Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas column explores options to help pay property taxes by Dec. 15 If you can’t pay your taxes by the December 15 due date, there’s a 13-month payment plan available! Register now at CookCountyTreasurer.com. Second-Installment Cook County property taxes are due Dec. 15, for nearly 1.8 million Cook County properties. That…
WalletHub releases Credit Card Debt study, shows $16 billion increase The Federal Reserve released its latest Consumer Credit report today at 3 p.m. WalletHub’s inflation-adjusted analysis of the data reveals that consumers added $16 billion in credit card debt during the third quarter of 2025. Key highlights from WalletHub’s new Credit Card Debt Study are…
Read More “WalletHub releases Credit Card Debt study, shows $16 billion increase” »
Orland Park Police Department releases Thanksgiving enforcement numbers Orland Park Police release data in Thanksgiving holiday enforcement campaign to keep motorists and residents safe. From Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, the Orland Park Police Department participated in the statewide “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization to reduce crashes and…
Read More “Orland Park Police Department releases Thanksgiving enforcement numbers” »
DuPage County Board member Lynn LaPlante endorses Ruzevich for Illinois 6th Congress District in March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary Elected official Lynn LaPlante, Dupage County Board Member, announced her endorsement for Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich for the Illinois 6th congressional district. Lynn believes “Joey is a part of the new generation of leadership ready and…
Leving Team Won for Grandma, Giving Child a Stable Home with His Teen Dad By: Laura Reichel A devoted grandmother was in desperate need of help protecting her infant grandchild. The child’s mother had reportedly abandoned the baby, left the state, and was later incarcerated out of state. The baby’s teen father was doing his…
Read More “Leving Team Won for Grandma, Giving Child a Stable Home with His Teen Dad” »
Village of Orland Park Announces New Utility Billing System The Village of Orland Park is introducing a new utility billing system designed to enhance the customer experience and improve day-to-day operations. The new system will provide customers with more flexibility in managing their utility account and streamline the overall payment process. As part of this…
Read More “Village of Orland Park Announces New Utility Billing System” »
Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes By Maria Pappas Record-high increases in property tax bills have angered many Cook County property owners. My office has released an analysis of the nearly 1.8 million tax bills. It showed that in Chicago the median tax bill jumped 16.7%,…
Read More “Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes” »
Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm Motorists asked to slow down and increase their distance from other vehicles The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and allow extra time for their Thanksgiving holiday travels and weekend trips as a winter storm moves through Northern Illinois, with…
Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit more countries and cultures represented than the Museum of Science and Industry’s Display For the 22nd year, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is celebrating the ethnic holiday traditions of nearly 100 different nationalities in the free “Christmas Trees from Around the World” exhibit…
Read More “Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit” »
Leving Team Protected Dad’s Little Girls Again, Ensuring Their Lasting Safety By Laura Reichel When two young girls were rescued from a reported toxic and dangerous home, their devoted father believed the worst was finally behind them. The court victory granting him primary custody had given his daughters the peace and stability they deserved, allowing…
Read More “Leving Team Protected Dad’s Little Girls Again, Ensuring Their Lasting Safety” »
Adult Sister Wins Sole Custody of Her Little Sister By Laura Reichel When a young girl’s adoptive home became a place of reported mistreatment and despair, her adult sister refused to remain silent. Furthermore, it was reported the young girl’s adoptive parents allowed their family members to abuse the little girl.Fearing for her sister and…
Read More “Adult Sister Wins Sole Custody of Her Little Sister” »
Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025 Illinois Senator Mike Porfirio will join local legislators in celebrating and honoring America’s veterans at a Holiday luncheon to be held at Morton College on Dec. 12, 2025. Among those also attending will be State Sen. Javier Cervantes, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State Rep….
Read More “Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025” »
Rickey Hendon urges freeze on property taxes and new regulations to address unjustified hikes Former Senate leader Hendon urges Freeze on Property taxes, and proposes reforms during a press conference held at the Cook County Building on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Watch video of press conference below Rickey Hendon, former Illinois State Senator and former…
Orland Fire District appoints Des Breese as Director of Orland Central Dispatch Orland Fire Protection District, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District named Des Breese as Director of Orland Central Dispatch Operations. The Board of Trustees voted to approve the appointment on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, during their regular meeting. Breese succeeds Gina Cortez….
Read More “Orland Fire District appoints Des Breese as Director of Orland Central Dispatch” »
Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Maintaining Excellence in Matrimonial Law and Client Advocacy By Laura Reichel 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 November 20th at 6:30 p.m. CST at 225 W. Wacker Drive in Chicago,…
Loop’s declining value fuels record 16.7% jump in median property tax bill for Chicago homeowners Homeowners in Black communities hit with biggest percentage increases A dramatic decline in the value of commercial property in Chicago’s Loop, the city’s longtime economic engine, fueled a record property tax increase on homes across the city, according to an…
Third-party notices tell you if a relative or anyone you know misses a tax payment By Maria Pappas Each year, thousands of property owners in Cook County are late paying their taxes, putting their homes in danger of being included in the annual state-mandated tax sale. That’s a problem we want to help you avoid. …
Read More “Third-party notices tell you if a relative or anyone you know misses a tax payment” »
Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting its annual Toy Drive for needy families and children. The Toy drive collections are located at all 6 of the OFPD Fire Stations and the Fire Administration Building, where toy donations can be dropped off. The OFPD Toy…
Read More “Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children” »