Local News

Forest View Trustee David Liska

Forest View Trustee David Liska to run for mayor

By Carol Mcgowan / October 26, 2024 / Comments Off on Forest View Trustee David Liska to run for mayor

Forest View Trustee David Liska has announced he will be running for mayor in the April 2025 election. Liska is currently in his fourth year as a current trustee. He had previously held a seat on the board in the late 1980s and early 1990s. When his original term ended, Liska said he chose not…

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Stickney Township at Forest View 10 8 24 meeting

Forest View loses 2 officials in sudden resignations, mayor ‘saddened’

By Carol Mcgowan / October 14, 2024 / Comments Off on Forest View loses 2 officials in sudden resignations, mayor ‘saddened’

On Oct. 8, the Forest View village board meeting took a surprising turn when two key officials resigned during a portion of the meeting that was closed to the public. Forest View Administrator Michael Dropka submitted his resignation to trustees who met behind closed doors to discuss an “employee personnel matter,” according to the meeting…

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Invest in Cook transportation projects coming to south suburbs

By Bob Bong / August 7, 2024 / Comments Off on Invest in Cook transportation projects coming to south suburbs

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined the County’s Department of Transportation and Highways last week to announce the list of 35 projects that will receive funding under the 2024 ‘Invest in Cook’ grant program, including projects in Summit, Forest View, Evergreen Park  and Worth Township. A total of $7,995,113 will be distributed across 26 municipalities, four…

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Forest View swears in new police officers

By Carol Mcgowan / March 22, 2024 / Comments Off on Forest View swears in new police officers

By Carol McGowan The Village of Forest View has a new full-time police officer and a newly promoted corporal on the force. In front of a full-house at their February 27 Board of Trustees meeting, Clerk Laura McGuffey did the honors swearing-in Maria Guzman as a full-time officer, and promoting Officer Jorge Sanchez to the…

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Retired Chicago cop Vasquez takes on incumbent Rep. Rashid in 21st District

By Steve Metsch / March 15, 2024 / Comments Off on Retired Chicago cop Vasquez takes on incumbent Rep. Rashid in 21st District

By Steve Metsch A one-term state representative and a retired Chicago police officer will square off in the March 19 Democratic primary for the 21st House District. Incumbent Abdelnasser Rashid, 34, of Bridgeview, is challenged by Vidal Vasquez, 62, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community. This isn’t Vasquez’ first foray into politics. He ran an unsuccessful…

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Campaign 2024: Rashid to seek re-election in 21st District 

By Bob Bong / December 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Campaign 2024: Rashid to seek re-election in 21st District 

By Bob Bong  The holiday season also marks the beginning of the 2024 election cycle in Illinois as candidates in the March 19 primary have already filed their petitions to run. The 2022 primary was moved to June, but next year’s primary is moving back to its traditional third Tuesday in March date. The biggest…

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Forest View celebrates annual Oktoberfest

By Carol Mcgowan / October 21, 2023 /

The Village of Forest View held its third annual Oktoberfest celebration at Forest View Park on Saturday, October 7. This is now an annual free event for all Forest View residents and it keeps growing every year. This year featured music by The Polka Pals, and American English. The village provided free food, including bratwurst,…

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Mayor Miller with Chief Zarate

Forest View names Zarate as police chief

By Carol Mcgowan / September 8, 2023 /

By Carol McGowan  There’s a new chief in town in Forest View. It was a full house at their August 22 village board meeting, when longtime village police officer, Bianel Zarate, had a ceremonial swearing in as police chief by Village Clerk Laura McGuffey. He had taken over as police chief on August 3. Those…

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News from Springfield: 12 school districts to receive an additional $6.2 million 

By Bob Bong / September 2, 2023 /

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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Comings & Goings: County approves $37 million Central Avenue bridge project

By Bob Bong / July 30, 2023 / Comments Off on Comings & Goings: County approves $37 million Central Avenue bridge project

By Bob Bong The Cook County Board of Commissioners has approved $37 million for the reconstruction of the Central Avenue bridge over the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal in Stickney and Forest View.  An additional $1.7 million was approved to replace sidewalk curb ramps along roadways throughout the county.   The projects are designed to boost…

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Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 4-5

Dec. 5 Boys TF North 67, Argo 52: Kassam Saleh scored 15 for the Argonauts (2-3, 0-1 South Suburban Red). Girls Reavis 49, Tinley Park 25: Emily Grochola scored 13 points to lead the Rams (4-2, 1-0 South Suburban Red) past the Titans. Shepard 52, TF South 49: Jessica Manley’s 21 points helped the Astros…

With his mom Nicole at his side, Richards running back Myles Mitchell made his college commitment to North Dakota State official on Dec. 4. Photo by Mike Clark

Richards’ Myles Mitchell signs with North Dakota State

Myles Mitchell is one of the state’s premier running backs, with a bright future with one of the nation’s best FCS programs. But the path hasn’t always been easy for the Richards senior, who made his college commitment to North Dakota State official during a signing ceremony on Dec. 4. “Eighth grade was kind of…

Brad Johnson Jr. scored a game-high 19 points to help Curie rally past Lane 48-46 on Dec. 5. Photo by Mike Clark

Brad Johnson Jr. finds range, leads Curie past Lane

Facing what was literally a tall task against Lane on Dec. 5, Curie was in serious need of a spark. Brad Johnson Jr. provided it. Led by 6-foot-10 Penn recruit Dalton Scantlebury, Lane is one of the area’s biggest teams. Curie was undersized by comparison in the Public League Red Shield opener and trailed by…

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Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 2-3

Dec. 3 Boys Andrew 72, Argo 50: Darron Greer Jr. led the Argonauts (2-2) with 14 points. Evergreen Park 70, U-High 58: Keshaun Vaval had 25 points to lead the Mustangs (3-1). Lonnie Mosley added 17 points and Camryn Dandridge grabbed 14 rebounds. Lemont 65, Stagg 35: Omar Barakat scored 17 for the Chargers (0-4).…

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Football signing day: Local recruits

Here is a list of football players in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area committed to Division I schools. Please email additions or corrections to mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Brother Rice Tyler Lofton, RB, Illinois State Jimmie Maxson, WR, North Dakota Charlie Stec, Edge, