Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Controversy in Lyons SD 103 Hiring teacher charged in shooting fuels outrage By Steve Metsch Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty and other elected officials are calling for sweeping changes at Lyons School District 103 after it was learned a sixth-grade teacher who has been charged with attempted murder was hired in August. Getty, the father of…
Durkin faces rare challenge Darien Ald. Chlystek says change is needed By Steve Metsch Voters have a rarity in the 82ndHouse, a choice this Election Day. State Rep. Jim Durkin, the minority leader, is being challenged by Democrat Tom Chlystek, an alderman in Darien. Durkin was appointed to the job in 2006, won an election…
Write-ins hopeful vs. Lipinski Two challengers take on longtime Congressman By Steve Metsch In his re-election campaign, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) is facing three write-in candidates and a Republican nominee. The Republican nominee, Art Jones, and one of the write-in candidates, Richard Mayers, have alleged ties to white supremacist organizations. Kenneth Yerkes, a dentist…
Lyons improves path safety Flashing signs to be installed at three intersections By Steve Metsch The Lyons Village Board has approved an intergovernmental agreement with Cook County to provide safer travels for those using the Salt Creek Bike Trail. The board voted unanimously at its Oct. 16 meeting to install beacon lights where the trail…
Orland Park Mayor endorses Morrison, Dodge, Harold & Rauner in Nov. 6 election Keith Pekau, the mayor of Orland Park, one of the largest suburban communities in Cook County, released his endorsements for the upcoming Nov. 6, 2018 statewide and local elections. Pekau, who unseated a popular former Mayor Dan McLaughlin nearly two years ago,…
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Tollway interchange for Justice New ramps may be open in four years By Steve Metsch Justice Mayor Kris Wasowicz was beaming Tuesday morning as he chatted with various elected and state agency officials as they stood on a gravel parking lot overlooking the Tri-State Tollway. It was cold. It was windy. And Wasowicz felt like…
Summit honors Kurcz Firehouse named for family that donated land By Steve Metsch An honor that was 20 years in the making has finally happened in Summit. At the urging of Mayor Sergio Rodriguez, the current village administration decided to dedicate the firehouse at 7339 W. 59th St. to the people who made it possible,…
New members lift Eagles Vince Gill, Deacon Frey fit well with legendary band By Steve Metsch Do you have any plans Thursday night? If not, you should take a short drive north and attend The Eagles’ concert at the new Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. After seeing Monday night’s concert at the United Center, I’m…
High school senior says writing book will improve student grades Aaron Hanania will sign copies of his new book at an event on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at the Oak Lawn Library from 6 pm until 8 pm, and discuss how young students can become better students through disciplined writing and storytelling. A writing project…
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Portage to the future Groups seek to promote historic Lyons site By Steve Metsch Driving on busy Harlem Avenue, just north of the Stevenson Expressway, you may have noticed a statue if you glanced west. It’s a towering statue of a native American, Louis Joliet, Father Marquette and a canoe, recalling their visit in 1673….
Bridgeview may improve range Sewer inspections also on village board’s agenda By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board was thinking beneath the surface at its latest meeting. The board approved a contract that will review its sanitary sewer system for illegal hookups. The board also okayed an agreement that will allow Advocate Christ Medical Center…
Improvising pays for Nazareth Punt turned touchdown highlights 49-20 win By Steve Metsch You know it’s your night when your punter, sensing an imminent blocked kick, scampers 57 yards untouched for a touchdown. With Nazareth leading 28-7 early in the third quarter Friday night, Michael Love was set to punt from his 43-yard line. Noticing…
Railroad flyover discussed Plan would have impact on Summit By Steve Metsch Reducing the risk of potential accidents, along with ending delays in commuter railroad service, are goals of a proposed “flyover” that could be built from Harlem Avenue alongside the canal to Willow Springs. It’s all part of sweeping rail improvements proposed by the…
Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21 Dozens of Democratic candidates running in the November 6, 2018 General election will be showcased at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast & Brunch on Sunday, October 21 hosted by The Arab American Democratic Club. The keynote speakers at the event are Illinois House Speaker Michael J….
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District 103 administration excels in politics, name-calling and lies Officials who have taken over the administration of the District 103 schools in Chicagoland’s west suburbs have turned the schools into a base of political activity. And its superintendent has made no bones about how he plans to use his “educational” position through biased reporting at…
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Media spins politics in state government issues The Daily Herald has been doing a lot of stories critical of the Illinois Tollway Authority. Some think it has less to do with good journalism and more to do with the friendship between the newspaper’s reporter and a controversial member of the Tollway Authority board who has…
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Lyons buys new fire engine Village board welcomes new police officer By Steve Metsch A new fire engine is being purchased by Lyons. It’s one of three vehicles being purchased by the village. The village board, at its Sept. 18 meeting, unanimously approved buying the three vehicles with the biggest being a new fire engine….
Lyons honors employees Four have a combined 111 years service By Steve Metsch The Lyons Village Board honored four employees with plaques recognizing their longtime service. The four have a combined 111 years working for the village. Rich Vabro has worked 30 years with the water department, is the foreman. Vabro “is very vital to…