Category: Releases

City Paid Tens of Millions in Overtime to Potentially Ineligible Employees, OIG Finds

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

City Paid Tens of Millions in Overtime to Potentially Ineligible Employees, OIG Finds The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has published an advisory sent to the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Department of Finance (DOF) alerting them that from 2020 through 2024, the City paid $26.5 million in overtime to…

Chicago, Government, News, NewsWire, Releases

Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1 According to the Department of Justice’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Illinois has 461 open missing persons cases. Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement will take a new approach to these cases, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “I teamed…

Crime, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Releases, Senator Michael Hastings

The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Chicago, IL – The proposed Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs. “The only result guaranteed in…

Business, Energy, Environment, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, NewsWire, Releases

Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Chicago, IL – The Illinois Legislature should not rush to approve a battery energy storage proposal that guarantees out-of-state battery companies a 20-year profit paid for by Illinois utility customers, a leading energy ratepayer advocacy association said Wednesday. Phillip Golden, chairman…

Business, Energy, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Releases, Technology

Orland Fire Protection District now accepting applications for position of firefighter/paramedic

September 17, 2025September 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District now accepting applications for position of firefighter/paramedic Orland Fire Protection District, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District is accepting applications from the public for the position of firefighter/paramedic. Individuals who are between 21 and 35 years of age can apply, with certain minimum required qualifications. The starting salary for new…

Employment, Fire, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Releases

Orland Fire hosts Coffee & Conversation on individual fatigue and personal health

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire hosts Coffee & Conversation on individual fatigue and personal health Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District will host its monthly Coffee & Conversation for the public on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, featuring two speakers who will address individual fatigue and how to empower your personal health and activism. Residents of…

Events, Fire, Health, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Releases, Seniors

John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally

August 11, 2025August 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Chicago, elections, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, Maria Pappas, News, news release, NewsWire, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission The Orland Fire Protection District’s Board of Fire Commissioners on Monday, July 7, 2025, administered the Oath of Office to Mohammed Jaber, 42, to fill a vacancy on the three-member board. The Fire Commission reviews and recommends issues related to the hiring of firefighters and…

Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Subject Arrested in Connection with Fatal Orland Park Traffic Crash

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Subject Arrested in Connection with Fatal Orland Park Traffic Crash The Orland Park Police Department Thursday, June 5, 2025, announced the arrest of Robert Barajar of Tinley Park in connection with the fatal collision that occurred in the early morning hours of May 31, 2025, at 15900 S. Harlem Avenue, Orland Park. At approximately 3:13…

Crime, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Police, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire District elects woman Board President

May 7, 2025June 15, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire District elects woman Board President Orland Fire Protection District Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, who recently won re-election to a six-year term as Trustee, was elected on Tuesday (May 5, 2025) to serve as the Fire District’s first woman Board President in the past two decades. Damas Kaspar was sworn into her second term along…

breaking news, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Photos, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Lyons Township Democrats celebrate public support at annual fundraiser

May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lyons Township Democrats celebrate public support at annual fundraiser Officials of the Lyons Township Democratic Organization celebrated their growing public support at a fundraiser Thursday at the American Legion Hall in La Grange. Lyons Township Democratic Committeeman Steve Landek and Township Supervisor Christopher Getty welcomed the attendees at the event, which was themed to celebrate…

Bridgeview, Events, Mike Porfirio, News, NewsWire, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

Orland Fire Board salutes outgoing members Brudnak and Schirmacher

April 23, 2025April 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Board salutes outgoing members Brudnak and Schirmacher Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) honored the service of two outgoing Board Trustees on Tuesday, (April 22, 2025) President John Brudnak and Treasurer Jayne Schirmacher. The OFPD will administer the Oath of Office at ceremonies to be held in early May to an incumbent…

Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Releases

Vehicles crash in Orland Park and one careens into a nearby home Friday April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Vehicles crash in Orland Park and one careens into a nearby home Friday April 4, 2025 Two vehicles crashed at 151st and just east of 80th Avenue in Orland Park (at Meadow Lane), about a half block east of 80th Avenue and near the Orland Fire Protection District Station #2, on Friday morning April 4,…

accident, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Independent Candidates for Orland Fire Protection District announce their slate

March 5, 2025March 8, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Independent Candidates for Orland Fire Protection District announce their slate Three seats are up for election on April 1 for the Orland Fire Protection District’s Board of Trustees and three slates of candidates are competing for those seats. The independent slate, Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety, includes two Orland Fire Protection District officials, incumbent Trustee…

elections, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Tinley Park

Top Winter Fire Hazards in America, According to New Study

January 3, 2025January 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Top Winter Fire Hazards in America, According to New Study Fire numbers are lowest in December compared to the rest of the year, so January is a good time to start being more cautious. Cooking equipment ranked highly among the greatest fire hazards in winter. The clothes dryer ranked as the fourth most reported home equipment…

Crime, Festival, Fire, News, NewsWire, Releases, Veterans

PRESS RELEASE: Town Hall meeting in Orland Park Wednesday to address 3 NEW TIFS and impact on taxpayers, homeowners

October 27, 2024October 28, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

PRESS RELEASE: Town Hall meeting in Orland Park Wednesday to address 3 NEW TIFS and impact on taxpayers, homeowners Town Hall meeting will explain and identify issues with Orland Park’s current Triangle TIF and 3 New TIFs being considered by Village of Orland Park Tom Tresser, a recognized authority on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts…

breaking news, Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

District 230 Board of Education appoints new member

September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

District 230 Board of Education appoints new member The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education appointed Orland Park resident Chris Kasmer to serve out a vacant term of office until April 2025. Kasmer serves as president of Carpenters Local 1027 and is in his 14th year as a trustee to the Chicago Transit…

Education, News, NewsWire, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Bridgeview police arrest suspect in 2023 and 2024 Jewelry store heists

September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Bridgeview police arrest suspect in 2023 and 2024 Jewelry store heists On July 13 2023, the Jawahir Jewelry store (8454 S. Harlem ) was the victim of an armed robbery. On January 09 2024, the Jerusalem Jewelry store (9070 S. Harlem) was also robbed. Both of these store suffered substantial losses. Both of these occurrences…

Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Releases