Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Lyons boosts motel tax Extra $25,000 to $30,000 is expected annually By Steve Metsch The village of Lyons expects to make an extra $25,000 to $30,000 each year with a new hotel/motel tax, Financial Director Dan Denys said. The village board at its July 7 meeting unanimously approved increasing the hotel/motel tax from 3.5 percent…
Original Pancake House Chain plans to fill vacant building in La Grange By Steve Metsch The former Bakers Square site in La Grange will not be vacant for very long. Just four months after Bakers Squares closed, passersby now see a sign alerting them of a new restaurant there. The Original Pancake House will occupy…
Pappas: Stay home! Everything you can do at my office you can do at cookcountytreasurer.com Homeowners and business people can avoid a trip downtown by taking care of their property taxes at cookcountytreasurer.com, including making payments, searching for refunds and verifying tax exemptions, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today. “Stay home!” Pappas said. “Millions of people…
Orland Fire District touts “Dementia Friendly” awareness to support residents in need The Orland Fire Protection District declared in partnership with the Village of Orland Park, the Orland Chamber of Commerce and Aishling Companion Home Care announced that it is recognizing the needs of individuals who suffer from dementia. The Fire District announced it is…
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Rashida Tlaib faces tough re-election challenge from Brenda Jones (Radio Podcast) Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, who served a brief five week term representing the 13th Congressional District in Michigan, discusses her rematch with Rashida Tlaib who won the full 13th District Congressional term in 2018. The next Democratic Primary is August 4, 2020…
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Madigan directs removal of Stephen Douglas portrait from State House Building Research reveals Stephen Douglas, the Democratic candidate for president against Republican Abraham Lincoln, was a slave owner. Madigan also directed the removal of statues of both Douglas and also Pierre Menard, also a slave owner. Madigan said he is directing the state to review…
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The call of the sea Clerk Porfirio promoted to commander in Navy Reserve By Steve Metsch Mike Porfirio answers to “Clerk” at the Township of Lyons office. But in his other duties, he now can be called “Commander.” Last year, Porfirio, who is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, was promoted to the…
Judge Pat O’Brien Urges Solutions to End Tragic Violence Cook County States Attorney Candidate Judge Pat O’Brien criticizes incumbent Kim Foxx for failing to provide relief to the surge in violence in Cook County and especially in Chicago. After a violent Fourth of July weekend where 79 people were shot and 15 killed, including a…
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Sims and County Board lead support for Black Lives Matter Cook County commissioners urge passage of Justice for Black Lives resolution to shift resources from incarceration to human needs. Resolution would provide moral compass for County Commissioners in difficult budget decisions, ensure Black lives are protected and supported Cook County Commissioners Deborah Sims (D-5th), Stanley Moore (D-4th),…
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Orland Township To Hold July Drive-Thru Grocery Distribution Free, pre-packaged food boxes available for residents on Friday, July 17 Orland Township will hold a free, drive-thru grocery distribution for Township residents who are experiencing financial hardship since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, according to the office of Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. The Township Food Pantry…
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Opinion: Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau Everything you need to know about Orland Park’s extremist and controversial Mayor, Keith Pekau, who attacked me, yet again, in his political newsletter, making the false assertion of “factual inaccuracy” in my opinion columns. Of course, if anyone has a problem with facts and accuracy, it is…
Bike racks for Lyons Village Hall, Veterans Park to soon have racks By Steve Metsch The village of Lyons plans to install bike racks at the Village Hall and next door at Veterans Park, Mayor Christopher Getty said. He discussed the plans during the village board’s finance committee meeting Monday night. “One would be for…
Fizzled Fourth Virus forces cancelation of Lyons parade, fireworks By Steve Metsch The village of Lyons has canceled its Fourth of July parade, party in the park and fireworks this year because of – you guessed it – the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s disappointing,” Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty said of the parade being canceled. “It’s something…
Taco Village in Des Plaines offers free face masks with purchases A restaurant in Des Plaines is giving away face masks to customers for use against the coronavirus. Taco Village owners Maria Marquez says many customers have saids they can’t get masks because of hoarding during the pandemic and wants to help the public be…
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Opinion: 2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government Two days after revealing the first case of coronavirus to infect an employee in the beleaguered administration of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, a second confirmed Coronavirus case has been confirmed in the Village’s Recreation Department. The two cases are a political embarrassment for Pekau who is vacationing during…
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Orland Township to House New Secretary of State Facility Popular Secretary of State Driver services to remain in south suburbs in Orland Park Orland Township has reached an agreement with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to have a Driver’s Service facility in the Township building located at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, according to…
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OPINION: Coronavirus hits Orland Village Hall as Pekau challenges virus restrictions After championing the fight to ease coronavirus restrictions, and suing Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is dealing with the news that an employee who works with him has been diagnosed with coronavirus. An employee in the Village Manager’s Office has been diagnosed…
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Sprinklers required Needed in new construction in Bridgeview By Steve Metsch Bridgeview Fire Chief Michael Daly has seen the difference sprinkler systems make, and is glad the village board has taken the step to ensure more safety. The board at its June 17 meeting unanimously approved amending the sprinkler ordinance. Sprinkler systems are required for…