Local News

Bill Mundy

‘Guilty’ bribe-taker William Mundy sues Summit over retaliatory firing 

Former Summit public works director William Mundy, who pled guilty to federal corruption charges, claims in a new civil lawsuit he was fired for exposing the same village corruption he took part in, court records show. Mundy filed a federal lawsuit against the village, demanding back pay, reinstatement, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees, according to…

A butterfly landed on the face of Josephine Mitre, 9, of Beverly, at Lake Katherine during the nature center's Monarch Festival. (Photos by Kelly White)

Lake Katherine pays tribute to endangered Monarchs

The ever-popular Monarch made its appearance once again at Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanical Gardens during a weekend long, Monarch Celebration. The 31st annual Monarch Celebration honored the exquisite Monarch, right at the nature center, 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights, and was held on September 21 and September 22. Judy Splayt, of Tinley…

More than 1,000 runners of all ages turned out Sept. 15 for Selma’s Sweets Run 4 Peace 5k at Moraine Valley Community College. (Photo by Nuha Abdessalam)

‘Selma’s Sweets Run 4 Peace’ 5K at Moraine Valley Community College

Selma’s Sweets Run 4 Peace 5k at Moraine Valley Community College gathered over 1,000 attendees for Palestine Child Relief Fund. “When I think about PCRF’s first inauguration nearly 11 years ago, we had a great group by far, but this is the largest group I’ve seen attend this event. Congratulations,” said Mayor Gerald Bennett. Runners…

Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady's SuPETvisor of the Year went to Orland Park pup, Siren, and his owner, Michelle Leddin. (Supplied photo)

Pets rule at Orland Township’s Palooza

In 2010, Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady, with the help of his own family, expanded the Orland Township Food Pantry and created the Orland Township Pet Pantry. He called it, “Crashy’s Closet,” which was named after O’Grady’s beloved rescue cat. Today, “Crashy’s Closet” has helped many residents ease the burden of owning a pet, maintaining…

swnh biz 9-29-24 starbucks grand opening

Starbucks opens on former vacant lot in West Lawn

A new Starbucks opened last week in Chicago’s West Lawn community on a lot that had been vacant for 40 years. Groundbreaking for the newest Starbucks took place in March at 6413 S. Cicero Ave. and was led by Mayor Brandon Johnson and 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn. The lot was a former gas station…

Besides the varieties of meat Fogo de Chao is famous for, the restaurants offer sumptuous salad bars. (Supplied photo)

Comings & Goings: Fogo de Chao coming to Orland Park

Fogo de Chao, the Brazilian steak house known for servers carrying slabs of meat on long skewers from table to table, announced last week that it had signed a lease to open a new restaurant in Orland Park. The new location at 15407 S. LaGrange Road would be the chain’s fifth Chicagoland restaurant. The 6,791-square-foot…

Monica Wiggins (from left), Mary Bowers, Kelli Moore, April Kates-Ellison, and Josette Thompson are members of Nubian 9 who are sponsoring get-out-the-vote efforts in Summit this fall. (Supplied photo)

Women’s social group launches voting initiative in Summit

A group of women from Summit called Nubian 9, better known as N9, are stepping up to ensure their community’s voice is heard at the ballot box. The social group of nine long-time childhood friends from the Summit-Argo community is committed to fostering sisterhood, social impact and sensational living (living life to the fullest). In…

Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes assists taxpayers in Summit. (Supplied photos)

Lyons Township Assessor outreach event in Summit recovers $36,000 for taxpayers

An outreach event sponsored by the Lyons Township Assessor’s office at the Summit Park District recovered more than $36,000 for taxpayers. Nearly 200 Summit residents concerned about the recent jump in Cook County assessments attended the August 29 outreach. Assessor Patrick Hynes gave a brief presentation about the local property tax landscape, the recent reassessment, and tips…

Dr. Samer Rajjoub, a surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, recently celebrated his 500th robotic surgery. (Supplied photos)

Local physician surpasses 500th robotic surgery at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital

Northwestern Medicine Palos Heights Hospital is celebrating an exciting milestone for one of its surgeons. Dr. Samer Rajjoub, a surgeon at Palos Hospital, recently celebrated his 500th robotic surgery with state-of-the-art da Vinci robots that allow surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive procedures with more precision, often leading to less pain for the patient post-surgery…

Sophia Aviles, a 16-year-old junior at Lyons Township High School, placed as the second runner-up in the National Miss Illinois Junior Teen Pageant. (Supplied photo)

Lyons High School junior shines in pageantry, animal advocacy

Sophia Aviles, a junior at Lyons Township High School, earned a national honor that propels her closer to realizing her dreams in pageantry, fashion modeling and animal welfare advocacy. The 16-year-old from La Grange Park enjoys photography, reading in the park, and volunteering at a local veterinary clinic. Recently, she placed as the second runner-up…

Owners of Magical Keys Institute of Music are joined by Palos Hills officials at the grand opening on Sept. 26. Taking part in the festivities were (from left) Kasia Szczech-Dlugosz, Bernadette Szczech, mother of the sisters; Mayor Jerry Bennett, Stan Szczech, father of the sisters; Ald. Donna O'Connell (5th), Ruby, the Palos Hills mascot, and Karolina Szczech. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

A Symphony of Dreams: Sisters open music school in Palos Hills

Two sisters are aiming to bring the power of music to the southwest suburbs. Kasia Szczech-Dlugosz and her younger sister, Karolina Szczech, opened the Magical Keys Institute of Music at 7840 W. 103rd St., Palos Hills, about three weeks ago. They celebrated with a grand opening on Thursday, Sept. 26, to greet the community and…

Palos School District 118 staffers celebrate Palos East Elementary being named a Blue Ribbon School. (Supplied photo)

Palos East Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School 

Palos East Elementary School in Palos Consolidated School District 118 has been named a National Blue Ribbon School award winner by the U.S. Department of Education. U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, made the announcement on September 23 that Palos East Elementary has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. Schools are nominated by…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is seeking a third term. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Pekau formally announces re-election bid and names slate

Even though he announced his intentions of running for another term in 2023, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau made a formal announcement on Sept. 30. He also announced his slate of trustees and clerk for the April 1 election at a dinner following his golf outing for veterans at Silver Lake Country Club. Current trustees…

regional biz golden shoes

Palos Heights approves façade grant for Golden Shoes

Palos Heights aldermen were busy last month approving payments for road projects and demolition as well as a façade improvement. On September 17, council members approved a $206,939 payment to Simpson Construction for demolition needed for the pool improvement project. Additionally, a request was approved to purchase required Illinois Department of Public Health double doors…

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is proudly celebrating 115 years as a parish and 50 years residing in the Palos Hills community. (Supplied photos)

Honoring Faith and Tradition: Saints Constantine & Helen Church Celebrates 115 Years

A spiritual and social center to meet, practice, and preserve the Orthodox religion and Greek culture, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is proudly celebrating 115 years as a parish and 50 years in the Palos Hills community. “When a community of believers comes together in faith and the love of Christ, then He…

Morgan Lietz, 17, of Crestwood, and her father, Dan at the Community High School District 218 September board meeting where Morgan was recogonized for her efforts promoting the importance of organ donation.

A Legacy of Compassion: How One Family’s Fight for Organ Donation Continues After Tragedy

Vikki Tulcus devoted her life to helping others as an advocate for organ donation, touching countless lives.  As fate would have it, Tulcus became someone in desperate need of a donor.  Her story is one of compassion, dedication and tragedy.  Diagnosed with Wegener’s Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease, Tulcus faced her own need for an…

Orland Park Public Library's Community Engagement Manager Sarah Kleiva with the blanket donation box for the Pathlights blanket drive at the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. (Supplied photo)

Orland Park Library Fall Blanket Drive Aims To Keep Seniors Warm

As the temperatures begin to drop, the Orland Park Public Library is helping to spread warmth to senior citizens in need. The Orland Park Public Library has partnered with Pathlights, a nonprofit organization that serves older adults, for a fall blanket drive. “As the cooler months approach, it’s heartwarming to see our community come together…

With the renovation of the Fine Arts Center taking place at Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, “Romeo & Juliet” was held outside last weekend. (Supplied photo)

From Grass to Verona: Shepard Students Transform Outdoors for Unique Romeo & Juliet Experience

Duffy Donovan is a junior at Shepard High School who loves theater. At just 16, Donovan has landed the role of a lifetime—playing Juliet in the school’s first-ever outdoor performance of Romeo & Juliet. The outdoor setting was a requirement due to the ongoing renovation of the school’s Fine Arts Center. With Shepard High School’s…

State Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (back row left), Alderman Marty Quinn (back row second from left), and state Senator
Mike Porfirio (right) with the 2024 honorees. (Photos by Carol McGowan)

Quinn, Guerrero-Cuellar, and Porfirio honor 13th Ward Seniors

Alderman Marty Quinn, state Representative Angie Guerrero-Cuellar and state Senator Mike Porfirio held the annual Senior Celebration at West Lawn Park on September 20. The celebration, which started back in 2004, honors seniors of the 13th Ward that have made a significant impact in their neighborhood. This year’s honorees were Ray Konrath, Bill Swiderski, Rosa…

A traditional Irish jack-o-lantern carved from a turnip. (Photo courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Natural History)

Before people carved pumpkins, they carved turnips

Did you know that before people started carving pumpkins into Jack-o-Lanterns, people of Irish and Scottish descent would carve faces into potatoes or turnip? This was done to scare away evil spirits on the night of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the “darker half “of…

Illinois News

Jury deadlocks, mistrial declared in case of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan

Jury deadlocks, mistrial declared in case of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – A federal judge on Thursday declared a mistrial after a jury deadlocked in their deliberations over whether former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza bribed longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan via a no-work contract for the speaker’s political ally. After nearly 15 hours of deliberation…

High court: Smell of burnt cannabis is not cause for warrantless vehicle search

High court: Smell of burnt cannabis is not cause for warrantless vehicle search

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Law enforcement officers in Illinois cannot rely on the smell of burnt cannabis alone to justify searching a vehicle without a warrant, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. The decision was unanimous, though Justice Lisa Holder White did not take part in it. Writing for the court,…

State wraps up case in challenge to assault weapons ban

State wraps up case in challenge to assault weapons ban

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com EAST ST. LOUIS – A federal judge invoked images from the 1917 race riots in East St. Louis, Illinois, on Thursday at the end of a trial in a case challenging the constitutionality of the state’s ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines. Judge Steven McGlynn, who has…

Gun expert says assault weapons ban ‘describes the most popular firearms I’m involved with’

Gun expert says assault weapons ban ‘describes the most popular firearms I’m involved with’

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com EAST ST. LOUIS – A firearms expert testified Wednesday that the weapons restricted under Illinois’ assault weapons ban include many of the most common firearms that American consumers use for self-defense. Steven Randall Watt, a combat veteran and retired law enforcement officer who now owns a private firearms…

Case of former AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan heads to jury

Case of former AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan heads to jury

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – On Valentine’s Day in 2017, then-AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza got some good news: After years of trying to push for legislation in Springfield that would save the company hundreds of millions of dollars annually, powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan had agreed to a…

State Supreme Court hears arguments in Jussie Smollett’s effort to overturn conviction

State Supreme Court hears arguments in Jussie Smollett’s effort to overturn conviction

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in actor Jussie Smollett’s appeal to overturn his conviction on disorderly conduct charges for falsifying a hate crime. Smollett, who was an actor on the TV show “Empire,” was improperly charged with the same crime twice, his legal team…

Testimony continues in 2nd Amendment challenge to Illinois’ assault weapons ban

Testimony continues in 2nd Amendment challenge to Illinois’ assault weapons ban

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com EAST ST. LOUIS – An engineer who spent decades designing weapons for one of the world’s leading gun manufacturers testified Tuesday that the assault-style weapons now banned in Illinois are intended only for civilian use and cannot be easily converted into military-grade firearms. James Ronkainen, a former engineer…

Contractor’s unsecured databases exposed sensitive voter data in over a dozen Illinois counties

Contractor’s unsecured databases exposed sensitive voter data in over a dozen Illinois counties

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Around 4.6 million records associated with Illinoisans in over a dozen counties – including voting records, registrations and death certificates – were temporarily available on the open internet, according to a security researcher who identified the vulnerability in July. The documents were available through an unsecured cloud storage…

Prosecutors rest case against former AT&T Illinois boss accused of bribing Madigan

Prosecutors rest case against former AT&T Illinois boss accused of bribing Madigan

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – After years of pushing in Springfield, AT&T Illinois’ executive team was thrilled when the Illinois General Assembly in 2017 passed legislation that would get the company out from under expensive obligations to maintain its aging copper landline wires in Illinois. “Game over. We win,” AT&T Illinois…

Trial begins in challenge to assault weapons ban

Trial begins in challenge to assault weapons ban

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com EAST ST. LOUIS – The owner of a gun store testified Monday that Illinois’ ban on the sale of assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines has had a significant impact on his business and prevented his customers from buying items they would normally use for self-defense, hunting, target…

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