Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
10-year-old rides to the rescue Willow Springs boy saves lives of neighbors in house fire By Steve Metsch It’s been said that timing is everything. Just ask the Pelko family in Willow Springs. If 10-year-old Michael Pelko III had not decided to take a bicycle ride on the evening of Sept. 19, his neighbors may…
GM, Chevrolet offer tips for young job hunters Staying On Trax: Job Finding Tips From Chevrolet. Chevrolet’s talent team provides job-finding advice and tips as well as ways to use your vehicle to help while searching for jobs. Whether you’re a recent grad in pursuit of your first job, looking to make the next move in…
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Construction employment rises in response to labor shortages CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT INCREASES IN 274 OUT OF 358 METRO AREAS BETWEEN AUGUST 2016 AND 2017 AS FIRMS WORK TO COPE WITH GROWING LABOR SHORTAGES Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. and Lewiston, Idaho-Wash. Have Largest Year-over-Year Gains; Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas and Columbia, S.C. Experience Biggest Annual Declines Construction employment…
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Cicero dedicates soccer field in honor of local coach The Town of Cicero was proud to commemorate a Heritage Sign to recognize the contributions of soccer coach Laureano Robles at 19th and Laramie at the Soccer Park. Robles spent more than 25 years training young people in soccer and sports. The dedication was held on…
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Lipinski presents check for $123,810 to Cicero Fire Dept Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is announcing that the Cicero Fire Department has been awarded $123,810 through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grant will help purchase 2,600 combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. “These simple, relatively inexpensive devices have the potential…
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Orland Park Commission to salute Veterans The Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission has three important dates for the community to remember — October 6, November 5 and November 10. Friday, October 6 is the last day to add a veteran’s name to the village’s memorial in time for this year’s Veterans Day observances. Veterans…
Brannigan reaches out to Arabs and Muslims Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan offended Arabs and Muslims with broad stroke comments about immigration that pointed a finger at their race and religion. But Brannigan apologized this week, reiterating apologies she issued twice before saying that she is not anti-Arab, anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant. I understand her concerns…
Kennedy will respect Arabs, Muslims as Illinois governor Illinois gubernatorial candidate Christopher Kennedy told a gathering of influential Arab and Muslim community activists Saturday that he would defend their rights as Americans and respect their cultural and religious identities. Kennedy said when his family immigrated to America, they faced the same racism and discrimination now…
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Video: Orland Fire commemorates 9/11 victims The Orland Fire Protection District held a Memorial Service Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 to commemorate and remember first responders and Americans who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks 16 years ago. The service was held at the OFPD’s Firefighter Memorial at its headquarters in Orland Park, 9790 West…
ISO awards Orland Fire District with highest safety rating New elevated ranking will help reduce insurance costs for district residents The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has raised the rating for the Orland Fire Protection District from Class 2 to Class 1, the highest evaluation rating which assesses the response effectiveness of fire departments around the…
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Painful to watch news reports on flooding The reports of the massive flooding in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey are depressing and remind me of floods that slammed Illinois in 1996. Flooding is so much more damaging to regional populations and governments are not equipped to handle it. By Ray Hanania Flooding isn’t like a…
Argo High opens “amazing” Portillo Center Donation from hot dog chain founder helps build $17 million center By Steve Metsch Moments before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Richard and Sharon Portillo Performing Arts Center at Argo Community High School, school board trustee Nick Caprio smiled when asked about the interior. “It’s beyond my expectations….
Rauner protects suburban schools against Chicago fund grab Gov. Bruce Rauner won his battle against the bloated and failed Chicago public schools forcing the legislature to significantly cut-back additional funding to bailout Chicago and redistribute those monies to needy suburban and state school systems that had been ignored. The plan also allows a 75 percent…
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RTA approves projects for Seniors and disabled RTA Board Approves Projects to Benefit Seniors and People with Disabilities The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board has approved funding for twelve projects through the federally-funded Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program. The RTA will administer a total of $14,936,856 million, including $8,756,052 in federal…
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Orland Fire Protection District presents lifesaving commendations Good samaritans and Lifetime Fitness employees among those recognized by Orland Fire District Tuesday OFPD Fire Chief Mike Schofield and the Board of Trustees set aside time at the beginning of the August 22nd Board of Trustee’s meeting to receive the following awards: Firefighter Doug DePersia brought up…
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Bridgeview police search for armed suspect Suspect sought in Bridgeview assault. On Aug 17, 2017 at approximately 11:05 AM, Officers of the Bridgeview Police Department responded to an armed robbery, which had just occurred at the Salvation Army store located at 9000 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, Illinois. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a 31-year-old female victim [name withheld]…
Bridgeview looks to add hotel Lodging near Toyota Park for soccer and music fans By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board voted 6-0 at its Aug. 2 meeting to rezone 2.2 acres of the south parking lot at Toyota Park with an eye toward future development. During the meeting, Mayor Steve Landek said, “That’s rezoning…
Eclipse viewing downstate for Lyons Township students Chance to witness rare solar event is too big to ignore By Steve Metsch About 40 students from Lyons Township High School will have a memorable first day of school Aug. 21. They will arrive at the north campus no later than 5:15 a.m., climb into a coach…
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