Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Pappas Study Calls for Halt to Runaway Property Taxes Cook County property taxes have grown at twice the rate of inflation over the past three decades, forcing home and business owners to turn over an ever-greater percentage of their annual earnings to local governments, according to a study released Monday by Treasurer Maria Pappas. During…
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Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66 & America’s 250th! HOT ROD POWER TOUR & HOT ROD DRAG WEEK. THE SUMMER’S ULTIMATE ROAD TRIPS ON THE LEGENDARY HIGHWAY Plan Your Trip Now For Route 66 in 2026! (LOS ANGELES) March 18, 2026 — This year the mighty HOT ROD Power Tour in June and the highly competitive…
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OLPL to Open “Founding Families of Oak Lawn” Local History Exhibit OAK LAWN, Ill.—Monday, March 23, 2026—Oak Lawn Public Library will open its new Local History exhibit, “Founding Families of Oak Lawn.” It will be followed by a reception for the exhibit Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Library’s Encore Room. As America…
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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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Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person Column: Your Property Taxes with the Cook County Treasurer In 1789, Ben Franklin wrote that nothing was certain “except death and taxes.” Let’s focus on the taxes part of the great American statesman’s uncomfortable reminder: The…
Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes By Ray Hanania Ted Dabrowski is one of four candidates running for the Republican nomination for Illinois Governor in the March 17 Republican primary election. But he is the only one who is speaking to the real challenges of fast-rising…
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Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is calling for support on legislation aimed at addressing online prediction platforms that allow users to wager money on real world events while avoiding the licensing and oversight required of regulated gambling operators in Illinois. “These…
Women Leaders Come Together for Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch On Friday, March 6th, the Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch was held to celebrate women leaders throughout the 16th District. The event was hosted by Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar, 16th District Commissioner on Women’s Issues Claudia Ayala, Hillside Mayor…
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Orland Firefighters extinguish townhome fire Saturday, resident slightly injured Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a home fire on the 9100 Block of Greencastle Lane on Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2026, hampered by numerous obstructions officials referred to as “possible hoarding.” One resident was treated for minor injuries. Firefighters with…
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Bridgeview police rescue hostages early Sunday morning in domestic squabble Bridgeview, IL – The Bridgeview Police were assisted by SWAT Officers late Saturday night (March 7) in response to a report of an armed gunman in a domestic hostage situation and the “aggravated discharge” of a weapon. The report involved a domestic argument between the…
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Lyons Mayor Chris Getty Announces Candidacy for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District Videos of the announcement are at the end of the news story to view. Chicago, IL – Chris Getty, elected the youngest mayor in Illinois at age 26, announced Thursday that he is a candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 4th District, following U.S. Rep….
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Important News: Support Dan Balanoff running for 8th SubCircuit District Judge An important judicial race that you should take the time to support when you vote on March 17, 2026, is that of Dan Balanoff. He’s not a political attorney, but a very competent Estate Planning and Probate Attorney. Make sure to give him your…
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Regional leaders endorse John Harrell for 8th Illinois House District Chicago, IL – More than a dozen elected officials and regional leaders have endorsed John Harrell for the 8th Illinois House District representing the West Side of Chicago and West suburban communities. The co-founder of Black Men United and Pastor of both Proviso M.B.C. in…
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Rep. Ryan Secures Funding for Special Bus Lane in Evergreen Park State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, has secured funding for the construction of a “queue jump” bus lane in Evergreen Park on 95th St. and Western Ave. that will allow buses a seven-second start at stoplights ahead of other lanes. “I’m thrilled that this…
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Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill name and address information Your Property Taxes with The Cook County Treasurer offers insight on services available at the Treasurer’s Office to homeowners You may not look forward to receiving your property tax bill, but it’s crucial that you get it. Not getting it can…
Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is spearheading legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis. “Every second matters…
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How a Treasurer’s Office Study Closed a Loophole that Allowed Wealthy Investors to Siphon Hundreds of Millions of Dollars from Low-Income areas For years, wealthy investors exploited loopholes in the property tax system to funnel money from local schools and governments into their collective wallets. But the loopholes were closed after a Cook County Treasurer’s…
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Endorses Richard Boykin for 7th Congressional District Seat Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is throwing her support behind former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin in his quest to become the next US Congressman in the 7th District. In her video announcement, Pappas points out that Boykin was one of her…