Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else
$22.5 Million Jury Verdict Against Naperville in One of Illinois’ Largest-Ever Wrongful Conviction Verdicts Late on Monday, August 5, 2024, a Federal jury delivered one of the state’s largest-ever wrongful conviction verdicts against a Naperville police officer for framing William Amor for an alleged 1995 arson-murder that turned out to be an accidental fire. Amor,…
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Plan to Allow Leftover College Savings Funds to Be Used For Retirement Signed Into Law Treasurer Michael Frerichs Thanks Governor, Lawmakers for Bipartisan Approval Parents who don’t use all the money in their Illinois 529 College Savings Accounts (Bright Start and Bright Directions) are now able to roll over the…
Divorced dad recovered thousands in back child support By Laura Reichel A struggling Chicago dad survived a divorce several years ago. However, after the divorce, his ex refused to pay child support he badly needed to the point where she owed a sizeable chunk of money – many thousands of dollars. Chicago matrimonial attorney Jeffery…
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Pappas: New Payment Plan Calculator helps homeowners pay late taxes in smaller increments to avoid ‘merciless’ Annual Tax Sale Cook County property owners have a free financial planning tool that can help them pay off their past-due property tax bills and avoid the “merciless” Annual Tax Sale, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today. A Payment Plan…
Arab, Muslims and Chaldeans in key swing states meet with Arab Americans for Trump Arab American supporters of President Donald Trump are hosting meetings in Michigan and soon in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Virginia and several more key swing states during the next three months. Arab Americans for Trump is also arranging meetings with key community leaders…
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Sale-in-error study shows how tax buyers transfer wealth from low-income areas By Maria Pappas My office redesigned this year’s property tax bills to clearly show where your tax dollars go. On the front of every bill, you can see how much of your hard-earned money goes to each taxing body What is less visible, however,…
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Orland Fire District audit shows financial strength and responsibility Orland Fire District, Il — The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) released its official annual audit on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 that reflects solid financial management and a “great respect” for the interests of taxpayers. Audits of government agencies are mandated by State Law in order…
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The Mike Madigan I know did much for the Southwest region By Ray Hanania I was first introduced to Mike Madigan in 1978 by then Chicago Mayor Michael A. Bilandic. The mayor told me, a cub reporter at the time, to keep an eye on him because he was a “rising star.” As it turns…
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Treasurer Maria Pappas sending $22 million in automatic refunds to more than 10,000 who overpaid property taxes Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is sending more than $22 million in automatic refunds to more than 10,000 property owners who overpaid their property taxes last year. “For many senior citizens and others, the value of tax breaks…
No injuries at home fire in unincorporated Orland Township A homeowner at the 16500 Block of Lee Avenue in unincorporated Orland Township on Tuesday night, July 23, 2024, called 911 to report that he suspected his property may have been struck by lightning. He reported experiencing some electrical issues during the apparent strike to a…
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Dad won in court vs. relatives to recover his children and brought them home By Laura Reichel A loving father whose relatives turned against him needed legal help to prevent his children from being taken away from him. Chicago matrimonial attorney Jeffery M. Leving will discuss this complex court victory on the Dads’ Rights Legal…
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Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Parental Responsibilities for Non-Parents The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on July 17th at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 19 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago. The keynote CLE speaker, matrimonial and family law…
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Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person By Maria Pappas Property owners face an Aug. 1 due date to pay their Second Installment 2023 tax bills. Many homeowners authorize their mortgage company to pay their two annual property tax installments from an escrow account….
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Hanania syndicated columns on Pritzker, Biden, Trump and Roe V Wade Syndicated columnist and award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter writes 5 columns each week addressing politics, slice of life and the Middle East Here is a summary of the most recent columns which you can subscribe to free of charge (or become a…
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Pressure mounts on Biden to step down, fueling support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 3rd party candidates Video Podcast: Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist and award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania discuss the pressures on President Biden to withdraw from the presidential election, and the impact it will have on…
Leving team rescued Dad’s little girls, saving them from a toxic home By Laura Reichel A father’s greatest joy is brought by his children and his greatest fear is losing them. This is the fear a desperate father experienced after discovering his ex-wife was planning on taking his children away from him and exposing them…
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Read your property tax bill Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urges homeowners Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urges homeowners hit by record property tax hikes to see ‘Where Your Money Goes’ by visiting her website which provides details and comparisons on where increases occurred Cook County taxpayers should read their property tax bills to better…
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Court terminated critically injured man’s maintenance payments to ex-wife By Laura Reichel Divorce, even if it is an amicable one, is a difficult and emotionally complex life event. In many cases, the parties involved often seek to protect themselves financially or seek financial compensation from their soon-to-be ex. In a divorce, one spouse can be…
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