Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Hastings calls for enhanced training for court-appointed guardians to protect Illinois children SPRINGFIELD — On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a subject matter hearing for a measure sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings emphasizing the importance of high-quality training for guardians ad litem in Illinois courts. This would better protect…
Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation designed to provide critical relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county’s 2023 tax sale. Hastings, a chief co-sponsor on the bill, worked to pass the…
Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus During a visit to the Easterseals Academy Tinley Park campus, State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced the allocation of a $250,000 state grant to help fund critical roof repairs at the school, which serves children with autism and other disabilities. “Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater…
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Hastings introduces bill to protect consumers in insurance rate setting State Senator Michael E. Hastings has introduced Senate Bill 2691, legislation that would examine whether Illinois families are paying unfairly high premiums due to nondriving factors that have little to do with actual risk on the road or in the home. “Families in Illinois deserve…
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Orland Township to offer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program Orland Township is proud to introduce the launch of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, an initiative designed to prepare residents to support themselves and their neighbors in times of emergency, Township officials said Tuesday. By educating community members on disaster preparedness and response,…
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Patch publishes inaccurate news story on Fire District & merger By Ray Hanania The Patch is a great source of information but it should also have checks and balances on the publishing of news and information. This week, Patch writer Lauren Traut published an article on the growing controversy regarding the issue of “consolidation” or…
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Investigation leads to aggravated vehicular hijacking arrest A Country Club Hills man on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) was charged with felony aggravated vehicular hijacking stemming from an incident that occurred in September in Tinley Park. Police said Jamal Britton, 33, approached a 27-year-old man as he was leaving work Sept. 11 in the 18700 block…
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Andrew High School makes Unified Sports history…again Batman and Robin, Bert and Ernie, Buzz, and Woody have nothing on an incredible pair of students at Victor J. Andrew High School. T-Bolt seniors Scott Oftedahl and Montrell Sippel were recently selected to represent Special Olympic Illinois at Lobby Day in Washington D.C. It’s a known fact…
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School District 230 welcomes students to Board of Education Committees Students from across Consolidated High School 230 are adding their voices to Board of Education committee meetings. Specifically, three students from each school have been selected to serve on each of the three Board of Education Committees – Education, Student Support & Development, and Building…
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School District 230 T-Bolts score tops on National German Exam Victor J. Andrew had a total of 40 students across the German 1, 2 and 3 courses participate in the National German Exam given by the American Association of Teachers of German. Students scored very well, five of whom received Bronze and Silver medals for…
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Tinley police charge Wheaton man with aggravated arson A Wheaton man on April 24 was charged with aggravated arson after he intentionally started a fire the week before at Menards, 6851 W. 159th St., Tinley Park. Police said Nathan Grant, 32, set fire to multiple air conditioning unit filters in the store just after 4…
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Tinley Police file murder charges against spouse in the murder of his wife and three daughters Maher Kassem, 63, of the 7400 block of W. 173rd Place, Tinley Park, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder after a domestic incident Sunday, Jan. 21 at his home. Kassem shot and killed his wife Majeda Kassem,…
Four Arab Muslim women murdered in domestic violence crime Sunday Police in Tinley Park, Illinois on Sunday night Jan. 21, 2024 identified four women who were murdered in their home in what is described as a “domestic violence” crime. The identities of the women were released Sunday night. A suspect has been taken into custody…
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Chicago police officer killed in Tinley Park traffic accident An off-duty Chicago police officer was killed early Saturday morning after a traffic accident at the intersection of 179th Street and LaGrange Road in Tinley Park. Both drivers were transported to Silver Cross Hospital, where the officer was pronounced dead. The other driver was transferred to…
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Chicago men charged after armed robbery attempt at Tinley Park Jewel/Osco Two Chicago men were charged Wednesday with attempted armed robbery after trying to rob a 72-year-old woman at gunpoint shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Jewel, 17117 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park. Police said Jarrell Shaw, 32, of the 8000 block of…
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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…
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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,”…
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Hastings secures $17.8 million for vital improvements to Tinley Park and neighboring municipalities Tinley Park and neighboring municipalities are set to receive $17.8 million to make vital improvements to local highways and roads, thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Our highways, roads and bridges optimize opportunities for economic development, education and…