Local News
Stickney promotes first female police sergeant, 2 corporals
Three officers from the Stickney Police Department were promoted at the Nov. 6 Stickney Board of Trustees meeting. The board approved Police Chief James Sassetti’s promotion recommendations unanimously. Before a full boardroom of family, fellow officers, and residents, Ashley McDonald, Brian Kelliher, and Mitchell Hattan were elevated in rank. McDonald, previously a watch commander, was…
Residents, Chicago activists react to shooting near Garfield Ridge tavern
Garfield Ridge residents expressed fear and frustration Sunday night after a shooting Friday night in the 7000 block of West Archer Avenue killed one person and injured two. Residents and Chicago activists held a press conference Sunday night outside the former Halina’s Pub at 7023 W. Archer and called for the tavern’s permanent closure and…
1 killed, 2 hurt in Garfield Ridge shooting
One man was killed and two others were wounded in a shootout Friday night in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood. The shooting took place in the 7000 block of West Archer Avenue in what may have been an illegally operating bar. Police said two men – ages 27 and 31 – were walking down the street…
Rhine VFW Post pays tribute to veterans
Veterans Day was celebrated last week by members of Rhine VFW Post 2729 in a ceremony that welcomed veterans, family and guests. The post at 5858 S. Archer Ave. has members from Garfield Ridge and Clearing and a number of suburban members who moved over after the VFW Post in Summit closed a few years…
Stagg High students explore trade careers at vocational fair
Stagg High School students had a chance to explore careers in the trade industry on Tuesday during a Vocational Fair at the school’s campus, 8015 W. 111th St., aimed at broadening their exposure to post-secondary options. “Every student has an individual path and goal for their future, and each should have the opportunity to learn…
Justice board OKs purchase of upgraded Tasers
Justice Village Board members have approved purchasing seven Taser 10 devices for $52,656 from Axon Enterprises Inc. The new equipment is expected to be ready for use in early 2025 after officers complete training. Deputy Police Chief Fred Schuerg highlighted the advancements of the Taser 10s compared to the older Taser 7s during the board’s…
UPDATE: Priest cleared of abuse charges
A local priest who was asked to step aside over allegations of sexual abuse of a minor was reinstated by the Chicago Archdiocese on Saturday. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services closed their investigation of the Rev. Martin “Marty” Marren, who was temporarily relieved of his duties on Nov. 9. The priest had…
Palos Hills Honors Veterans with Heartfelt Memorial Service
With reverence and gratitude, Palos Hills honored its veterans Saturday at a moving memorial service, where community members gathered to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve. Veterans, local officials, and residents filled the Palos Hills Community Center, joining in a collective expression of respect for military service and sacrifice. The…
Retired St. Patricia pastor cleared of sexual abuse allegation
The Archdiocese of Chicago has cleared retired Father William Killeen of allegations of sexual abuse following an investigation. Father Killeen, who served as an associate pastor at St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills from 1982 to 1989, had been accused of abusing a minor over 40 years ago during his time at the parish. The…
LaGrange park district improvements advance with voter support
Voters approved a $13.86 million referendum for the Park District of La Grange on Tuesday, with 74 percent voting in favor. With 10 of 12 precincts reporting, 5,340 yes votes were recorded, compared to 1,898 no votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website. “We’re very excited,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park…
Slain West Lawn CPD Officer Martinez shooting suspect charged
A 23-year-old man has been charged with the shooting death of Officer Enrique Martinez, a Hubbard High School graduate and West Lawn resident, who was killed in the line of duty on Chicago’s South Side. The fatal encounter has reignited citywide concerns over rising gun violence and its toll on both residents and law enforcement.…
Oak Lawn’s Howl-O-Ween Brings Thrills, Chills, and Family Fun
On a crisp October evening, the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge transformed into a magical, spooky wonderland as families gathered for Oak Lawn’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration. Laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves, while costumed children raced from one activity station to the next, collecting treats and creating memories under the twilight sky. The Oak Lawn Park…
Presidential candidate Jill Stein advocates for People Power at Green Party Forum in Orland Park
Nonprofit organizations Al Hub and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) co-hosted a Q&A forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Held at an office building in Orland Park, located at 16101 S. 108th Avenue, the event showcased the Green Party’s focus on community-driven activism, branding itself as a…
Oak Lawn girls volleyball repeats at SSC Red champs
The Oak Lawn Community High School girls volleyball team opened the season steamrolling the competition. In fact, they repeated as champions at the Fenton Bison Blast-off Tournament, and didn’t even lose a single set before heading into their own Spartan Classic in late September. They finished fourth there, but they learned how to react when…
Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead
The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…
Burbank police adopt a 12-hour work schedule
Burbank police will make permanent a trial program that moved them from working eight-hour tours to now working 12-hour shifts. The city approved the work schedule at its Oct. 23 city council meeting. The city confirmed the 12-hour work schedule memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Council of Police. This means that Burbank police officers,…
