Suburban Chicagoland News & Opinion

Treasurer Maria Pappas Recognizes Cinco de Mayo with Celebration of Mexican Heritage Featuring Mariachi Music, Live Horses, and an Art Exhibit

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas Recognizes Cinco de Mayo with Celebration of Mexican Heritage Featuring Mariachi Music, Live Horses, and an Art Exhibit Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas marked Cinco de Mayo on May 5 with a public celebration honoring the deep cultural roots and lasting contributions of the Mexican diaspora in Chicagoland. The event featured live…

Chicago, Cook County, Culture, Events, Festival, immigrant, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Photos, Veterans

Ryan calls High School Language Requirement “burdensome” and pushes to remove it

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ryan calls High School Language Requirement “burdensome” and pushes to remove it State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, is seeking to remove the two-year foreign language requirement Illinois high school students must complete to receive a high school diploma. “Schools are facing a shortage of qualified teachers who can teach foreign languages,” Ryan said. “And…

Culture, Education, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Year of Events

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Year of Events The Village of Orland Park is proud to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a year full of special events and programs. The season of celebration will kick off with the Red, White & Blue BBQ Fest & Parade on Saturday,…

Civil Rights, Culture, Entertainment, Festival, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Hastings leads effort to protect Illinois clients and attorneys from private equity interference

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings leads effort to protect Illinois clients and attorneys from private equity interference State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation that would safeguard the professional independence of attorneys and protect clients from undue influence by private equity investors, hedge funds and investor‑backed management services organizations. “This legislation is about ensuring that legal decisions in Illinois…

Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire

MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn Leads Berwyn Green Infrastructure Groundbreaking

May 4, 2026May 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn Leads Berwyn Green Infrastructure Groundbreaking MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn joined by Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (4th District), and MWRD board colleagues and local aldermen in breaking ground on Green Infrastructure in Berwyn on May 1, 2026 On May 1, 2026, Metropolitan Water…

Environment, Flooding, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment

May 4, 2026May 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment State Senator Michael E. Hastings called on the Illinois Commerce Commission to ensure fairness and balance in a proposed $200 million infrastructure plan filed by Illinois American Water ─ raising concerns about how those investments are distributed across the state. During a hearing in Springfield, Hastings…

Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement

May 3, 2026May 3, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement Orland Park, IL – From the time he was a young child, Robert Winkelman always wanted to be a firefighter. Last week, he retired after 35 years of total fire service, including 29 years with the Orland Fire Protection District, most recently as a Battalion…

Features, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Alliance of Polish Clubs President Mirowska-Kopec recognize Polish population by honoring local leaders ahead of Polish Constitution Day

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Alliance of Polish Clubs President Mirowska-Kopec recognize Polish population by honoring local leaders ahead of Polish Constitution Day Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will attend the raising of the Polish Flag over Daley Plaza on Friday, May 1 at noon. Afterwards, along with Alliance of Polish Clubs USA President Lucja…

Cook County, Culture, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Leving Team Reunited Grandparents with Grandchildren

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Reunited Grandparents with Grandchildren By Laura Reichel Tragically, a loving Chicago father died leaving behind his two children. Since birth and prior to their father’s passing, the children had lived in their paternal grandparents’ home with both parents. Their grandparents were deeply devoted to them, forming a close and loving bond that became…

News

OFPD extinguishes garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries reported

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

OFPD extinguishes garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries reported The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a reported structure fire Thursday evening in the 10800 block of Caribou Lane involving an attached residential garage. Upon arrival, all occupants had safely exited the home. First arriving companies forced entry to access the garage and encountered…

Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Northwestern Medicine Opens $15 Million Center Expanding Advanced Gastrointestinal Care to Suburban Chicago

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Northwestern Medicine Opens $15 Million Center Expanding Advanced Gastrointestinal Care to Suburban Chicago The Center for Advanced Endoscopy offers some of the most advanced endoscopic procedures available in the United States Northwestern Medicine is expanding access to highly specialized digestive health services with the opening of the new Center for Advanced Endoscopy at Northwestern Medicine Central…

Health, News, NewsWire

Pappas and Consul General Anton Lungu Honor Moldovan National Flag Day in Chicago at Flag Raising and Reception Honoring Civic Leaders

April 27, 2026April 27, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Pappas and Consul General Anton Lungu Honor Moldovan National Flag Day in Chicago at Flag Raising and Reception Honoring Civic Leaders Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will participate in the raising of the Moldovan tricolor over Daley Plaza at 12:00 p.m. today Monday, April 27, in downtown Chicago followed by a reception in her Clark Street office….

Cook County, Culture, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

April 25, 2026April 25, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago By Maria Pappas My office is managing $105 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s…

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

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships Treasurer Michael Frerichs Hosts 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge. VIDEO is available CLICK HER A team of four students from Naperville Central High School will compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia,…

Education, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, youth

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and House Democrats are standing up to Washington’s attacks on voting rights by advancing a state constitutional amendment ensuring every person’s voice is heard—guaranteeing these rights in Illinois ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court ruling gutting the…

Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire

Armed illegal alien who re-entered country arrested and charged second time

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Armed illegal alien who re-entered country arrested and charged second time Illegal Alien Who Possessed a Dangerous Weapon in Cook County Jail and Committed an Attempted Vehicular Hijacking Indicted for Allegedly Unlawfully Re-Entering United States after Deportation An illegal alien who resided in a Chicago suburb has been indicted on a federal immigration charge for…

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

Leving Team’s Victory Safeguarded the Future of Two Young Girls

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team’s Victory Safeguarded the Future of Two Young Girls By Laura Reichel Every child deserves stability, security, and the financial support necessary to grow and thrive. Yet too often, that foundation is threatened. In this case, two young girls were at risk of being denied the support they deserved and needed until the Leving…

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

Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs The Orland Fire Protection District released the scheduled dates for the popular Kids Camp (Monday, June 15) and the Junior Cadet program (Tuesday, June 16), and urges interested parents to mark their calendars for the events and for the required registration….

Events, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Hills, Orland Park, youth