Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Jan. 24, 2023, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request…
Justice Department Announces Charges and Arrests in Two Cases Involving Export Violation Schemes to Aid Russian Military In Two Separate Cases, Charges Filed Against Two Companies and Half a Dozen Individuals Arrested for Alleged Illegal Sale and Export of Powerful Dual-Use Technologies In separate charges unsealed today in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern…
Casten family thanks public for condolences over daughter’s untimely death The Casten family has released the following statement on Friday Oct. 7, 2022: “This past June (13, 2022), our daughter, Gwen Casten, died of a sudden cardiac arrythmia. In layman’s terms, she was fine, and then her heart stopped. “We don’t know what caused the…
Read More “Casten family thanks public for condolences over daughter’s untimely death” »
Immigration needs more than reform, it needs to be fixed By William O. Lipinski We have an anonymous problem with illegal aliens coming into our Land of the Free and home of the Brave. This is not new, it has been going on for over a decade, if not longer. Our political parties won’t or…
Read More “Immigration needs more than reform, it needs to be fixed” »
Right from the Middle: My disappointment in both Republicans and Democrats Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are bringing the country together and leaders of both parties are fanning the flames of division and anger. President Joe Biden’s recent speech in which eh attacks Republicans only helped to push the two sides apart By William…
Read More “Right from the Middle: My disappointment in both Republicans and Democrats” »
“Plan Your Escape” is the theme for the Orland Fire Protection District annual Open House Sept. 24 The Orland Fire District urges the “Plan Your Escape” message for our annual Open House which will be held onSept. 24th. The Orland Fire Protection District will host its open house on Saturday, Sept. 24 in anticipation with…
Two Guys on Politics podcast analyzes failings of Biden’s partisan speech Two Guys on Politics podcast hosts former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania took President Joe Biden to task during their weekly podcast on Sunday Sept. 4, 2022 for using his speech as a political attack against Republicans and…
Read More “Two Guys on Politics podcast analyzes failings of Biden’s partisan speech” »
Two Defendants in ‘Grandparent Scam’ Network Sentenced for RICO Conspiracy Targeting Elderly Americans Despicable scammers who targeted seniors are arrested, charged and convicted by U.S. Justice Department. The convicted scammers are Timothy Ingram aka “Bleezy,” 30, of North Hollywood, California; and Joaquin Lopez, 46, of Hollywood, Florida. The criminals were convicted of extortion and fraud,…
Court victory keeps boy close to his father When a father gets divorced, it’s usually great if his children live nearby – and that was the situation for an Illinois dad and his 10-year-old son. However, according to court documents, the mother suddenly decided to move with the boy out of state, to North Carolina….
Biden’s student tuition relief will be a tax burden on seniors By Ray Hanania President Biden announced that he will provide college tuition relief estimated to be between $300 billion and $985 billion, depending on how many people apply. Why only waive debt for students? Why not waive mortgage debt for homeowners? Why not waive…
Read More “Biden’s student tuition relief will be a tax burden on seniors” »
Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the…
Read More “Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates” »
Kelly, Foster, Newman among those voting to pass Assault Weapons Ban Act Several Illinois members of the U.S. House voted to pass H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2022, which passed by a vote of 217 to 213. They include Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Congressman Bill Foster, Congresswoman Marie Newman Rep. Kelly Votes to…
Read More “Kelly, Foster, Newman among those voting to pass Assault Weapons Ban Act” »
Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Society must demand tougher more stringent punishments for criminals who use guns in their crimes. If they shoot and injure or kill a police officer, the imprisonment should be mandatory and lengthy. Without the threat of serious consequences, criminals and murderers and street gang thugs will…
Read More “Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting” »
Congressman Casten brings home $14 million to help district on climate change, hunger, transportation and domestic abuse survivor 6th District Congressman Sean Casten secures over $14 million in local funding to combat climate crisis, address hunger, improve transportation, protect domestic abuse survivors. Being able to work with other officials and leaders shows how benefits can…
Rep. Casten Votes to Protect Marriage Equality Amid Right-Wing Threats U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) voted Tuesday (July 19, 2022) to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which he co-sponsored, to enshrine marriage equality into federal law by officially repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a defunct and discriminatory statute excluding same-sex couples from…
Read More “Rep. Casten Votes to Protect Marriage Equality Amid Right-Wing Threats ” »
Differences in how people react to homicides in Chicago vs a wealthy suburb The recent mass shooting in Highland Park only reminds us how different gun violence and homicides are viewed, discussed and perceived in the public and mainstream news media when compared to the greater and everyday violence that consumes Chicago and Cook County….
Read More “Differences in how people react to homicides in Chicago vs a wealthy suburb” »
Northwood University to be home to three Ukrainian students this fall Fundraiser underway to help two incoming freshmen to Midland Michigan university As the war in Ukraine continues, so do efforts from Northwood University to support Ukrainian students, including two student-athletes who seek to leave Ukraine for the safety of Northwood’s Midland campus. In March,…
Read More “Northwood University to be home to three Ukrainian students this fall” »
Female Member of White House Press Corps Releases Photos in New Book Still photographer Christy Bowe is one of the few women who has covered five consecutive administrations at the White House, two presidential impeachments, and eight presidential inaugurations and U.S. Supreme Court Justice confirmation hearings. A credentialed member of the White House Press Corps,…
Read More “Female Member of White House Press Corps Releases Photos in New Book” »