Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Man Sentenced to a Year and a Half in Federal Prison for Covid-Relief Fraud A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a man to a year and half in prison for scheming to fraudulently obtain nearly $2 million in small business loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In 2020, Samuel…
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Twin Brothers from Orland Park’s Troop 318 Achieve Scouting’s Highest Honor: Eagle Scout Troop 318 of Orland Park, Illinois, is proud to announce that twin brothers Adel and Omar Nofal have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in the Scouting America. They become the 224th and 225th Eagle Scouts in the troop’s…
United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago Creates New Section to Prosecute Criminal Healthcare Fraud Violations Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today announced publicly the creation of a new section within the Office’s Criminal Division dedicated to the prosecution of healthcare fraud, which is among the Department of Justice’s…
Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds By Maria Pappas Every year, many Cook County homeowners are bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from vendors offering to help secure property tax refunds — for a fee. But here’s the truth: You don’t need to pay…
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Village of Orland Park Receives Clean Audit Opinion for Fiscal Year 2024 Audit Completed on Time for First Time in Three Years By Ray Hanania After former Mayor Keith Pekau attempted to politicize the Village of Orland Park’s financial spending and his growing debt by intentionally withholding the filing of financial audits in 2022 and…
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Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against former mayor Keith Pekau, ordering him to immediately remove his publication of the Village’s confidential information he received access to while in office, and…
Jotaka Eaddy endorses Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate Jotaka Eaddy, founder of Win with Black Women and a nationally renowned business executive, social impact strategist and investor, today endorsed Robin Kelly for the U.S. Senate. “All of us win when we elect Robin Kelly to the U.S. Senate,” Eaddy said. “Robin is a proven fighter…
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Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy Seven-Week Program Offers Insight into Village Operations The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Orland Park Citizens Academy, a new initiative designed to provide residents and local business owners with a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at how their local government operates….
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Leaving team saved dad’s future and his bond with his son By Laura Reichel A Chicago father was faced with the most difficult period of his life following his divorce. Dad was horrified when he realized that he was ordered to pay an exorbitant amount of child support — far more than he could ever pay….
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Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) promoted three firefighters to the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant and Battalion Chief at a special ceremony on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at the District’s Administrative office. Joined by OFPD Trustees DJ Jeffers and Bridget Tolan, Commissioners Brian O’Neill and Mohammed…
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John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally Community, religious, and elected leaders endorse Harrell for the 8th State House District at a press conference held at Macarthur Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Monday, April 11, 2025 Chicago, IL – John Harrel formally announced his candidacy for the…
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Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center The Village of Orland Park is celebrating the resounding success of its 22nd annual Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, which welcomed more than 35,000 attendees over the course of the weekend. Returning to its original home at the…
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Social media victim won— Leving team vacated stalking no-contact order for dad By Laura Reichel A father residing in New Jersey suddenly found himself the subject of a stalking no-contact order issued by an Illinois court, even though he’d never set foot in Illinois. Confused and terrified of being incarcerated, dad immediately contacted attorney Jeffery…
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Chicago Black Pastors gather to praise John Harrell candidacy for 8th State House District More than two dozen prominent African American pastors representing the largest churches and parishes on Chicago’s South and West Sides on Tuesday (Aug. 5, 2025) praised and encouraged fellow Pastor John Harrell’s decision to run for State Representative in the 8th Illinois House…
Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Five Individuals for Alleged Covid-Relief Fraud A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted five individuals for allegedly fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in small business loans and other benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. George Kavroulakis, Athanasios Intzes, Adam Jaber, Hassan Kurdi and…
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National Gun VIolence prevention organization Brady PAC endorses Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate Brady PAC Makes Rare Primary Endorsement of Kelly, Citing Her Proven Record of Gun Violence Prevention Work Brady PAC today announced its endorsement of Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate. Brady PAC, the political arm of the Brady Campaign, the nation’s oldest gun…
Author Charlene Wexler Earns Apex Award for Farewell to South Shore Author Charlene Wexler recently won a 2025 Communications Concepts Award of Excellence for her book Farewell to South Shore, published by Speaking Volumes. “Farewell to South Shore taps into and articulates a woman’s emotions related to dealing with a changing society, particularly its expectations of…
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Orland Park Mayor Dodge explores options to save Secretary of State services Village of Orland Park Addresses Orland Township’s Decision to Remove DMV Facility. Village issues letter on status of critical Secretary of States services Dear Orland Park Residents, Thank you for sharing your concerns about the recent cancelation of the lease for the DMV…
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