Local News
By Steve Metsch The company that owns Tavern on La Grange have agreed to a settlement with the City of Countryside that will cost them thousands of dollars. The $14,350 covers unpaid fines and building code violations. A deal hammered out during a Nov. 1 hearing resulted in the fines being cut in half. One…
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By Steve Metsch There appears to be an end to one long-running construction project in Countryside, McCook and Hodgkins. But another project has once again been extended in Countryside. The good news for motorists who drive on East Avenue between 55th Street may be bidding farewell to orange construction barrels and closed lanes. Roadwork on…
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By Bob Bong Five La Grange teenagers have opened a new venture inside Lyons Township Hall in Countryside that aims to cut down on the number of household appliances and other items that people mostly throw out when they break. The Repair Café will be held in the township community room, 6404 Joliet Road in…
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By Steve Metsch At least one Countryside resident is tired of hearing odd noises that wake him in the middle of the night. With that in mind, Nico Sutkus spoke on the topic at the Sept. 27 meeting of the Countryside City Council. Sutkus, 22, who resides in the 9500 block of 56th Street, said…
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State Senator Mike Porfirio (D-11th) announced that 12 school districts across the area will receive over $6.2 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years. “Evidence-based funding supports educational opportunities that contribute to the long-term success of our students,” said Porfirio. “Through this funding formula, we can ensure that a…
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By Steve Metsch In attempt to stop motorists from cutting through a neighborhood – and to the chagrin of some residents there – the Countryside City Council has approved installing “no right turn” signs along East Avenue at 56th, 57th and 58th streets. More motorists have been using those side streets as shortcuts between East…
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By Steve Metsch A suspected tornado slammed into the south part of Countryside around 6 p.m. Wednesday, causing plenty of damage but no known injuries. Damage was also reported in Hodgkins, Lyons and McCook. “There’s lots of damage, but no injuries have been reported. That’s great news,” Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott said at 8:45 p.m.…
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By Steve Metsch We all know you can get your kicks on Route 66. But soon, thanks to $2.5 million grant from the state, you will get your kicks crossing over Route 66. The historic highway – known as Joliet Road in Countryside – will be getting a pedestrian bridge at the intersection with Brainard…
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By Steve Metsch Lo and behold, there is a bidder for a public works project in Countryside. A few months after learning no bids had been submitted for the Sunset Avenue water main replacement, city engineer John Fitzgerald was pleased to inform the city council on June 14 that an interested company has been found.…
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By Steve Metsch The city of Countryside may be going to the dogs. At a city council meeting earlier this year, Mayor Sean McDermott said he was interested in opening a dog park in Countryside. “I’ve heard a number of residents bring it up during the campaign,” McDermott said. “I’d like to ask the infrastructure…
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Justice lights village Christmas trees
By Carol McGowan Justice village officials spent a few minutes before their board meeting last week to celebrate the holiday season by lighting the village Christmas tree and other decorated trees in front of the village hall. Mayor Kris Wasowicz lit the tree and wished everyone a wonderful holiday season. After the tree lighting, the…
Beds Plus to hold ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ pop-up bar in Brookfield
George Bailey is coming to Brookfield for the Beds Plus third annual “It’s a Wonderful Life” pop-up bar. Come and get your wings from Nick to help those in need of “a couple of decent rooms and a bath.” Beds Plus works to reduce and end homelessness in your community. The pop-up event is set…
Consultant backs Willow Springs on zoning of LTHS parcel
By Steve Metsch All for one and one for all was the theme of last week’s community meeting held at the Willow Springs Village Hall. Concerned residents, politicians from the village and surrounding communities joined in their opposition to any industrial development of a parcel of land in the village owned by the Lyons Township…
2 men charged in shooting of Bedford Park cop
By Bob Bong A Blue Island man was charged last week with attempted murder in the shooting of a Bedford Park police officer in the early morning hours of November 26. Raul Perez, 24, of Blue Island, was charged with one count of attempted first degree murder of a police officer, one count of attempted…
Openlands grant brings 40 new trees to Justice park
