Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Orland Fire Protection Board praises all first responders for emergency response to Monday’s storm OFPD, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) Board of Trustees said firefighters and dispatchers responded to hundreds of emergency calls during the heavy storms that swept through the region Monday, reporting no major injuries. Deputy Chief Joshua Girdick and…
Court Victory: Grandson Safeguarded From Danger after Mother’s Tragic Death By Jeffery M. Leving Following the shooting death of his mother, a young boy was placed in the care of his uncle—what should have been a safe and stable arrangement. Instead, it quickly became a reported source of fear for his grandfather. He was alarmed…
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Treasurer Maria Pappas: Homeowners Blast Property Tax Increases, but Skip Voting When Given a Chance to Reject Them Just one in five Cook County voters bothered to vote in the last two elections when asked whether to approve property tax increases, allowing a distinct minority of voters to approve hundreds of millions of dollars in…
Three firefighters honored with promotions by Orland Fire Protection District Thursday Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) confirmed the promotions of three firefighters on Thursday to the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant and Battalion Chief during ceremonies at the Fire District’s board room celebrated by family, friends and firefighters. Deputy Fire Chief…
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Leving Team Fought and Brought Dad’s Twin Boys Home By Laura Reichel No father should have to wonder if he will ever see his children again. Unfortunately for this father, he was forced to face that reality after his twin sons were suddenly pulled out of his life and taken out of Illinois without his…
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Steppenwolf announces new ensemble member, Laura D. Glenn “Steppenwold has been my life’s work. I’m excited for this next step” Laura D. Glenn, was named as the latest ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theater. Glenn whose journey with Steppenwolf began as a summer intern in 1988, has worked on more than 100 Steppenwolf productions over 38…
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Cook County Board of Review Opens 2026 Property Tax Appeal Season on Monday, July 27 Chicago, IL – Tuesday, July 21, 2026 – The Cook County Board of Review (CCBOR) will officially open the 2026 property tax appeal season on Monday, July 27, providing homeowners, businesses, and property owners across Cook County the opportunity to…
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Member of 10-Person Robbery Crew Targeting Chicago Suburbs Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison CHICAGO — A member of a crew that conspired to commit 11 brazen daytime robberies in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Between January 2022 and March 2023, Perry Maple, 23, participated directly in three…
Northbrook West/Citation Lake Stormwater Project earns highest-priority ranking from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027 NORTHBROOK, Illinois (July 21, 2026) — The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)…
Court Denies former Mayor Keith Pekau’s Motion to Dismiss lawsuit Former Mayor Must Answer Village’s Complaint, Village of Orland Park says countering misleading information released by disgraced for mayor Keith Pekau Orland Park, IL (July 16, 2026) – The Village of Orland Park announced that on July 6, 2026, the Cook County Circuit Court denied…
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Former Summit Police Chief John Kosmowski sentenced for corruption Former Suburban Chicago Police Chief Sentenced to Three Years in Federal prison for Bribery and Obstruction of Justice CHICAGO — The former Chief of Police in the village of Summit, Ill., has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for corruptly accepting money from a…
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Hastings hosts Summer Soiree Thursday August 6, 2026 Old Plank Trail Frankfort Please join Senator Michael E. Hastings for a Summer Soirée on Thursday, August 6, at Old Plank Trail Tavern in Frankfort. Throw on your summer attire and enjoy an evening with friends and supporters as we gather to support Senator Hastings and his…
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Your Property Index Number or PIN; What You Need to Know By Maria Pappas If you own property in Cook County, there’s one number you should always know: your PIN. That’s short for Property Index Number—a 14-digit code assigned to every piece of real estate in the county. It’s tied to the legal description of…
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Historic Property Tax Reforms Championed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas signed into Law Gov. JB Pritzker today signed into law landmark legislation pushed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to protect homeowners from losing their equity through property tax foreclosure. The new law marks the most significant overhaul of Illinois’ property tax foreclosure system…
Hastings encourages municipalities, park districts to apply for IDNR grant State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging park districts and municipalities in the 19th District to apply for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant. “Some places become more than parks, they become gathering places where memories are made,…
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Leving Team Challenged the Narrative and Protected Client’s Future By Laura Reichel A panicked Chicago man was terrified about his future. He was in the middle of a tough divorce and he feared a narrative was being built to financially destroy him, one that portrayed his wife as being unable to function and incapable of…
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Bolingbrook hosts International Festival Saturday July 11, 2026 DON’T MISS the iFest 2026 Saturday July 11, 2026. Grab your family, invite your friends, and join us Saturday, July 11, for iFest 2026—Bolingbrook’s biggest celebration of cultures from around the world! From incredible live entertainment and authentic international cuisine to cultural exhibits, artisan vendors and family…
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Bolingbrook Mayor, Legislators, Urge ICC to Reject Latest Illinois American Water Rate Hike The ICC will host a public hearing in Bolingbrook to allow residents to speak out on the proposed massive rate hike by Illinois American Water. The meeting will be Tuesday, July 14, 2026 beginning at 6:30 PM at the Bolingbrook Community Center,…