Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Centennial Park Aquatic Center Kicks Off Summer Season May 23 Get ready to make a splash this summer! The Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC), located at 15600 West Avenue in Orland Park, officially opens for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23. The facility will open at 10 a.m. for members and 11 a.m. for…
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Illinois Senator Committee approves resolution urging Illinois K through 12 schools to offer Arabic as Foreign Language option By Ray Hanania As Consolidated High School District 230, one of the largest in Illinois, blocked the adoption of Arabic as a Foreign Language at their three High Schools, Sandburg High School, Andrew High School, and Stagg…
Orland Park Launches Emergency Management Agency The Village of Orland Park has formally replaced the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) with the Orland Park Emergency Management Agency (EMA), following Board of Trustees approval Monday night. The transition strengthens the Village’s commitment to emergency preparedness, disaster response and public safety. “Illinois communities across the state are…
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Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Year of Events The Village of Orland Park is proud to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a year full of special events and programs. The season of celebration will kick off with the Red, White & Blue BBQ Fest & Parade on Saturday,…
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Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement Orland Park, IL – From the time he was a young child, Robert Winkelman always wanted to be a firefighter. Last week, he retired after 35 years of total fire service, including 29 years with the Orland Fire Protection District, most recently as a Battalion…
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OFPD extinguishes garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries reported The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a reported structure fire Thursday evening in the 10800 block of Caribou Lane involving an attached residential garage. Upon arrival, all occupants had safely exited the home. First arriving companies forced entry to access the garage and encountered…
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Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs The Orland Fire Protection District released the scheduled dates for the popular Kids Camp (Monday, June 15) and the Junior Cadet program (Tuesday, June 16), and urges interested parents to mark their calendars for the events and for the required registration….
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Orland Mayor Dodge blasts lies by former Mayor Pekau Mayor Dodge Statement Following Attack on the Integrity of Public Safety Officials. Lies and distortions by Pekau have been repeated by local media, such as the false claims Mike Henry was “not detained” as a result of the Illinois State Police political raid, or that columnist…
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Orland Fire responds to laundry room fire at Mario Tricoci salon Orland Park, IL – A fire that apparently began in the laundry room of the Mario Tricoci salon in Orland Park on Friday, March 13, 2026, damaged an area of the business and forced its temporary closure. No one was injured. Orland Fire Protection…
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Orland Park Sportsplex Annual Family Health Fair Returns March 14 Orland Park, IL (March 13, 2026) – The Village of Orland Park Recreation & Parks Department will hold its annual Family Health Fair on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Village of Orland Park Sportsplex, 11351 West 159th Street. Topics will…
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Early Voting Location Moves to Orland Park Civic Center for Upcoming Election Cycle The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce that for the next early voting cycle, early voting will relocate from the Orland Township Building to the Orland Park Civic Center, located at 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. This change reflects the Village’s…
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State Senate candidate Nick Uniejewski receives major endorsements in 6th District Veteran progressive icon Don Rose and former Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin have endorsed Nick Uniejewski in his challenge to controversial incumbent Sara Feigenholtz in the March 17, 2026, Democratic Primary. Feigenholtz has been repeatedly criticized for putting foreign interests over the interests of…
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Orland Fire to host Coffee & Conversation Feb 25 on: Protecting your Finances, Info for Seniors, & Staying Safe Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District and Fire Chief Kevin Doyle will host the next “Coffee & Conversation” on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 10 am until 12:00 pm at the OFPD Board…
Man Arrested for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse On January 28, 2026, the Orland Park Police Department arrested Brett Smith, 43, following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a juvenile and the advertising of private tutoring services on social media. Smith turned himself in at the Orland Park Police Department after detectives attempted to…
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Orland Fire Protection District cautions homeowners on using alternative sources for heat inside homes OFPD, IL – Officials of the Orland Fire Protection District on Thursday cautioned homeowners on using alternative sources of heat for their homes, warning they could easily cause fires. With the cost of heating a home rising, many homeowners have turned…
Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information On January 20, 2026, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland denied former Mayor Keith Pekau’s motion to dissolve the existing Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), allowing the Village’s lawsuit…
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Orland Park Village Board Approves First-of-Its-Kind Amazon Retail Store at 159th Street and LaGrange Road Orland Park Village Board Approves First-of-Its-Kind Amazon Retail Store at 159th Street and LaGrange At its January 19, 2026 meeting, the Orland Park Village Board approved a first-of-its-kind Amazon retail store at the southwest corner of 159th Street and LaGrange…
Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts People have asked how to access all of my writings, radio shows, and audio/video podcasts, which include Ray Hanania on Politics, Two Guys on Politics with Bill Lipinski, The Ray Hanania Radio Show sponsored by Arab News on WNZK AM 690 Radio in Michigan, and Ray Hanania’s Syndicated column. Hanania takes…