Bridgeview man faces felony charges in carjacking, armed robbery spree
Two men were charged Thursday with multiple felonies after a series of armed robberies and a carjacking in Chicago, authorities said. James Robinson, 21, of the 100 block of East 119th Street in Chicago, and Damian Macias, 21, of the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, were arrested by the Citywide Vehicular Hijacking…
3 Midway-area friends win $1.4 million playing Lucky Day Lotto
Three Illinois Lottery players went in together on a Lucky Day Lotto ticket and struck big – winning $1.4 million. The lucky three, nicknamed “Tommy Lotto and Crew,” have been friends for decades. Tommy purchased the jackpot-winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket for the Monday, October 4, midday drawing at his local Mobil gas station near…
WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday at favorite pancake spot
World War II veteran Rich Olund celebrated his 100th birthday sipping coffee with his best friend at his favorite diner, Lumes Pancake House in Palos Heights. He drew quite a crowd. Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau even stopped by to wish the local centenarian a happy birthday at a…
Palos Bridge Club bonds boomers and beyond
In the 1970s, while attending the University of Illinois in Champaign, David Groebe looked for ways to spend his free time. Alongside some classmates, he discovered bridge – a game he calls “the ultimate trick-taking card game” and “one of the greatest card games played by four people.” “It started as something to do instead…
Illinois News
In wake of Massey shooting, Sangamon County target of DOJ Investigation
Capitol News Illinois The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office is under investigation by the U. S. Department of Justice for civil rights violations, but the probe may go beyond the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. The U.S. Department of Justice’s civil rights probe will investigate the sheriff’s department, but also Sangamon County Central Dispatch and the…
Judge dismisses biometric data privacy lawsuit citing revised state law
Capitol News Illinois A clarification to Illinois’ biometric data privacy law made by state lawmakers earlier this year limits the size of damages that can be claimed in lawsuits over Biometric Information Privacy Act violations, a federal judge ruled last week. It’s an early indication that the courts are willing to apply a recent amendment…
Illinois Democrats brace for second Trump administration amid return to Springfield
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – During Donald Trump’s first term as president, Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly spent much of their time enacting laws and policies in direct opposition to the conservative agenda they saw coming from the White House. Those included the 2019 Reproductive Health Act that declared abortion…
‘Make it a federal court suit’: Jurors hear wiretap of McClain describing subcontracts alleged to be bribes
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – For nearly eight years, former Chicago Ald. Frank Olivo had a monthly ritual. The retired politician would sign an invoice for $4,000 – always identical but for the date – that said the money was owed for “services rendered in connection with Commonwealth Edison.” Most months, Olivo would go to…
Judge weighs whether to acquit ex-AT&T boss after hung jury in corruption case
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO — Paul La Schiazza, the ex-boss of AT&T Illinois accused of bribing a powerful politician, could be a free man next month. After three hours of oral arguments on Thursday, a federal judge is now weighing whether to grant the former telecom exec’s request for acquittal following a high-profile mistrial earlier…
Illinois medical debt relief program erases $72M of debt thus far
Capitol News Illinois A state pilot program designed to erase medical debt for 300,000 Illinois residents has already helped thousands eliminate $72 million of debt, the governor’s office announced Thursday. The Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program launched on July 1 – the start of the state’s 2025 fiscal year. Since then, it has erased debt…
Families, providers of early intervention services seek $60 million in new state funding
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Early childhood intervention advocates are calling on the state to increase funding by $60 million to better support children with developmental delays and disabilities who are on long waiting lists for the critical services and care. “Babies can’t wait” is the rallying cry for Raising Illinois, the coalition championing the…
‘You agreed to wear wires against your ComEd family’: Star witness in Madigan trial grilled on cross-examination
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Before the sun rose on a cold Wednesday morning in January 2019, Fidel Marquez agreed to a life-altering assignment as a cooperating witness in a criminal case the government was building against his colleagues at electric utility Commonwealth Edison and powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Marquez agreed to the…
Plan to ban carbon injections near aquifers stalls in Senate
Capitol News Illinois An Illinois Senate committee hit pause on a bill to ban carbon sequestration injections near aquifers after more than an hour of debate Wednesday. Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, asked that the Senate Executive Committee to wait to act on Senate Bill 3968, which would have banned the practice, until lawmakers…
Carbondale faces legal battle over protest restrictions outside abortion clinics
Capitol News Illinois The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade turned Carbondale into a critical medical hub: Following the Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022, three clinics offering abortion services opened in the small, liberal university town in conservative rural southern Illinois. It’s now the closest place for people across a huge…
