Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Chicago, Naperville & Elgin highest auto thefts NICB’s 2016 Hot Spots Vehicle Theft Report. Anchorage, AK and Billings, MT Metro Areas Make First-Time Appearance in Top 10 The Albuquerque, N.M. metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the highest per capita auto theft rate in 2016 according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) latest Hot Spots…
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“We pause to remember” Lyons, Bedford Park honor fallen on Memorial Day By Steve Metsch In communities around the area Monday, men and women who gave their lives for our county were remembered with somber Memorial Day services. Such was the case in Lyons, at the eternal flame on Ogden Avenue, and in Bedford Park,…
Bargains found at Summit Flea Market Buyers and sellers enjoy bartering over treasures By Steve Metsch Strong winds on a recent Sunday morning weren’t enough to keep bargain-seeing shoppers home. Some, in fact, were blown away by the deals they found in the Summit Park District’s Annual Flea Market held in the district’s parking lot…
Lyons to demolish old firehouse Building has served many purposes, officials say By Steve Metsch A bit of Lyons history, which has served its purpose many times over, will be torn down this summer. The Lyons Village Board has approved demolition of the former firehouse, which earlier had been a water pumping station, at 4043…
Aurora makes list of best places to live The City of Aurora has been included on a top 30 list of the best cities to live based on the affordability of housing for families, according to a study released this week by HomeUnion, an online real estate investment management firm. HomeUnion published a list of the…
Midnight Flight, the online book on race in Chicago An online book that explores the memories of a challenging time in Chicago when race was the dominating factor driving and influencing people’s lives. 1968 and 1969 were difficult times in Chicago and my book “Midnight Flight” offers one perspective on what that experience was like,…
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Home sales up in Chicago suburbs in April Chicago-Area Home Sales Presented Mixed Picture in April, RE/MAX Reports; Home Values Rise, Unit Sales Dip Slightly April sales data showed the seven-county, Chicago-area housing market maintaining a strong sales pace, RE/MAX reports. April sales topped 10,000 units for the second consecutive year, and home values continued…
Chicago suburban rents rising, nationwide trend As rent becomes more expensive, renters are starting to look for cheaper housing options outside downtown cores, prompting rent payments to rise faster in the suburbs than in urban areas, according to a new Zillow® report. For the first time in four years, suburban rents are rising faster than…
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Chicagoland No. 2 destination for U-Haul renters Chicago continues to safeguard its standing as the No. 2 U-Haul U.S. Destination City, according to the latest U-Haul migration trends report. Chicago saw a 5.8 percent drop in 2016 arrivals compared to 2015, although it managed to stave off San Antonio as the second busiest U.S. market…
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House moves Rauner/Madigan-Backed procurement reforms Statement from Speaker Madigan on Passage of Rauner-Backed Procurement Reforms SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Monday after the House voted to pass Senate Bill 8, a package of reforms negotiated by Gov. Bruce Rauner to help streamline acquisition of goods and services, reducing costs…
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New Middle East restaurant in Orland Park Orland Park has added one more quality Middle East restaurant to its growing stable of great restaurants, Qasr al-Deyafah on 159th Street. The Mediterranean cuisine is among the region’s best. It’s the perfect place for Americans to experience the best Middle East foods By Ray Hanania I’m constantly on…
Inaugural baseball tourney a huge success The OYA Orland Park Warriors 10U travel baseball team hosted their inaugural “2017 Warriors 10 U Weekend Rumble” baseball tournament from May 3 through May 7, 2017. The tournament consisted of 10 teams from local and regional communities including Orland Park, Tinley and as far away as Cary, Illinois. While…
Madigan refutes claims Democrats are unconcerned about Illinois Budget Conservative business group called out by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan on claims the legislature is not doing enough to bail taxpayers out of the state’s mounting debt By Ray Hanania Illinois House Speaker released a copy of a letter Friday expressing the commitment that he…
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Chicago’s Top Chefs Head to Wrigley Field The Chicago Cubs, Levy and Maker’s Mark introduce a new rotating Chef Series to bring Chicago’s best restaurants to Wrigley Field. World-renowned, award-winning Chicago chefs will serve up dynamic takes on ballpark fare during a rotating pop-up series beginning June 2 in the recently refreshed Sheffield Counter, located…
Orland Fire Protection District swears in Trustees Evoy elected to second term as Orland Fire Protection District Board President; former OFPD Commissioner Craig Schmidt elected to first term as OFPD Trustee Christopher Evoy was elected to a second term as President of the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees at its meeting Tuesday night…
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Storm shuts power for 85,000 Northern Illinois homes ComEd Restores Power to 90 Percent of Customers Impacted by Severe storm. Customers encouraged to report any remaining outages or downed power lines sightings. Damage hits neighborhoods in Arlington Heights, Rockford, Dixon, and Mt. Prospect Following a fast-moving storm with wind gusts as strong as 70 mph that…
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Orland Township supports food pantries through local retailers Orland Township Food Pantry and Meijer Partner Through Retailer’s Simply Give Food Pantry Donation Program The Orland Township Food Pantry is proud to announce a partnership with Meijer this spring to provide much-needed hunger relief to local families through the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer’s customer-driven food pantry…
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Chef brings best of MLB cuisine to Lyons New owner of Stella’s in second year at popular site By Steve Metsch Baseball fans can tour concession stands of the major leagues without ever leaving Lyons. Robin Choi, who in late February celebrated one year of owning Stella’s, 3903 Joliet Ave., the batting cages and restaurant…