Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Twice each year, my office mails out about 1.8 million tax bills to Cook County property owners. Most people glance only at the amount due—but your bill is much more than a dollar figure. It’s a detailed breakdown of how your…
Orland Township to offer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program Orland Township is proud to introduce the launch of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, an initiative designed to prepare residents to support themselves and their neighbors in times of emergency, Township officials said Tuesday. By educating community members on disaster preparedness and response,…
Read More “Orland Township to offer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program” »
Pritzker, Welch and regional leaders praise John Harrell and Black Men United for affordable housing project Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch,” and legislative leaders and local mayors praised a projected to convert a building to low-income housing in Maywood by Rev. John Harrell and Black Men United. CLICK HERE to view a…
Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar honors veterans at first of monthly VetConnect Workshops at district office On Tuesday, August 26th, Commissioner Aguilar hosted the first of a monthly workshop for veteran support services at his district office. The event connected veterans with multiple agencies and services, bringing these resources directly to 16th District veterans and…
Commissioner Aguilar Gives Update on His Work to Support Victims of July Floods in Cook County’s 16th District Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar has requested Governor Pritzker to issue a Disaster Proclamation and will continue to propose legislation to support those affected by floods After the severe storms and subsequent flooding that hit multiple 16th…
Twin Brothers from Orland Park’s Troop 318 Achieve Scouting’s Highest Honor: Eagle Scout Troop 318 of Orland Park, Illinois, is proud to announce that twin brothers Adel and Omar Nofal have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in the Scouting America. They become the 224th and 225th Eagle Scouts in the troop’s…
United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago Creates New Section to Prosecute Criminal Healthcare Fraud Violations Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today announced publicly the creation of a new section within the Office’s Criminal Division dedicated to the prosecution of healthcare fraud, which is among the Department of Justice’s…
Village of Orland Park Receives Clean Audit Opinion for Fiscal Year 2024 Audit Completed on Time for First Time in Three Years By Ray Hanania After former Mayor Keith Pekau attempted to politicize the Village of Orland Park’s financial spending and his growing debt by intentionally withholding the filing of financial audits in 2022 and…
Read More “Village of Orland Park Receives Clean Audit Opinion for Fiscal Year 2024” »
Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against former mayor Keith Pekau, ordering him to immediately remove his publication of the Village’s confidential information he received access to while in office, and…
Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy Seven-Week Program Offers Insight into Village Operations The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Orland Park Citizens Academy, a new initiative designed to provide residents and local business owners with a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at how their local government operates….
Read More “Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy” »
Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) promoted three firefighters to the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant and Battalion Chief at a special ceremony on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at the District’s Administrative office. Joined by OFPD Trustees DJ Jeffers and Bridget Tolan, Commissioners Brian O’Neill and Mohammed…
Read More “Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony” »
John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally Community, religious, and elected leaders endorse Harrell for the 8th State House District at a press conference held at Macarthur Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Monday, April 11, 2025 Chicago, IL – John Harrell formally announced his candidacy for the…
Read More “John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally” »
Orland Firefighters battle separate apartment and home fires Friday night Three residents treated for minor injuries at the scenes, and one firefighter was taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion and released. Firefighters of the Orland Fire Protection District battled two separate fires hours apart on Friday night, one at an apartment building and another…
Read More “Orland Firefighters battle separate apartment and home fires Friday night” »
Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center The Village of Orland Park is celebrating the resounding success of its 22nd annual Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, which welcomed more than 35,000 attendees over the course of the weekend. Returning to its original home at the…
Read More “Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center” »
Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh, who was elected to her position with the largest vote turnout in the April 1 elections, is off to an amazing start promoting the needs of the Orland Township community. Even though Orland Township has had a…
Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Northwestern Medicine sponsors Aug 1-3 event packed with music, food and entertainment The Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, will return to the Village Center from Aug. 1-3. “We are thrilled to bring the Taste of Orland Park back to…
Read More “Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities” »
Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt Newly elected Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge detailed the problems that former Mayor Keith Pekau left to the taxpayers of the village he controlled for the past six years including an impending financial debt of $200 million. You can read the entire…
Read More “Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt” »
Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission The Orland Fire Protection District’s Board of Fire Commissioners on Monday, July 7, 2025, administered the Oath of Office to Mohammed Jaber, 42, to fill a vacancy on the three-member board. The Fire Commission reviews and recommends issues related to the hiring of firefighters and…
Read More “Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission” »