Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Senior citizen exemptions help give homeowners a break on big tax bills By Maria Pappas Senior citizens can get a break on their property tax bills, but they need to apply when seeking savings for the first time. The popular tax break is known as the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption. For homeowners already receiving the…
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Popular weekly Frankfort Country Market kicks off Sunday April 21, 2024 The Village of Frankfort will kick off the 2024 Frankfort Country Market season with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Mayor Keith Ogle and the Village Board. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 9 AM near the entrance of…
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Drug investigation leads to multiple Felony charges in drug sales at Sandburg High school In the fall of 2023, the Orland Park Police Department received information that there was a subject on snapchat selling cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms and vape pens to Sandburg students. The Orland Park Police Tactical Response Unit opened up an investigation and…
First Responder Mental Health Legislation Clears Senate The Illinois Senate passed legislation today proposed by Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart that eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for first responders seeking mental health treatment. “We ask first responders to be constantly exposed to traumatic and dangerous situations to protect us,” Sheriff Dart said. “This legislation is a…
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Orland Fire Protection District hosts Coffee & Conversation for seniors on lifesaving strategies for Seniors Fire District invites Seniors to discuss surviving hearts and strokes. Orland Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield hosts his “Coffee & Conversation” meeting Wed April 17 on lifesaving strategies Orland Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield invites the public to attend…
Joravsky and Hanania analyze today’s Chicago City Council with the past on podcast Chicago Reader journalist and podcaster Ben Joravsky, who has covered Chicago City politics since 1981, interviews former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist Ray Hanania on his special “Oh, What a Week” podcast which is available on most major podcast platforms. Hanania…
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Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park The Orland Park Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect in a vehicular hijacking that occurred on the evening of April 3, 2024. Shawn Flores, a 44-year-old Midlothian resident, faces charges following his apprehension on April 4. The incident began when a male victim was forcibly…
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Top 10 tips that help homeowners better understand their property taxes By Maria Pappas Homeowners have taught me a few things about property taxes while I have served as Cook County Treasurer. One lesson is that the property tax system is complicated. Many people unfamiliar with the process have told me that they wished there…
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Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias By Ray Hanania (Originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group newpapers): True to his colors, Orland Park’s beleaguered Mayor Keith Pekau is turning to racism and community division to base his re-election campaign. In a recent letter to “supporters,” Pekau launched his campaign using the racist slogan,…
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Leving Firm fights to keep father and children together Dad’s two children, a 12-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, had been kept from him following the death of their mother. Reportedly, Dad and the mother were never married, but they had an informal agreement where Dad would have his children on alternate weekends, and he…
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Lyons officials will join St. Baldrick’s “Fight Childhood Cancer” event Sunday March 24 The St. Baldrick’s “Fight Childhood Cancer” event will be held on Sunday March 24, 2024. This annual event is organized by the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce in Chicago at at Firewater Saloon, 6689 N Oliphant in Chicago. A performance of…
Many good candidates on March 19 Democratic primary ballot By Ray Hanania I can’t support Congressman Sean Casten this time because he betrayed a campaign promise to maintain an open door on local issues. So, I would recommend a vote for Mahnoor Ahmed, who previously worked for former Congresswoman Marie Newman who was a phenomenal…
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Windy City Blues Society presents “Blues in the Schools” performances in Willow Springs March 19 Blues In The Schools Presented by: The Windy City Blues Society & Willow Springs School District 108 Featuring: Geneva Red & The Original Delta Fireballs Willow Springs Public School (K-8), 8345 Archer Ave. Willow Springs, IL Tuesday March 19th 9:00…
Orland Park Sportsplex Annual Family Health Fair Returns March 23 The Village of Orland Park Recreation Department will hold its annual Family Health Fair on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Village of Orland Park Sportsplex, 11351 West 159th Street. Topics will address the fitness needs of the entire family. The…
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Pappas: When it comes to voting on referendums, the few decide for the many By Maria Pappas If you’ve ever voted, you’ve probably seen one. It’s a referendum, usually asking you to approve some numbers. A referendum is a proposed law on a social or economic issue on which the people can vote, even as…
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Pappas: How a few voters control the fate of more than $1 billion in new spending Statement from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas This election season, voters throughout Cook County will decide whether to repair aging schools, improve a lake front beach, shut down a fire department and give local politicians new powers to tax….
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Frankfort hosts Earth Day/Arbor Day community cleanup Saurday April 20 In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, the Village of Frankfort invites residents to participate in a community cleanup event on Saturday, April 20, 2024. This initiative encourages community members to come together and contribute to the beautification of our surroundings. EVENT DETAILS: Date…
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Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 8 Spring is almost here and with it comes the Village of Orland Park’s yearly Curbside Spring Clean-Up. This year’s collection will again be offered on residents’ regular garbage pick-up days during the week of April 8-12, 2024. Orland Park’s Curbside Spring Clean-Up is held in…
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