Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Virtual Pet Parade on Saturday Virus results in 180 video entries submitted By Steve Metsch Organizers of the 74th annual La Grange Pet Parade, another victim of the coronavirus pandemic, are overwhelmed by the response from the public. Forced to cancel the parade because of the governor’s ban on large public gatherings, they had asked…
Pritzker issues guidelines for businesses/workplaces to reopen in Phase 3 Governor J.B. Pritzker released guidelines that will allow businesses to reopen under Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan, expected to begin May 29, 2020 in the wake of the deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Guidance Developed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and…
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Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19 Maintaining social distancing and meeting at the Bank of Springfield Building, a multi-purpose arena that holds 80,000, the Illinois House approved a $42.6 billion budget to provide support to victims of the coronavirus and ensuring that statewide services to residents continues, ending an 11-week recess forced by…
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Memorial Day online Virus forces communities to honor a new way By Steve Metsch With Memorial Day fast approaching, several communities have opted to hold scaled back ceremonies and in some cases are going virtual. The Village of Lyons, which normally marks Memorial Day with a ceremony at the eternal flame outside the pumping station…
Thrown for a loss Uncertainty forces star quarterback to leave Naz By Steve Metsch Tim Racki has a glittering record as a high school football coach – taking two schools to nine state title games and winning seven – but his biggest challenge may come this fall. Not only does Racki not know if there…
Lyons, Brookfield drenched Salt Creek overflows after heavy weekend rains By Steve Metsch With more rain forecast in the coming days, residents of Lyons and Brookfield who live near Salt Creek are hoping to avoid an encore of May 17. The Lyons Fire Department was busy that Sunday helping about 50 residents and 19 pets…
“Sweet Home Chicago” Telethon to feature Mike Ditka, Chicago “Superfans” Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel Joining host Deon Cole and a list of celebrities, the telethon will feature appearances by Zach LaVine and Patrick Kane along with sports legends Horace Grant, Joe Maddon, Ryne Sandberg, Brian Urlacher And other members of the Bulls,…
Gov. Pritzker authorizes restaurants to operate open-air seating beginning May 29 Restaurants and bars will be permitted beginning May 29 to provide open-air seating to customers as long as tables are at least six feet apart. The idea has been circulating among legislators who have been working to find ways to ease the burden that…
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Illinois House adopts COVID-19 guidelines in advance of meeting House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Tuesday: “Last week when I announced the House would return to Springfield, I asked all members to commit to safety precautions approved and guided by the Illinois Department of Public Health to help prevent the spread of…
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Treasurer Maria Pappas postpones collections to help coronavirus victims Video Interview Below: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has launched an initiative to help taxpayer san property owners who have been economically impacted negatively by the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Treasurer’s office will extend the period by two months in which property owners can pay their…
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Coronavirus testing site opens in Orland Park UChicago Medicine opens third drive-up testing clinic for COVID-19. Orland Park testing launches; Appointment-only services available to the public The University of Chicago Medicine is expanded its curbside COVID-19 testing to its Orland Park outpatient location, adding a third drive-up clinic for the Chicagoland community. The health system’s Orland…
Orland home fire on Beacon Tuesday, May 12th The Orland Fire District responded to the 143 block of Beacon in the Old Orland Historic District for a reported structure fire on Tuesday, May 12. Upon arrival, Battalion 6 found a two-story wood frame building with smoke coming from the rear of the structure. The alarm…
New start for Lyons motel Officials hope restrictions prevent seedy encore By Steve Metsch With a laundry list of restrictions and requirements, what had been called the Presidential Inn in Lyons has re-opened under strict surveillance by the village. The plans were unveiled at the village board meeting on May 5, 13 months after the…
‘Sewing army’ at the ready 19th Ward quilt shop among those on mask duty By Steve Metsch With Illinois residents required to wear masks when out of the house – per the order of Gov. JB Pritzker – but you might have a hard time finding one for sale in a store. With that in…
Pritzker Announces New “All in Illinois” Kids Content Series Featuring Illinois Museums and Attractions Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the All In Illinois website will now offer a kid-friendly content series to connect children and families with educational resources from Illinois museums and attractions. The content series features videos and activities to inspire, educate…
Marie Newman endorses Mara Candelaria Reardon for Congress in Indiana’s 1st Congressional District Marie Newman, who won the Democratic Party nomination to replace Congress Dan Lipinski in the 3rd Congressional District, announced her support on Tuesday May 12, 2020, for Mara Candelaria Reardon for Congress in the Indiana 1st District Congressional race. Reardon is a…
Chicago Wolves 2019-20 Season cancelled because of Pandemic The American Hockey League announced Monday it has canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season and the Calder Cup Playoffs. This represents the first time in the AHL’s 84-year history a season has concluded without determining a champion. “After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey…
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O’Grady urges Orland Township residents to salute student graduates during virus restrictions Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady steps up to recognize the 2020 students whose graduations have been disrupted because of restrictions intended to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. O’Grady, one of the most praised officials in the Orland region, said…