Suburban Chicagoland News & Opinion

Hastings files bill to protect homeowners from post-storm contractor scams

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings files bill to protect homeowners from post-storm contractor scams State Senator Michael E. Hastings filed legislation aimed at protecting Illinois homeowners from deceptive and high-pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather and natural disasters. “After a major storm, families are overwhelmed and trying to protect their homes, not negotiate contracts on their front…

breaking news, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Man Arrested for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Man Arrested for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse On January 28, 2026, the Orland Park Police Department arrested Brett Smith, 43, following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a juvenile and the advertising of private tutoring services on social media. Smith turned himself in at the Orland Park Police Department after detectives attempted to…

Crime, Law, News, Orland Park, Police

Chicago Couple Among Nine Individuals Charged in Federal Drug Investigation

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Couple Among Nine Individuals Charged in Federal Drug Investigation A federal drug investigation has resulted in criminal charges against nine individuals for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Chicago area. The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chicago Police Department, utilized covert surveillance operations, undercover narcotics purchases, and wiretapped communications to…

Crime, Federal, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, U.S. Attorney

How a Treasurer’s Office Study Closed a Loophole that Allowed Wealthy Investors to Siphon Hundreds of Millions of Dollars from Low-Income areas

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

How a Treasurer’s Office Study Closed a Loophole that Allowed Wealthy Investors to Siphon Hundreds of Millions of Dollars from Low-Income areas For years, wealthy investors exploited loopholes in the property tax system to funnel money from local schools and governments into their collective wallets. But the loopholes were closed after a Cook County Treasurer’s…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Leving Team Court Victory Gave a Little Girl the Gift of a Lifetime – Her Father

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Court Victory Gave a Little Girl the Gift of a Lifetime – Her Father By Laura Reichel When a father loses precious time with his child, every day apart feels endless. Dad, who had been embroiled in a bitter and complicated divorce, was desperate to be with his daughter. He turned to attorney…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Hastings introduces legislation to strengthen cannabis safety and prevent child access

January 28, 2026January 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings introduces legislation to strengthen cannabis safety and prevent child access State Senator Michael E. Hastings introduced Senate Bill 2866, legislation designed to strengthen safety requirements for cannabis products and reduce the risk of accidental ingestion by children. “While cannabis is legal for adult use in Illinois, we must continue to take responsible steps to…

Health, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire

Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 48 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 48 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 48 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Tercalo E. Thomas enticed, persuaded, and used a prepubescent minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct, which…

Crime, Federal, Law, News, U.S. Attorney

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Endorses Richard Boykin for 7th Congressional District Seat

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Endorses Richard Boykin for 7th Congressional District Seat Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is throwing her support behind former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin in his quest to become the next US Congressman in the 7th District. In her video announcement, Pappas points out that Boykin was one of her…

Chicago, elections, Federal, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Dad and Sons Reunited After Painful Separation

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad and Sons Reunited After Painful Separation By Laura Reichel An unwed father from Illinois had been happily raising his two young sons. Though separated from their mother, he maintained regular, meaningful parenting time with his boys and was deeply involved in their daily lives. Unfortunately, dad’s parenting time wasn’t court-ordered, so it was entirely at…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Orland Fire Protection District cautions homeowners on using alternative sources for heat inside homes

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District cautions homeowners on using alternative sources for heat inside homes OFPD, IL – Officials of the Orland Fire Protection District on Thursday cautioned homeowners on using alternative sources of heat for their homes, warning they could easily cause fires. With the cost of heating a home rising, many homeowners have turned…

Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, safety, Suburban Chicagoland

Cicero Man Charged in Fatal Stabbing

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero Man Charged in Fatal Stabbing A 54-year-old Cicero man is facing a murder charge in connection with the fatal stabbing of another man, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. Just before 4 a.m. on Jan. 19, Cook County Sheriff’s Police responded to the 5000 block of South Luna Avenue in unincorporated Stickney…

Cook County, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

City Paid Tens of Millions in Overtime to Potentially Ineligible Employees, OIG Finds

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

City Paid Tens of Millions in Overtime to Potentially Ineligible Employees, OIG Finds The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has published an advisory sent to the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Department of Finance (DOF) alerting them that from 2020 through 2024, the City paid $26.5 million in overtime to…

Chicago, Government, News, NewsWire, Releases

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information On January 20, 2026, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland denied former Mayor Keith Pekau’s motion to dissolve the existing Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), allowing the Village’s lawsuit…

Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Park Village Board Approves First-of-Its-Kind Amazon Retail Store at 159th Street and LaGrange Road

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Village Board Approves First-of-Its-Kind Amazon Retail Store at 159th Street and LaGrange Road Orland Park Village Board Approves First-of-Its-Kind Amazon Retail Store at 159th Street and LaGrange At its January 19, 2026 meeting, the Orland Park Village Board approved a first-of-its-kind Amazon retail store at the southwest corner of 159th Street and LaGrange…

Business, construction, Editors Pick, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Leving Law Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Maximizing Client Success through Follow-Up and More

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Law Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Maximizing Client Success through Follow-Up and More By Laura Reichel CHICAGO — The nationally acclaimed Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on January 21st at 6:30 p.m. CST at 225 W. Wacker…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Chicago, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire

Women Employed Issues “Damage Report” on One-Year Anniversary of Second Trump Administration, Vows Continued Fight for Working Women and Families

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Women Employed Issues “Damage Report” on One-Year Anniversary of Second Trump Administration, Vows Continued Fight for Working Women and Families On the one-year anniversary of the second Trump administration, Women Employed (WE) released a “Damage Report” detailing the administration’s “swift and unrelenting actions” that constitute “direct attacks on workers’ rights, women’s freedoms, and the fundamental…

Business, Employment, News, women

Congressional Candidate, Donna Miller, Receives Endorsement from Elect Democratic Women

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congressional Candidate, Donna Miller, Receives Endorsement from Elect Democratic Women Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who is running to represent the 2nd Congressional District, is proud to receive the endorsement of Elect Democratic Women. This political action committee is made up of current members of Congress who know the leadership qualities needed to serve the…

elections, Federal, Health, News, news release, NewsWire, Politics

Orland Fire announces dates for popular Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs

January 17, 2026January 17, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Orland Fire announces dates for popular Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs The Orland Fire Protection District announced this week the scheduled dates for the popular and upcoming Kids Camp (June 15) and the Junior Cadet program (June 16), urging parents to mark their calendars for the events and for registration. OFPD Program Coordinator Betsy…

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