From staff reports A total of 40 new trees were recently planted at Commissioners Park in Justice thanks to an Openlands TreePlanters Grant awarded to the Justice Park District. Over 50 people gathered on October 28 to participate in the tree planting event, including community members, volunteers, Openlands staff, Justice Park District staff and commissioners,…
Boys Basketball | Marist unbeaten heading into clash with Marian Catholic
By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Four quarters were not enough time to determine a winner between Marist and St. Laurence in a Chicago Elite Classic matchup. The RedHawks prevailed, doubling up the Vikings in overtime to take home a 49-44 win and improve to 6-0. The game was played December 1 at Credit Union 1 Arena…
Boys Basketball | Stagg off to a strong start, dr
By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Stagg has started the season strong, opening by winning the title at their own John McBride over Thanksgiving weekend. The Chargers won the championship game, 49-45, over Plainfield South. Senior guard Connor Williams was named MVP of the tournament, and teammates David Ortiz and Domas Narcevicius were named to the All-Tournament…
Illinois News
Supreme Court rules teen bicyclist is covered by father’s auto insurance policy
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that automobile insurance policies must cover people against uninsured motorists and hit-and-run accidents, even if the person covered by the policy is not in a vehicle at the time of the accident. The case involved a 14-year-old Chicago boy, Cristopher…
Pritzker signs measure allowing new small-scale nuclear technology in Illinois
By JERRY NOWICKI & ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law a measure that will allow for the limited development of new nuclear power generation technology in the state. The measure, House Bill 2473, does not allow new large-scale power generation facilities like the six plants that are…
Capitol Cast: Halfway through FY ’24, CNI’s Jerry Nowicki breaks down estimates and predictions
With new estimates from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, as well as Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Capitol News Illinois’ Jennifer Fuller talks with Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki about how the numbers shake out. Capitol News Illinois · Capitol Cast: Halfway through FY ’24, CNI’s Jerry Nowicki breaks down estimates and predictions…
Chicago utility pushes back against state oversight, asks for further rate increase
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Chicago utility Peoples Gas is requesting a multimillion-dollar bump to its already record-high rate increase approved by regulators last month. In November, the Illinois Commerce Commission forced a yearlong pause on the company’s controversial pipeline replacement program while it investigates whether the program adequately prioritizes replacing…
State health plan declares racism a public health crisis
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com A new state health report pinpoints racism as a public health crisis while also noting Illinois needs to improve in the areas of maternal and infant health, mental health and substance use disorders. The broad goals are laid out in a draft of the State Health Improvement Plan,…
For at least 6 months, state failed to act on Carlinville funeral director that mishandled remains
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com State regulators allowed a Carlinville funeral director to operate for months despite a complaint filed by a local coroner who found a decomposing body in his funeral home and alleged the care of the remains was “unacceptable and criminal in nature.” While trying to assist a local family…
Dolly Parton Imagination Library officially launches statewide in Illinois
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children’s books that can be sent directly to their home, regardless of their income. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the official launch of the state’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program founded…
What to know about Illinois’ assault weapons ban
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Gun owners face a Jan. 1 deadline to register their assault weapons with the state under Illinois’ assault weapons law. But between lawsuits and ongoing policymaking, the exact guns, accessories and ammunition covered under the Protect Illinois Communities Act remain unclear to many gun rights advocates, who point…
Capitol Cast: Filing Day for 2024 primary brings frigid temps and election themes to Springfield
Capitol News Illinois Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller talks with Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki about the 2023 petition filing deadline for Illinois’ 2024 primary election. Capitol News Illinois · Capitol Cast: Filing Day for 2024 primary brings frigid temps and election themes to Springfield
Supreme Court rules teen bicyclist is covered by father’s auto insurance policy
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that automobile insurance policies must cover people against uninsured motorists and hit-and-run accidents, even if the person covered by the policy is not in a vehicle at the time of the accident. The case involved a 14-year-old Chicago boy, Cristopher…