Florida group acquires Chicago Ridge Mall

reporter chicago ridge mall

By Bob Bong Chicago Ridge Mall opened in 1981 on the former site of the Starlite Drive-In Theater, which had closed in 1979 after a three-decade run. It was expanded in 1986. It has had several owners over the years including the Lenhdorff Group, which bought the mall in 1986 and turned around and sold…

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Stagg runs away with ISBE awards

STAGG AND 230

By Jeff Vorva Stagg High School cleaned house in winning several Those Who Excel awards from the Illinois State Board of Education. The Charger Team Space at Stagg won an ISBE team award for meritorious service. Team members are Nicole Leibfried, Tricia Biel, Pat Wright, Jacob Randulich, Eric Elget, Ayaa Al Kurdi, Matt Seibt, Mary…

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Expanded early voting now underway

early voting 2024

From staff reports Expanded early voting for suburban residents kicked off on Monday at more than 50 polling locations in village halls, community centers, and courthouses across Cook County suburban communities. Suburban voters will have 53 sites to choose from to cast an early ballot in advance of the 2024 Presidential Primary Election on March 19. Early voting…

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Final days for Teehan’s Tavern — for now

biz 2 27 24 teehans

By Bob Bong Teehan’s Tavern in Tinley Park will be closing at the end of the day on Sunday, March 3. The 171-year-old building that has been home to the iconic tavern for more than 100 years will be razed in March to make way for the village’s Harmony Square development. The plan is to…

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Hickory Hills considers buying license-plate readers

Flock Safety camera on pole

By Nuha Abdesallam Hickory Hills city officials are considering acquiring license plate reading cameras after a presentation by police at last week’s city council meeting. Flock Safety cameras are already in use by over 150 agencies in Illinois, helping to restrict crime by providing data about where and when vehicles have been tagged on its…

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Brew Moon raises $33,000 for two charitable organizations

dvn 2 26 24 brew moon donation

By Steve Metsch Two local charitable organizations will benefit from the 12th annual Brew Moon Beer & Band Festival held in October at the MAX in McCook. The Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation, based in Indian Head Park, and Community Support Services, based in Brookfield, each received $16,500. Checks were presented to representatives of each…

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Ex-McCook police chief sentenced to 27 months in extortion plot

Mario DePasquale 1

By Bob Bong Mario DePasquale, the former police chief of McCook, was sentenced last week to more than two years in federal prison after pleading guilty last year to conspiring with the village’s former mayor to extort two businessmen out of tens of thousands of dollars. DePasquale, 50, was sentenced February 21 to 27 months…

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Fournier resigns from TTO to become judge

Hon. Koula Fornier

From staff reports The Lyons Township Trustees of Schools is accepting applications for a vacancy on their board, after Trustee Koula A. Fournier resigned earlier this month after being sworn-in as a Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court. Fournier was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill the Maloney vacancy of the 4th…

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Comings & Goings: Joey’s Red Hots to open Monday in Orland Hills

biz 2 20 24 joeys red hots orland hills

By Bob Bong Co-owner Anthony Nardo is not one to miss an opportunity to expand the reach of the Joey’s Red Hots empire. The Orland Park-based chain of restaurants has set Monday, February 26, as the opening date for its newest Joey’s location, in Orland Hills. Nardo and his partner Nick Iozzo jumped quickly when…

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