Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Pappas: Which properties have the biggest property tax increases since 2000? If you didn’t vote … Don’t complain Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas today released a study which reveals the properties in Chicago and the suburbs with the largest property tax increases since 2000, dramatic examples of how the tax burden has soared on homeowners…
Bridgeview OKs budget Board also focuses on vacant properties By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board has approved a balanced budget for 2021. The board unanimously approved the $30.6 million budget at its meeting held at noon on Dec. 16. “The budget is done on time and balanced this year,” Mayor Steve Landek said. No…
Lyons passes balanced budget Like many villages, pandemic took a toll By Steve Metsch The village of Lyons faces a deficit after the pandemic hit revenues hard, but trustees have passed a balanced budget for 2021. And finance department officials think the village can weather the storm. The village will have a $240,000 deficit with…
High-tech Santa Jolly elf visited via Zoom with Lyons kids By Steve Metsch Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Lyons parks and recreation department was unable to have Santa visit in person with kids this year. Thanks to modern technology, all was not lost. Kids were able to visit with the jolly old elf on…
Orland Township Provides Gifts and Meals for Over 200 Families Generous community supports Holiday Program. Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Township board distributed food and toys to more than 200 needy families during the Township’s annual Holiday Program Through many acts of kindness and generosity, the holidays were made a little brighter for…
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Abir Othman named next Principal at Andrew High School The High School District 230 School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Abir Othman as Principal of Andrew High School, in light of the promotion of Dr. Robert Nolting to the role of Superintendent beginning on July 1, 2021. “Abir is a strong and compassionate leader…
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Former Mayor Dan McLaughlin announces bid in Orland Park After consulting with thousands of Orland Park residents, business owners, and community leaders, former Mayor, Dan McLaughlin, will be challenging incumbent mayor, Keith Pekau, in the April 6, 2021 election by continuing his commitment to serve the working families of Orland Park. McLaughlin’s priorities will…
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Orland Township Strike Force ready to oversee COVID-19 vaccine Team on board and ready to administer COVID-19 vaccine Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady announced at the Township’s December Board meeting that the Township has a plan in place to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents, if called upon to do so by state and local…
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Orland Township Helping Protect Residents During the Holidays 500 bags of PPE/cleaning supplies to be distributed at Dec. 22 drive-thru Orland Township will hold a drive-thru to distribute bags of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to Township residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the office of…
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Orland Park Village Trustee Daniel Calandriello Will Not Seek Another Term Trustee Thanks Supporters and Provides Thoughts about Village’s Future After more than 7 years of public service on the Orland Park Village Board of Trustees, Dan Calandriello announced today that he will not run for re-election. In a message to supporters, Calandriello stated, “…after…
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Pappas: Areas high in delinquent property taxes lose residents, pay larger tax increases and have the most violent crime Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas today released a study which shows that the areas in Cook County where delinquent properties are a severe problem are losing population, experiencing larger property tax increases, and confronting high levels…
Memoir: “Stories My Father Told Me” Available Now Memories of a Childhood in Syria and Lebanon By Elia Zughaib, Illustrated by Helen Zughaib In a world driven by power, money, and the pursuit of personal success, Helen and her father Elia have given us a glimpse of an intact society stretched to the limit, yet…
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Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., sworn-in to the Illinois Supreme Court On December 4, 2020, after his November 3, 2020 election, Justice Neville, the second African American to sit on the Illinois Supreme Court, was sworn in by Chief Justice Anne M. Burke, with his wife and staff in attendance. Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr….
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Military News: VAW-124 welcomes new commending officer in change of Command Ceremony By Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs The “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 124 stationed aboard Naval Station Norfolk held a change of command ceremony, Dec. 3, to mark a transition of command leadership. During the change of command…
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Village of Orland Park votes down law requiring the wearing of face masks Members of the Orland Park Village Board debated an ordinance that would require residents to wear face masks when in public locations, following the leads of similar ordinances adopted by New Lenox and Tinley Park, but voted 4 to 3 to reject…
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Cook County commissioners urge passage of Residential Tenant Landlord law Cook County commissioners, housing advocates urge county board to pass Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance in press conference Cook County commissioners, housing advocates, and tenants held a virtual press conference Dec. 8, 2020 urging the Cook County Board to pass the proposed Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance…
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How Facebook, Twitter and Zoom censor free speech on Live Radio Alice Speri, a writer with The Intercept, will join radio host Ray Hanania on Friday December 11, 2020 at 8 AM EST on “The Ray Hanania Show” on WNZK AM 690 Radio in Detroit to discuss rising censorship on Social Media platforms like Facebook…
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Democrat Tammy Wendt sworn in to Board of Review Tammy Wendt was sworn in as the new commissioner for the Cook County Board of Review for the First (1st) District during ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. Wendt was sworn-in to her new office by Cook County Judge Pat Coghlan. Here are Tammy’s remarks following…
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