Local News

Great Lakes Beer and Bourbon has closed its doors in Palos Park. (Photo by Steve Neuhaus)

Comings & Goings: Great Lakes Beer and Bourbon closes

Great Lakes Beer and Bourbon abruptly closed its doors earlier this month in Palos Park after being open since last summer. The pub at 12900 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park closed September 3 with little warning. The business posted a farewell message on its Facebook page: “To all our loyal customers over the last…

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Property values soar 31% in Lake Township

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has announced the initial reassessments for residential and commercial properties in Lake Township, marking an important update for property owners. On August 29, Kaegi revealed a 31% increase in the total assessed value, driven by the changing real estate market over the past three years. With reassessments happening every three…

Overhead view of final minutes of the August 31 Mass in the St. Casimir Chapel celebrating the Transfer of SSC Congregational Leadership. (Photos courtesy of Daina Cyvas)

Sisters of St. Casimir join forces with Immaculate Heart of Mary

As they have every year, the Sisters of St. Casimir prepared to celebrate the anniversary of their founding at the end of August. But this would be much different than in past years when Summerfests adorned the sprawling grounds of the Motherhouse on Marquette Road. Just as those fests were important to the neighborhood so,…

23rd Ward Alderman Silvana Tabares and 8th Police District Bryan Spreyn join members of slain CPD Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso to dedicate a new mural at 67th and Central Park. (Photos courtesy of 23rd Ward Office)

New mural brightens 67th Street viaduct

The viaduct at 67th Street and Central Park Avenue now has beautiful new murals. The murals cover all four corners of the intersection with dazzling displays of nature themes.  There are colorful birds, flowers, butterflies, a very large caterpillar and a white rabbit reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland.” The works of art, which were made with special outdoor paint,…

On the morning of September 11, Shepard High School JROTC students and countless staff members met on the school’s football field, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, to honor the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. (Photos by Kelly White)

Remembering 9/11: Shepard High’s JROTC Cadets Walk in Honor of Fallen

Shepard High School students took time last week to remember fallen heroes during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony. On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 11, Shepard High School JROTC students and staff members met on the school’s football field at 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, to honor the fallen heroes of the 9/11 tragedy. “9/11…

More than 20 area marching bands took part in the 44th annual  Stagg Marching Jamboree. (Supplied photo)

Stagg High Welcomes 3,500 for Marching Band Competition

Marching bands came together last weekend to share their love of music. Stagg High School, 8015 W. 111th St., Palos Hills, welcomed more than 20 marching bands from around the area at its annual March Band Jamboree on September 7. The Jamboree began with the national anthem performed by area middle schoolers from Palos South…

McCook plans on sandblasting decades of paint off its fire hydrants. (Photo by Steve Metsch) 

McCook Fire Hydrants Get Date With Sandblaster, New Paint Job

McCook residents will soon see crews sandblasting and repainting fire hydrants around the village Mayor Terrance Carr, after the village board meeting on Tuesday night Sept. 3, confirmed that testing has been completed on the fire hydrants village-wide. “We’re in the final steps. The flow testing was done. Everything turned out good. The leak testing…

Police escort protesters out of the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night. The protesters were speaking out and yelling over what they believe is a lack of accountability in the death of a local man who was struck by a motorist a year ago. (Photo by Joe Boyle)

Protesters rip Oak Lawn over lack of accountability in man’s death a year ago

The Oak Lawn Fall Music Festival received great reviews but the village board also listened to heated comments regarding a local man who was struck and killed by a motorist a year ago. Fadia Muhamad, the mother of Murod Kurdi, who was struck and killed by a passing motorist in 2023 in the 9100 block…

Jillann Gabrielle, who portrayed both Joan Crawford and Bette Davis at the Worth Public Library, 6917 W. 111th St., Worth, on August 20. (Photo by Kelly White)

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis visit the Worth Public Library

The enmity between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis created one of the most famous celebrity feuds of all time. Why did they hate each other so much? Well, it’s a long story, but to share it was actress, Jillann Gabrielle, who portrayed both roles at the Worth Public Library, 6917 W. 111th St., Worth, on…

SRO Armando Dominquez (right) with Chief Mel Ortiz. (Photo by Carol McGowan)

Summit Officer Earns National Honor, New Police Officer Joins Force

Summit Police Officer Armando Dominguez received a standing ovation at the Summit Village Board meeting after being named National School Resource Officer of the Year, an honor presented at the National School Safety Conference. The award recognizes school resource officers who have made specific and significant contributions to their local communities or school districts. “Getting…

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Worth to honor victims of 9/11 tragedy

Worth public officials will mark a couple of events honoring veterans and will remember the tragedy that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. Mayor Mary Werner mentioned that the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991 will take part in the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Veteran Wall on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Monee. “Members of the post will…

Francisca Renteria

Missing woman’s body found, service set for Saturday

A missing 85-year-old woman who had been missing since September 1 was found Wednesday afternoon deceased. Chicago police said Wednesday Francisca Renteria’s body was found after a massive search through the Garfield Ridge area. Sources said her body was found by Cook County Sheriff’s Police near an industrial building at 51st Street and Meade Avenue.…

Rhine Post Commander Charlie Johnson (left), and Auxiliary President Mike Maruszak (right) join the corn roasting crew. (Photos by Carol McGowan)

Annual Rhine VFW Post picnic called a success

The annual post picnic at Rhine VFW Post in Garfield Ridge took place on September 1. Post Commander Charlie Johnson says it’s a big hit every year. “We have 125-150 people come every year. It’s our annual picnic for our members, their families, and our auxiliary. “We are one of the best VFWs in the…

The 31st annual A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous will be returning once again this year to Columbia Woods Forest Preserve in Willow Springs. (File photo)

Step Back in Time: 31st annual River Rendezvous returns to Willow Springs

The 31st annual A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous will be returning once again this year to Columbia Woods Forest Preserve in Willow Springs for a weekend filled with historic facts, recreation and fun. Taking place at the intersection of Archer Avenue and Willow Springs Road, the event focuses on the…

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Football | Steven Holmes runs for 4 TDs as Argo defeats De La Salle

Last season, Argo made the state playoffs in consecutive campaigns for the first time in program history On opening night in Chicago’s Bronzeville community, they Argonauts took their first step toward securing a third straight postseason berth, defeating De La Salle 45-0 in a non-conference matchup at Parente Field. Argo senior running back Steven Holmes…

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Football | Late TD pass lifts Nazareth over Kankakee on opening night

A balanced ground game and the play of Logan Malachuk led Nazareth to a comeback victory over a familiar foe on opening night of the 2024 season. Malachuk threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns, including a redemptive game-winning score with 3:46 to play, and the Roadrunners topped Kankakee, 37-30, in a non-conference matchup in…

Mahyoub Dawabsha, 26, of Orland Park.

Orland Park man charged for shooting tow truck, taking victim at gunpoint

A 26-year-old Orland man was arrested last week after he fired shots at a tow truck driver and took another person hostage at the auto repair shop where he worked, Chicago Ridge police said. Mahyoub Dawabsha was taken into custody on Tuesday, August 20, by Chicago Ridge officers who responded to a call of shots…

Chicken Wire Empire was the third of four bands at Countryside’s Bluegrass and Brews. (Photos by Steve Metsch)

Popular Bluegrass and Brews will return to Countryside next year

There will be a fourth Bluegrass and Brews in Countryside next year after this year’s third edition drew a big crowd to Countryside Park. “Absolutely,” Mayor Sean McDermott said when asked if there will be another concert in 2025. “I thought it was wonderful,” he said of the August 24 event. “I think it gets…

Hodgkins Public Works employee Andrew Salerno uncovers the Larry Rice Way sign. (Photo by Rodney Cummings)

Larry Rice Way unveiled at Hodgkins Fest

A crowd gathered during the annual Hodgkins Fest for the unveiling of Larry Rice Way on August 24. Longtime Hodgkins Trustee Larry Rice passed away at the end of July, and Lyons Street in the village now bears his name in his honor. “More than 100 people were there just for the street naming,” said…

Brian Gaspardo was appointed as the interim clerk on the Orland Park Village Board. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Orland puts annexation on hold; appoints interim clerk

Annexations of three areas of Orland Park will likely become a reality, but there will be some time for residents to soak things in and to ask questions. The village board voted on Aug. 19 to postpone annexing the 1455-14567 S. 82nd Avenue area, the Silver Lake Drive property and the Silver Lake Dells area.…

Illinois News

In bribery trial, AT&T lobbyists detail contentious meeting with Madigan ally

In bribery trial, AT&T lobbyists detail contentious meeting with Madigan ally

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – On an afternoon in late April 2017, recently retired state Rep. Eddie Acevedo was called to a meeting in the state Capitol in Springfield. The 20-year veteran lawmaker had joined his sons’ lobbying firm and was looking for work. Meeting with a trio of lobbyists for…

A year after end of cash bail, early research shows impact less than many hoped or feared

A year after end of cash bail, early research shows impact less than many hoped or feared

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate the use of cash bail, the impact on the state’s criminal justice system appears to have been far less dramatic than people on either side of the debate had predicted. That, at least,…

ADM carbon sequestration project violated Safe Drinking Water Act, per EPA

ADM carbon sequestration project violated Safe Drinking Water Act, per EPA

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com DECATUR – Agribusiness giant ADM violated federal regulations, a federal permit and the Safe Drinking Water Act earlier this year when a monitoring well at their carbon sequestration site in Decatur leaked liquified carbon dioxide into “unauthorized zones,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In an August…

On witness stand, former AT&T lobbyist describes how Madigan ally got $22,500 contract

On witness stand, former AT&T lobbyist describes how Madigan ally got $22,500 contract

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – The day before Thanksgiving in 2016, then-AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza read some news that frustrated him. It seemed that energy giant Exelon, the parent company of Chicago-based electric utility Commonwealth Edison, was going to get a big assist from Springfield that would prevent it…

Coroner’s affidavit shows as many as 800 human remains could have been misidentified

Coroner’s affidavit shows as many as 800 human remains could have been misidentified

By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com As many as 800 families across the country who patronized a Carlinville funeral home may never know if the remains on their mantles belong to their loved ones, according to an affidavit signed by Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. The affidavit was filed in a lawsuit pending against…

Calculated bribe or ‘kiss up’ to Madigan? Corruption trial kicks off for former AT&T boss

Calculated bribe or ‘kiss up’ to Madigan? Corruption trial kicks off for former AT&T boss

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – As the federal corruption trial of former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza formally kicked off on Wednesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys painted two very different pictures of a political hire the telecom giant made in 2017. La Schiazza is accused of bribing former Illinois House…

Supreme Court hears cases pertaining to detention under the SAFE-T Act

Supreme Court hears cases pertaining to detention under the SAFE-T Act

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a pair of cases that test the authority of local courts to hold criminal suspects behind bars while they await trial. The cases come almost one year to the day after the court allowed a new law abolishing…

Supreme Court hears cases pertaining to detention under the SAFE-T Act

Supreme Court hears cases pertaining to detention under the SAFE-T Act

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a pair of cases that test the authority of local courts to hold criminal suspects behind bars while they await trial. The cases come almost one year to the day after the court allowed a new law abolishing…

Jury selection begins in trial of former AT&T Illinois boss accused of bribing Madigan

Jury selection begins in trial of former AT&T Illinois boss accused of bribing Madigan

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Jury selection is set to begin Tuesday in the trial of former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza, who federal prosecutors allege bribed once-powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation in Springfield. It’s the last in a series of related trials that…

East St. Louis forum to tackle persistent childhood poverty

East St. Louis forum to tackle persistent childhood poverty

By MOLLY PARKER  Capitol News Illinois  mparker@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois has the potential to eradicate childhood poverty, but it will require a concentrated, sustained effort in partnership with families and disadvantaged communities, says Tasha Green Cruzat, president of Children’s Advocates for Change, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on childhood wellbeing. This hope drives the focus of the policy…

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