Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Hastings on Illinois advancing Alyssa’s Law: ‘School Safety Isn’t abstract — it’s personal’ RICHTON PARK — State Senator Michael E. Hastings joined Mayor Rick Reinbold and other local officials, educators and advocates on Friday August 14, 2026, at Richton Square School to highlight the recent signing of Alyssa’s Law, legislation Hastings co-authored to strengthen school…
Illinois Legislature honors State Rep. Cyril Nichols in Tribute Resolution Video: State Rep. Cyril Nichols was one of the hardest-working members of the Illinois General Assembly. Despite his dedication to the needs of residents of his diverse 32nd House District that ran from Chicago to Bridgeview, we did not get the backing of the leadership…
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Full-day kindergarten now mandated by new law supported by Senator Michael Hastings Children across the south suburbs will soon have access to full-day kindergarten, thanks to a law supported by State Senator Michael E. Hastings that was signed into law this week. “Early education is crucial to setting our children on a path to be…
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Hastings advances measure to fight crime, track stolen vehicles Illinois may soon have a law on the books to help law enforcement quickly track stolen vehicles, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. Hastings (D-Frankfort) advanced House Bill 2245, which requires Cook County to establish a vehicle theft hotline to facilitate the location of a…
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Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census Arab American leaders are pushing back against legislation that would designate the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) category for the Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and the U.S. Census arguing that the MENA Category will only help fuel more…
Orland Fire District board members denounces Illinois Safe-T Act as “threat to First Responders” Officials of the Orland Fire Protection District board of trustees this week denounced the adoption of the Illinois “Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act,” also known as the SAFE-T Act, saying it reduces punishments and accountability for criminals and while undermining…
Preliminary vote shows Abdelnasser Rashid unseats incumbent Mike Zalewski By Ray Hanania Abdelnasser Rashid, a Democrat who proved his strength when he nearly unseated Republican Cook County board member Sean Morrison in 2018 by almost 1,400 votes, is the unofficial winner in a battle for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 21st District on…
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Harper Overrides Rauner’s Veto of Urban Agriculture Zones Bill State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, helped override the governor’s veto of her legislation that creates local urban agricultural zones across communities in Illinois to help residents grow their own produce. “I have been fighting for access to healthy food options and to expand urban agriculture on…
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