipulation of local government balance of power, in St. Louis region. Gov. Bruce Rauner today vetoed Senate Bill 2368, saying it was a politically motivated attempt to undercut the good work of the Metro East Sanitary District (MESD) Board of Commissioners….
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McCarthy Statement on Recent Police-Involved Shooting Former Chicago Police Superintendent and Candidate for Mayor of Chicago Garry McCarthy issued this statement on rising violence in the City of Chicago: “These kinds of shooting incidents are a tragedy. As a city, we all lose when they occur. I offer my condolence to the victim’s family. At…
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Cicero hosts Day of Prayer to fight street gangs This is the 7th year of what has become an annual summer tradition for this “Day of Prayer in Cicero” which has helped bring the community together and succeed in overcoming the violence of street gangs. Local church leaders and community members joined with the Town…
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Pfleger publicity stunts do nothing to stop violence Father Pfleger organized a protest of community residents and activists to block traffic on the Dan Ryan Expressway recently to protest increasing gang violence. But are the protests good for the community or his own personal interests. What he should be doing is helping residents to stand…
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Term limits undermine the rights of voters to choose The push to impose term limits isn’t being done by the voters or the public. It’s being led by political candidates who just can’t seem to take control of government because they lack the support of the majority of voters. Term limits are wrong because it…
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Lyons Ditches Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission For McCook Water Service By Steve Metsch In a move aimed at cutting costs, Lyons is switching its water allegiance to McCook. Lyons had been part of the Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission to McCook for decades, but rate increases persuaded Lyons to act. The move has been approved by…
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Lyons finds new water source Ditches BNRWC, teams up with neighbor McCook By Steve Metsch In a move aimed at cutting costs, Lyons is switching its water allegiance to McCook. Lyons had been part of the Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission to McCook for decades, but rate increases persuaded Lyons to act. The move has been…
Lyons adds police vehicles Two former squad cars are being sold By Steve Metsch Lyons will be selling two former police vehicles online after replacing them with two new vehicles. They will be sold at www.obenaufauctionsonline.com, Mayor Christopher Getty said. A 2009 Ford Crown Victoria and a 2013 Ford Explorer are currently for sale. “We’re…
Cicero President recognized for fight against street gangs Town President Larry Dominick was honored Wednesday (June 20, 2018) by the Illinois Crime Commission and the Police Athletic League for his support of athletic and youth programs in the Town of Cicero that give young people alternatives to street gang involvement. Since 2005, Cicero programs have helped…
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Oak Lawn Library offers summer programs LEAP: Lunch, Explore and Play Many kids rely on meals they receive from school during the academic year, but they lose that reliable source of food during the summer months. That’s why the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave, is offering LEAP: Lunch, Explore and Play—to nourish…