Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Trump declares Illinois a Major Disaster Area President Donald Trump declared the State of Illinois a “major disaster” area. The designation qualifies Illinois for Federal funding support to deal with the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. The designation was made despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s partisan political pot-shots against Trump. At nearly every press conference…
Illinois unemployment surges in wake of coronavirus restrictions on businesses Unemployment Rate Dropped to New Historic Low in February, While State Sees Significant Increase in Unemployment Claims in March While the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 3.4 percent, a new record low, the…
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Pritzker announces 330 new coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Illinois Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said that the number of Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Illinois increased by 330 and that there are three COVID-19 related deaths. The Governor also announced he was extending the deadline for income tax filings and providing a $90 million program to help…
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Saving a life McCook cop prevents woman’s likely fatal fall By Steve Metsch McCook Police Officer Michael Buenik said it was just another night at the office and that ”anyone else would have done this.” “This” was his saving a woman’s life in the wee hours. Buenik, 28, was honored at the McCook Village Board…
“No regrets” Lipinski reflects on campaign, primary loss By Steve Metsch After his close defeat in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (3rd) reflected on 15 years in Congress and what lies ahead. Lipinski narrowly lost the primary to Marie Newman, whom he had defeated in a close race in 2018. Lipinski had…
Keeping their distance Virus caution: Bridgeview trustees sit far apart By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board had a new look at its most recent meeting. There are no new trustees. Nor was the meeting room redecorated. Rather, the six trustees, mayor, clerk and attorney were spread out. “It’s because of the corona virus,” village…
Virus delays Summit Next village meeting pushed back two weeks By Steve Metsch In response to the coronavirus, the Summit Village Board has decided to delay its first meeting in April. Normally, the board meets on the first and third Monday each month. With a nod to CDC recommendations that no groups should be larger…
Illinois Announces rising New Cases of COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease We will update this page as the new cases of coronavirus are reported. The number of new cases of coronavirus COVID-19 jumps from 168 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday March 21 to 296 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday March 22. New cases reported every…
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Township buses get special care Cleansed after use; ill seniors to skip rides By Steve Metsch The coronavirus has led to a heightened sense of awareness for everyone, including the Township of Lyons senior services department, which provides buses that take residents to and from doctors’ offices, grocery stores and other appointments. “We disinfect the…
Virus claims parks, libraries Bridgeview Park District among few open By Steve Metsch In an attempt to slow spreading the coronavirus, scores of public facilities are closing their doors around the nation The Lyons, La Grange and Summit park district facilities are closed. However, the Bridgeview Park District is remaining open. The Summit, Lyons, Bedford Park…
Time out for bars, restaurants Owner hopes closings contains coronavirus By Steve Metsch Nick Mataragas knows that Gov. JB Pritzker’s decision to close all restaurants and bars in the state to dine-in customers will cost him money, but he understands the importance of the governor’s latest step to combat the spread of coronavirus….
Newman claims victory over Lipinski in 3rd Congressional District Marie Newman, a progressive Democrat, is being hailed as the victor in the tough-fought battle for the 3rd Congressional District seat, defeating five-term incumbent Dan Lipinski, a conservative Democrat. The winner of the Democratic Primary will easily win the election on Nov. 3, 2020 as the…
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First Illinois Coronavirus disease death announced The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the first death of an Illinois resident who tested positive for the Coronavirus COVID-19, a Chicago resident in her 60s. Health officials are closely monitoring outbreak at long-term care facility in DuPage County The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today…
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Arab groups divided on Illinois 3rd Congressional District battle Three of Illinois’ leading political organizations released endorsements in key elections in Illinois’ March 17, 2020 Democratic Primary races. Although all three endorsed the same candidates, they differed on one key contest, the closely contested battle for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District held by incumbent…
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Fear and dread in the USA Coronavirus is now all we think and talk about By Steve Metsch “It’s the end of the world as we know it It’s the end of the world as we know it” – R.E.M. That song, released in 1997, was playing in my head this morning when I strolled…
Radio Show: Illinois prepares to celebrate April Arab Heritage month Media professional Warren David joins The Arab street Radio and podcast on WNZK AM 690 Radio Friday March 13, 2020 to discuss Arab American Heritage month activities in April, and the politics of Senator Bernie Sanders. By Ray Hanania Arab Americans will be pushing to…
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Illinois identifies 25 patients with Coronavirus The World Health Organization (WHO) declares COVID-19 a “Pandemic” The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today is announcing six additional individuals have tested positive at the IDPH laboratory for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “More cases in more places in Illinois means we are seeing growing transmission of the virus in…
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IL Department of Human Services Announces First Day to Complete the 2020 Census Online Illinois residents can complete the census online starting tomorrow March 12, 2020, at my2020census.gov. IDHS refuses to provide information, however, to Arab American organizations on how the state’s $20 million funding is being appropriated and which ethnic and racial groups are being prioritized or ignored…
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