Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Tollway interchange for Justice New ramps may be open in four years By Steve Metsch Justice Mayor Kris Wasowicz was beaming Tuesday morning as he chatted with various elected and state agency officials as they stood on a gravel parking lot overlooking the Tri-State Tollway. It was cold. It was windy. And Wasowicz felt like…
Summit honors Kurcz Firehouse named for family that donated land By Steve Metsch An honor that was 20 years in the making has finally happened in Summit. At the urging of Mayor Sergio Rodriguez, the current village administration decided to dedicate the firehouse at 7339 W. 59th St. to the people who made it possible,…
New members lift Eagles Vince Gill, Deacon Frey fit well with legendary band By Steve Metsch Do you have any plans Thursday night? If not, you should take a short drive north and attend The Eagles’ concert at the new Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. After seeing Monday night’s concert at the United Center, I’m…
High school senior says writing book will improve student grades Aaron Hanania will sign copies of his new book at an event on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at the Oak Lawn Library from 6 pm until 8 pm, and discuss how young students can become better students through disciplined writing and storytelling. A writing project…
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Portage to the future Groups seek to promote historic Lyons site By Steve Metsch Driving on busy Harlem Avenue, just north of the Stevenson Expressway, you may have noticed a statue if you glanced west. It’s a towering statue of a native American, Louis Joliet, Father Marquette and a canoe, recalling their visit in 1673….
Bridgeview may improve range Sewer inspections also on village board’s agenda By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board was thinking beneath the surface at its latest meeting. The board approved a contract that will review its sanitary sewer system for illegal hookups. The board also okayed an agreement that will allow Advocate Christ Medical Center…
Improvising pays for Nazareth Punt turned touchdown highlights 49-20 win By Steve Metsch You know it’s your night when your punter, sensing an imminent blocked kick, scampers 57 yards untouched for a touchdown. With Nazareth leading 28-7 early in the third quarter Friday night, Michael Love was set to punt from his 43-yard line. Noticing…
Railroad flyover discussed Plan would have impact on Summit By Steve Metsch Reducing the risk of potential accidents, along with ending delays in commuter railroad service, are goals of a proposed “flyover” that could be built from Harlem Avenue alongside the canal to Willow Springs. It’s all part of sweeping rail improvements proposed by the…
Social Security to increase slightly over 2018 Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2019 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 67 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2019, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more…
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Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21 Dozens of Democratic candidates running in the November 6, 2018 General election will be showcased at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast & Brunch on Sunday, October 21 hosted by The Arab American Democratic Club. The keynote speakers at the event are Illinois House Speaker Michael J….
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WMAQ TV Reporter Warner Saunders passes away at 83 Iconic African American television journalist Warner Saunders dies. Saunders was a brilliant reporter who fairly covered the news and sympathized with those who were oppressed. By Ray Hanania Warner Saunders was almost one-of-a-kind. Not only was he a true journalist, he was also a genuine human…
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LaGrange-based social services agency, Pillars, receives Lipinski grant Lipinski Announces Grant for Pillars Community Health in La Grange Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is announcing that the Pillars Community Health Center in La Grange has been awarded a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The organization will receive $243,200 to help expand…
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Republican Kelly urges Mayor Emanuel to stepdown During a recent appearance on the PBS show, “Chicago Tonight,” William J. Kelly, the only Republican candidate for Chicago mayor, blasted the Chicago media and national Democrats for giving Rahm a pass on the Chicago Public Schools sex abuse and rape scandal – a sharp contrast to their…
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Democrat Underwood features new Ads in Illinois 14th Congressional District race With just 35 days until Election Day and early voting underway, Lauren Underwood has unveiled her second campaign commercial of the general election. The ad, “It’s On”, tells the story of how the campaign came to be––with a broken health care promise from her…
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Lyons buys new fire engine Village board welcomes new police officer By Steve Metsch A new fire engine is being purchased by Lyons. It’s one of three vehicles being purchased by the village. The village board, at its Sept. 18 meeting, unanimously approved buying the three vehicles with the biggest being a new fire engine….
Lyons honors employees Four have a combined 111 years service By Steve Metsch The Lyons Village Board honored four employees with plaques recognizing their longtime service. The four have a combined 111 years working for the village. Rich Vabro has worked 30 years with the water department, is the foreman. Vabro “is very vital to…
Glenn Hughes rocks St. Charles Former Deep Purple bassist/singer an ageless wonder By Steve Metsch Please forgive the delay for this review. Life gets busy. But when you catch yourself still thinking about a concert nearly three weeks later, it’s worth writing about. I journeyed out to the lovely and intimate 900-seat Arcada Theatre in…
Railroad “flyover” discussed Proposal would cut risks, move Summit businesses By Steve Metsch Reducing the risk of potential accidents, along with ending delays in commuter railroad service, are goals of a proposed “flyover” that could be built west of Summit Park. It’s all part of sweeping rail improvements proposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation…