Tag: Illinois

Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging all eligible residents to apply for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help them pay high utility bills. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024. “Families should not be forced to choose…

Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Mokena, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels Nine hotels in the 19th District are set to receive more than $700,000 in Back to Business grants, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Our hospitality industry helps generate revenue and contribute to the economic and social development of our communities,”…

Business, construction, Cook County, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Mokena, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, restaurants, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Decorated Iraq War veteran Senator Michael Hastings appointed to two key statewide veterans groups

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 Press ReleaseChicago No Comments

Decorated Iraq War veteran Senator Michael Hastings appointed to two key statewide veterans groups State Senator Michael E. Hastings was appointed to represent the Senate in two statewide veterans’ task forces. Hastings (D-Frankfort) will be serving as a member on the Breakthrough Therapies for Veterans Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council and on the Veterans Service-Related…

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Chicago Aldermen set to reestablish limits to Welcoming City Ordinance

August 28, 2023August 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago Aldermen set to reestablish limits to Welcoming City Ordinance Following an uptick in illegal activities at migrant shelters and police districts throughout the city, Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) and several others want to return “commonsense restrictions” addressing public safety back into the city’s Welcoming City ordinance. Under the Lightfoot administration, all public safety carveouts…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Crime, immigrant, News

Hastings’ new law will jump start renovation of Tinley Park Mental Health Center

August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings’ new law will jump start renovation of Tinley Park Mental Health Center The long awaited renovation to the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center will soon be underway thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Transferring the Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Tinley Park – Park District was one…

construction, Government, Health, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Bond Set for Cook County Man Charged with Leading Police on 100 MPH High-Speed Chase

August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Bond Set for Cook County Man Charged with Leading Police on 100 MPH High-Speed Chase Defendant allegedly on probation out of Indiana for vehicle theft DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that bond has been set for a Cook County man accused of leading police…

Crime, DuPage, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Senator Michael Hastings appointed Chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings appointed Chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee State Senator Michael Hastings, an Iraq war veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in a Combat Zone, was named this week as the Chairman of the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee. “Our veterans selflessly served our country and…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

McCook names new Police Chief

June 27, 2023June 28, 2023 Steve Metsch No Comments

McCook names new Police Chief McCook’s new police chief is mayor’s brother By Steve Metsch McCook’s new police chief has a familiar last name. Jeremy Carr is the younger brother of Mayor Terrance Carr. His promotion from commander to chief, effective July 1, was unanimously approved by the village board on June 19. Mayor Carr…

News, Suburban Chicagoland

Undocumented immigrants will be given drivers licenses, Secretary Giannoulias says

June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Undocumented immigrants will be given drivers licenses, Secretary Giannoulias says Giannoulias: New Legislation Aims to End the Stigma for Immigrant Drivers; Make Illinois Roads Safer. Legislation will allow state to issue standardized licenses to legally licensed immigrant motorists Legislation approved by Illinois lawmakers will expand identification options for undocumented immigrants and make Illinois roads safer,…

Illinois Legislature, immigrant, News, news release, Transportation

Reps. Robin Kelly, Rashida Tlaib, Rosa DeLauro, and Maxwell Frost Introduce Safe Storage Saves Lives Act to Reduce Firearm Deaths of Children

June 16, 2023June 16, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Reps. Robin Kelly, Rashida Tlaib, Rosa DeLauro, and Maxwell Frost Introduce Safe Storage Saves Lives Act to Reduce Firearm Deaths of Children During National Gun Violence Awareness Month event June 16, 2023, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), a Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03),…

Crime, Government, National, News

Bolingbrook Town Center Mosaic Ribbon Cutting Scheduled June 7

June 3, 2023June 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bolingbrook Town Center Mosaic Ribbon Cutting Scheduled June 7 The public is invited to the official ribbon cutting and celebration of the new mosaic at Town Center entitled “A Reflection of Bolingbrook” on June 7 at 6:45 PM The Village of Bolingbrook and the Bolingbrook Arts Council would like to welcome the public to the…

Culture, Entertainment, Events, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Funding for mental health and education in Tinley Park secured by Senator Hastings

May 26, 2023May 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Funding for mental health and education in Tinley Park secured by Senator Hastings State Senator Michael E. Hastings joined members of the Illinois State Senate to support a Fiscal Year 2024 budget to promote fiscal responsibility, funding to promote mental health services and support our children’s education opportunities.Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement in response:“The…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Star Wars Day is back in Joliet, Illinois

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Star Wars Day is back in Joliet, Illinois Returning for the 12th year, Star Wars Day is back! Join the fun Saturday, June 3rd from 11am – 4pm at the Joliet Public Library – Ottawa Street Branch. This year will feature a parade of costumed characters, games, food vendors, Artist and Author Alley, and merch vendors. This event is…

Business, Culture, Events, Features, Festival, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker Administration Announces Chicago Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Administration Announces Chicago Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit The unit will focus on preventing violence and addressing conflict in Chicago via community Peacekeepers Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services are launching a Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit (CPRU), a highly mobile team that…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

National Association for Gun Rights Calls Out Illinois’ Semi-Auto Ban Lies

May 10, 2023May 10, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

National Association for Gun Rights Calls Out Illinois’ Semi-Auto Ban Lies Representatives from the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) on Wednesday May 10, 2023 filed a rebuttal to the State of Illinois to the United States Supreme Court. On May 1, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett requested further information from the State of…

Cook County, Crime, Federal, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Politics

Proposed Chicago School District map is a “gerrymandered disgrace” Chicago GOP officials say

May 7, 2023May 7, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Proposed Chicago School District map is a “gerrymandered disgrace” Chicago GOP officials say The Chicago Republican Party today decried the proposed map of the Chicago School Board Districts released by Illinois Senate Democrats, as well as the provision of the current bill establishing the new “temporarily hybrid” school board in Chicago. “This map is a…

Chicago, Education, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read, pushes law prohibiting libraries from banning books

May 4, 2023May 4, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read, pushes law prohibiting libraries from banning books State Senator Michael E. Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read. New law would ban the banning of books by local libraries A measure requiring libraries or library systems to adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights…

Books & Films, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings advances measure to fight crime, track stolen vehicles

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

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…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, DuPage, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation