Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Noise woes grow in Bedford Park Hotel officials blame railroad yard, not Midway Airport By Steve Metsch Citing concerns over increased noise from a nearby railyard, the company that owns several hotels near Midway Airport is seeking financial help from the village of Bedford Park. Mark Weglarz, of The Weglarz Company, spoke about the problem during…
Countryside offers free music Summer concert series starts tonight By Steve Metsch Countryside will provide a diverse soundtrack for this summer with a series of free concerts through August. The “Countryside All Stars” summer concert series will be in Countryside Park on 61st Street, a half-block east of Brainard Avenue. Opening acts start at 6…
Argo High chess team “phenomenal” Boys team enjoys best season in school history By Steve Metsch If you run into a member of the Argo Community High School chess team this summer and he challenges you to a game, it’s probably not a good idea to test your luck. Chances are you won’t last long…
Only one Illinois restaurant makes national Outdoor dining list Wheaton’s Adelle’s Restaurant is the only restaurant in Illinois that made Open Table’s annual list of best Al Fresco (outdoor) dining establishments for 2017. Adelle’s is a stylish, comfortable atmosphere featuring the large comfortable bar, warm copper accented decor & two cozy fireplaces. Located in the…
Read More “Only one Illinois restaurant makes national Outdoor dining list” »
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…
Read More “Chicago, Naperville & Elgin highest auto thefts” »
“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,…
Read More “Midnight Flight: Online book on Race in Chicago” »
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…
Read More “Chicago suburban rents rising, nationwide trend” »
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…
Read More “Chicagoland No. 2 destination for U-Haul renters” »
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…
Read More “House moves Rauner/Madigan-Backed procurement reforms” »
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…
Read More “Madigan refutes claims Democrats unconcerned about Budget” »
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…