Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Arab American empowerment continues to grow Arab Americans have been fighting for a place at the American table from the day they set foot in America. But in recent years, their empowerment has increased despite the increased discrimination in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In recently years, Arab Americans have…
Liz Gorman named as new Illinois Tollway director Former Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman was appointed by Governor Bruce Rauner Thursday (Feb. 22, 2018) as the new executive director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), replacing Greg Bedalov who Rauner appointed in 2015. Bedalov will move to the Illinois Sports Facility…
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No injuries in fire that caused major damage to Red Robin in Orland Park The Orland Fire Protection District responded to an automatic fire alarm at the Red Robin Gourmet Burgers restaurant at 15503 South La Grange Road in Orland Park on Saturday at approximately 4:30 pm. Advance information from witnesses reported a blazing roof…
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Chicagoland communities prepare for snow storm impact The National Weather Service has issued a major storm alert for the Chicagoland area and suburbs. Schools, governments and many public agencies are closing, urging residents to be cautious while driving, to do welfare checks on neighbors who are disabled or seniors, and identifying warming centers in the…
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New Emergency Training Classes set by Orland Fire District Class enrollment deadline extended until Feb. 5, 2018 The Orland Fire Protection District announced a new class date for citizens interested in learning emergency training skills to help save lives, beginning Monday Feb. 5. The classes run about right weeks, officials said, and are held in…
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Tyrrell named Principal at Sandburg High School The High School District 230 School Board approved the hiring of Jennifer Tyrrell as Principal of Sandburg High School, in light of the retirement of Deb Baker at the end of this 2017-2018 school year. “District 230 is incredibly grateful for the leadership Deb Baker has provided at…
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Still time to register for Jan. 22 OFPD CERT emergency training class Several times each year, the Orland Fire Protection District hosts a free training program to help everyday citizens learn the basics of emergency response to help family, friends or members of the public during emergencies. The effort often gives victims of heart attacks,…
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The Financially-struggling Retailer to also close 64 Kmart stores. By Steve Neuhaus The Sears store located at Orland Square Mall is among 39 Sears stores scheduled to close by early April 2018. Sears Holdings, which is the parent company of Sears and Kmart, notified their employees that it will be closing it’s doors. The retailer…
Holidays today are not like holidays of the past It was so much better in the “old days.” Movie theaters were more enjoyable and traveling on airlines and even cruises were simpler. We knew what we were getting upfront for the single cost we paid. Today, traveling is a gamble, and going to the movie…
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Arab American Democratic Club urges Pritzker to apologize Arab Americans in Illinois called on gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker Wednesday to publicly apologize for insensitive comments he made in which he accused a Muslim American group of being “terrorists” when he ran for Congress in 1998. Arab American Democratic Club President Samir Khalil said the comment…
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Five Southwest and West suburban communities named among state’s safest Five Southwest and West suburban communities were named as being among the safest communities to live in the State of Illinois in a new survey released by SafeHome. The five communities listed in the state’s top 20 are Des Plaines (#6), Tinley Park (#8), Oak…
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Who are the Arabs of the Southwest Suburbs? The recent personal attacks against a trustee in Palos Township has sparked a discussion about who are the Arabs of Chicagoland. I have spent most of my life studying and writing about the American Arab community, authoring dissertations and studies on them at Northern Illinois and the…
Prairie Fire in Orland Park put out by OFPD The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a reported brush fire at 135th and Wolf Road on Friday. The fire call was reported at around 1:30 pm. On arrival, firefighters found an area of tall grass and brush burning. Fire response crews worked about 45 minutes…
Sandburg HS cracking down on e-Cigarettes and vapes Southwest suburban high school cracks down on students using e-cigarettes and vapes, warning it is a health hazard to students and also a local municipal crime. By Ray Hanania The principal of one of the Southwest Suburb’s largest high schools announced Friday that disciplinary action will be…
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All you can eat Brazilian steak houses One of my favorite restaurants is the Brazilian steakhouse where waiters serve the Churrascaria food selections on skewers one slice at a time with a huge salad bar in the background. Texas de Brazil is at the top of the list but I have enjoyed them all including…
Orland Fire District to recognize CERT Graduates Tuesday Nov. 28 A new class of community residents who are trained in basic emergency response procedures will be recognized by the Orland Fire Protection District at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 28. The graduates are everyday citizens who participate in the Fire District’s nationally recognized…
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Orland Park police in action, nabbing a suspect at Mall Aaron411u.com caught this on tape tonight as I was driving … Orland Police nab a suspect fleeing the Orland Park Mall today, at the circle drive on the north side of the mall Click here to view the video or use the widget below: The…
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5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Bands Delight Crowd By Steve Neuhaus / @stephenneuhaus On Wednesday evening, Jerling Junior High School in Orland Park held their “Winter Concert” for family and friends. The show featured several musical selections performed by the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands including: Sousa Spectacular, We Wish You a Merry…