Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
U2 rocks and preaches Band gets messages across in dazzling concert By Steve Metsch When a band has been a staple on radio stations for 38 years, its easy to phone it in. Play the big hits known by even the most casual of listeners, toss in two or three new songs, and call it…
Bridgeview a perfect fit New firefighter/paramedic excited to join department By Steve Metsch Kris Aguilar has long wanted to help people. And, he doesn’t mind dashing into burning buildings. Put those two qualities together and he’s ready for his new job. Aguilar, 29, was sworn in as a Bridgeview firefighter/paramedic by Mayor Steve Landek at…
Camp Lyons opens June 4 Summer camp to include more field trips By Steve Metsch Registration is open for Camp Lyons, a summer camp which promises to be bigger and better than last year with more emphasis on field trips. The 11-week camp starts on Monday, June 4 and runs through Frida, Aug. 17, said…
Advantage: Bridgeview police Nip firefighters in basketball game for charity By Steve Metsch Bridgeview Fire Chief Mike Daly, Police Chief Ricardo Mancha, and the village trustees had fun at the last village board meeting talking about the recent “Battle of the Badges” basketball game played between the police and fire departments. The police won by…
LED to save money Township of Lyons to install new lighting at HQ By Steve Metsch The Lyons Township headquarters, 6404 Joliet Road, Countryside, is getting new lighting that is expected to save on electric bills. The building will have all LED lighting, Township Supervisor Christopher Getty said. “We had a free assessment from ComEd…
Popular Lyons chicken BBQ returns Mustangs host 64th annual event June 10 By Steve Metsch The Lyons Mustangs Athletic Club will soon hold its chicken BBQ, an annual tradition in the village now in its 64thyear. This year’s cookout will be held from noon to 7 p.m. June 10 at the Mustangs Hall, 4047 Leland…
“Just Judy” tells Topinka’s story Son writes book about popular Illinois pol The son of the late Judy Baar Topinka is a hoping a book he’s written about this mother can teach valuable lessons to our youths. Joseph Baar Topinka, 50, who now lives in Texas and teaches employment law at Texas State University, has…
Summit cleans up boat launch Village hopes to develop recreational site By Steve Metsch Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez and other village officials, along with dozens of volunteers, were at the old boat launch site, 7800 Canal Bank Road, the morning of May 12 for a cleanup of the canal. At the May 7 s village…
Rauner puts focus back on residents, not criminals Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is speaking out for the rights of crime victims, making them the priority and reversing a trend in which the focus has been placed on the criminals. Suspects convicted of mass murder or killing law enforcement officers deserve the death penalty. Rauner should…
Read More “Rauner puts focus back on residents, not criminals” »
Destroying American history because of racial politics The wave of attacks against symbols of the civil war is undermining the history of this nation for political reasons and is driven by a form of reverse racism. Statues and markers recognizing icons of the South from the civil war are being targeted because of reverse racism…
Read More “Destroying American history because of racial politics” »
Orland Park Mayor disappointed in Trustees’ rejection of concert series plan The Orland Park Village board, still angry over the voter’s rejection of Dan McLaughlin as Mayor and the election of Keith Pekau, continue to block Pekau’s ideas and proposals. Critics have accused the new board of continuing to put politics over the best interests…
Read More “Orland Park Mayor disappointed in Trustees’ rejection of concert series plan” »
Illinois ranks as 7th best state for Police Officers In a comparison of all 50 states and how they treat their police officers, Illinois ranked 7th best. Rankings weighed safety, benefits and salaries among a host of criteria, according to a study prepared by WalletHub With National Police Week kicking off on May 13, the…
Read More “Illinois ranks as 7th best state for Police Officers” »
Orland Fire offers tips on avoiding mishaps while barbecuing Safe grilling is the topic May 24 at the Orland Fire Protection District’s monthly program “Coffee and Conversations” which addresses a wide range of topics involving family and personal safety. How to barbecue safely and avoid mishaps is the topic of this month’s “Coffee and Conversation” hosted…
Read More “Orland Fire offers tips on avoiding mishaps while barbecuing” »
Online shopping killing retail stores and our families, too The closings of Toys-R-Us, Carsons and other major retailers is a sign of weakness in our economy and the erosion of family life, shifting from personal family involvement to individual use of computers and technology. It’s not just about an economic problem. It’s about the weakening…
Read More “Online shopping killing retail stores and our families, too” »
IDOT awards $36 million to enhance Illinois transportation IDOT Awards $36 Million in Federal Grants to Enhance Transportation in Illinois Communities. Competitive ITEP grant emphasizes bicycle, pedestrian and streetscape projects aimed at improving travel and quality of life The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced a nearly $36 million investment to expand travel options and…
Read More “IDOT awards $36 million to enhance Illinois transportation” »
Illinois Holocaust Museum wins Architecture Award, named one of state’s 200 Great Places The Illinois Council of The American Institute of Architects (AIA Illinois) has named Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center as one of Illinois’ 200 Great Places, in honor of the state’s Bicentennial in 2018. The announcement was made as part of National…
CUB to host meeting in Palos Township to help consumers save money Palos Township will be hosting a Citizens Utility Board (CUB) event on May 30, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. A free mini breakfast with coffee, juice and donuts will be offered to attendees, donated by Palos Township Trustee Sharon Branigan. Branigan,…
Read More “CUB to host meeting in Palos Township to help consumers save money” »
Teenager uses iPhone 6 to write his first novel A 16 year old teenager from Chicago’s Southwest suburbs has published his first novel, “TheKing’s Pawn.” And Aaron Hanania explains he wrote the book only using his iPhone 6. Here’s the plot: A scientist creates a revolutionary experiment, The King’s Pawn, in which the participants are…
Read More “Teenager uses iPhone 6 to write his first novel” »