Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Owner of Chicago-Area Convenience Stores Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Low-Income Food Program CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced the owner of several Chicago-area convenience stores to four years in prison for scheming to defraud a low-income food program for women and children. From 2010 to 2018, Hassan Abdellatif schemed…
Statement from John Harrell Candidate for the 8th Illinois House District in the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary election Voters in the 8th District face many challenges and issues that need to be addressed and that are at stake in this election. One of the most important is curtailing rising property taxes. They need to…
Orland Fire District inducts firefighter trainees into fulltime positions Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) Wednesday (March 4, 2026) swore in five firefighter trainees to positions of full-time firefighters. The five inductees trained for more than a year before qualifying for the positions, and included Benjamin Bergen, Christopher Bailey, Philip McLaughlin,…
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OFPD to co-sponsor blood drive March 21 with Vitalant at Orland Library Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District will host a blood drive with Vitalant Blood Donor Center at the Orland Park Public Library, 14921 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, on March 21, 2026. The event will be held from 10 AM to…
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Moderate Jewish Lobby J Street denounces Trump war on Iran J Street President Jeremy Ben Ami released the following statement from J Street, the moderate and powerful voice of peace and mutual recognition for the Jewish people in America, on the war started by President Donald Trump against Iran We are appalled by President Trump’s…
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Video promotion for Richard Boykin candidate for the 7th Congressional District Richard Boykin, a candidate for the 7th Congressional District election to succeed Congressman Danny Davis, released the following promotional video that includes endorsements of some of the region’s most important public servants and community leaders. View the video at the bottom of this report….
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Important News: ICYMI: WBEZ details AIPAC dark money support for Donna Miller Dark Money making its way into Illinois elections, tied to AIPAC and Donna Miller, a recent news stories showcased by Congressional Candidate Robert Peters shows. CHICAGO (Friday, February 27, 2026)– A new WBEZ investigative report details the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s efforts…
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Important News: Sun-Times disclosure slams Giannoulias over campaign donor Secretary State Alexi Giannoulis has put himself in the spotlight, not by weighing a race for higher office, even before he completes the one he was just elected to serve in. But because of the huge collections of funds he is receiving for his election campaign…
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Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation designed to provide critical relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county’s 2023 tax sale. Hastings, a chief co-sponsor on the bill, worked to pass the…
Lyons Mayor Chris Getty Announces Candidacy for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District Videos of the announcement are at the end of the news story to view. Chicago, IL – Chris Getty, elected the youngest mayor in Illinois at age 26, announced Thursday that he is a candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 4th District, following U.S. Rep….
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Orland Fire Protection District celebrates firefighter promotions Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District held a promotional ceremony on Thursday, February 26, 2026 recognizing five firefighters. Congratulations are extended to Orland Fire Protection District Lieutenants Michael Pericht and Jonathan Kendra, Engineers Jeff Anderson and Jason Smith, and Director of Dispatch Operations Des Breese…
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Important News: TIF expert Tom Tresser on the push to fund new Bears stadium with taxpayer money Important News brings you reporting and commentary that is important to our lives from other writers and news sources. In this post, TIF expert Tom Tresser discusses the downside of the rush to use tax dollars to fund…
Hastings builds on missing persons identification methods SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work by advancing legislation that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Families dealing with a missing loved one should not have to wait for answers,”…
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Important News: Support Dan Balanoff running for 8th SubCircuit District Judge An important judicial race that you should take the time to support when you vote on March 17, 2026, is that of Dan Balanoff. He’s not a political attorney, but a very competent Estate Planning and Probate Attorney. Make sure to give him your…
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Ryan Statement on Budget Preparation for More Affordable Illinois Following Budget Address CHICAGO — Following the budget address delivered by Governor Pritzker on Wednesday, state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen, is prepared to begin the long process of securing an affordable budget that will lower the cost of living for Illinois families and improve safety in…
Senator Cory Booker Endorses Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today announced he is endorsing Robin Kelly for the U.S. Senate, citing Kelly’s exceptional leadership, proven track record of delivering for Illinois families, and their dedicated partnership tackling gun violence. Kelly’s campaign continues to build momentum with Booker’s endorsement,…
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Pappas says pay property tax bills online now at cookcountytreasurer.com Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will mail nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2025 First Installment property tax bills by March 2. Payments are due Wednesday, April 1, 2026. But if you want the peace of mind that comes from paying early, you can make payments…
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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Help Hispanic Homeowners Search for Refunds During February 19 Phone Bank with Telemundo Chicago Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is partnering again with Telemundo Chicago’s consumer unit, Telemundo Responde, to host a special phone bank, “Las Casas Latinas Importan,” on Thursday, February 19. The event will help Hispanic homeownersdetermine,…