Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Ford Encourages Governor to Hold Moment of Silence against Hate and Racism With residents across the state coming together to stand against racism and police brutality, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to lower the state’s flags and to call for an 8 minute and 46 second moment…
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Township gives $10,000 Lyons grant helps Greater Chicago Food Depository By Steve Metsch Lyons Township residents finding themselves in need will be helped thanks to a recently approved grant. The township’s board of trustees at its May 12 meeting approved a $10,000 grant to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The grant helps support the food…
Growing cannabis in Bridgeview Board approves two permits; state OK needed By Steve Metsch Two proprietors have cleared the first hurdles that may result in each opening a marijuana growing business in the village of Bridgeview. Village trustees have voted 6-0 in favor approving the two special-use permits needed. Jose Ibarra wants to open a…
All Hands on Deck Willow Springs man organizes distancing party By Steve Metsch It was “All Hands on Deck” for some residents of a Willow Springs subdivision on a recent Thursday evening. The event was the brainchild of Carey Cochrane, who wanted to bring some fun to his neighbors while they were sheltering at home…
The sounds of silence Pandemic sidelines countless musicians this year By Steve Metsch One of the biggest casualties of the coronavirus pandemic and sheltering at home has been entertainment. We can’t go to the movies. The White Sox, Cubs, Fire and youth sports are idle. And we can’t hear live music because large crowds are…
Restaurant owner says thanks Treats Bridgeview village workers to luncheon By Steve Metsch A Bridgeview restaurant owner and board member of The Mosque Foundation treated village employees to a luncheon as way to say thanks. Kalid Baste has owned the Al Bawadi Grill, 7216 W. 87th St., for 13 years. He’s also been a longtime…
Safe farmers market Event returns to La Grange with masks, distancing By Steve Metsch The first-ever farmers market in La Grange held with social distancing rules in place went pretty well, buyers and sellers said. The weekly event made its debut Thursday, June 4. It had been delayed several weeks because of the pandemic and…
Musician offers free concerts Indian Head Park man plays ukulele in yard By Steve Metsch Three afternoons each week, you can find Michael Malone sitting on a stool, playing a ukulele in front of his Indian Head Park home. Malone, 51, plays original songs for anyone who happens to be in the 6400 block of…
Peaceful protest in La Grange No problems reported as hundreds march By Steve Metsch Charlotte Wolf said she wanted to make a stand “because there is a lot going on in the world right now.” So, the recent graduate of Lyons Township High School organized a peaceful protest rally and march in La Grange on…
Virtual Pet Parade a success Organizers are pleased with participation, results By Steve Metsch The reviews are favorable for the first-ever virtual Pet Parade in La Grange. Molly Price, event coordinator for Pet Parade Charities, the non-profit which sponsors the parade, said Monday that “everybody was really supportive of it.” Fears of spreading the coronavirus…
Radio host files lawsuit against Governor Pritzker Chicago radio talkshow host Amy Jacobson, a popular former Chicago TV reporter, has been banned by Gov. J.B. Pritzker from attending his daily and political coronavirus briefings. Jacobson co-hosts the conservative weekday morning radio show “The Answer” with political activists Dan Proft and the show is among the…
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Maywood man charged with aggravated battery to a child after incident May 23 at Super Target in Tinley Park A 31-year-old Maywood man was charged with aggravated battery to a child, endangering the life or health of a child, domestic battery, criminal damage to property and two counts of fleeing and eluding police after an…
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…