Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds By Maria Pappas Every year, many Cook County homeowners are bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from vendors offering to help secure property tax refunds — for a fee. But here’s the truth: You don’t need to pay…
Read More “Don’t Pay for What You Can Get for Free: How to Claim Your Property Tax Refunds ” »
Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against former mayor Keith Pekau, ordering him to immediately remove his publication of the Village’s confidential information he received access to while in office, and…
Jotaka Eaddy endorses Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate Jotaka Eaddy, founder of Win with Black Women and a nationally renowned business executive, social impact strategist and investor, today endorsed Robin Kelly for the U.S. Senate. “All of us win when we elect Robin Kelly to the U.S. Senate,” Eaddy said. “Robin is a proven fighter…
Read More “Jotaka Eaddy endorses Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate” »
Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy Seven-Week Program Offers Insight into Village Operations The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Orland Park Citizens Academy, a new initiative designed to provide residents and local business owners with a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at how their local government operates….
Read More “Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy” »
Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) promoted three firefighters to the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant and Battalion Chief at a special ceremony on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at the District’s Administrative office. Joined by OFPD Trustees DJ Jeffers and Bridget Tolan, Commissioners Brian O’Neill and Mohammed…
Read More “Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony” »
John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally Community, religious, and elected leaders endorse Harrell for the 8th State House District at a press conference held at Macarthur Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Monday, April 11, 2025 Chicago, IL – John Harrel formally announced his candidacy for the…
Read More “John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally” »
Orland Firefighters battle separate apartment and home fires Friday night Three residents treated for minor injuries at the scenes, and one firefighter was taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion and released. Firefighters of the Orland Fire Protection District battled two separate fires hours apart on Friday night, one at an apartment building and another…
Read More “Orland Firefighters battle separate apartment and home fires Friday night” »
Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center The Village of Orland Park is celebrating the resounding success of its 22nd annual Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, which welcomed more than 35,000 attendees over the course of the weekend. Returning to its original home at the…
Read More “Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center” »
How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny By Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer Two times a year, my office mails nearly 1.8 million property tax bills and collects over $18 billion. That’s not a typo — $18 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system…
Read More “How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny” »
Man Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Suburban Chicago Banks and Financial Institutions A man who robbed four banks and a credit unions in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to more than seven and a half years in federal prison, the Illinois U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced Monday….
Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh, who was elected to her position with the largest vote turnout in the April 1 elections, is off to an amazing start promoting the needs of the Orland Township community. Even though Orland Township has had a…
In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run In response to an effort by retired U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush and a growing number of political and community leaders to draft him into the race for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District seat, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr….
Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries Orland Park, IL – The fast response of Orland Fire Protection District firefighters helped to quickly extinguish a fire at a popular big box retailer, Marshalls Department store on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The fire was reported at approximately 12 noon at the store’s…
Read More “Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries” »
Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run The Orland Park Police Department is actively investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on July 11, 2025, at approximately 11:40 pm, in the vicinity of the 18400 block of LaGrange Rd. Officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of a traffic crash wherein a pedestrian was…
Read More “Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run” »
Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Northwestern Medicine sponsors Aug 1-3 event packed with music, food and entertainment The Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, will return to the Village Center from Aug. 1-3. “We are thrilled to bring the Taste of Orland Park back to…
Read More “Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities” »
Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt Newly elected Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge detailed the problems that former Mayor Keith Pekau left to the taxpayers of the village he controlled for the past six years including an impending financial debt of $200 million. You can read the entire…
Read More “Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt” »
Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule The Chicago Wolves announced their 2025-26 American Hockey League schedule on Thursday. The franchise’s 32nd season will feature a 72-game slate beginning with the Season Opener on Oct. 11 vs. the Wild in Iowa. The Wolves’ Home Opener will be Oct. 18 against the rival Rockford IceHogs at…
Read More “Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule” »
Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN By Maria Pappas If you own property in Cook County, there’s one number you should always know: your PIN. That’s short for Property Index Number—a 14-digit code assigned to every piece of real estate in the county. It’s tied to the legal description…
Read More “Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN” »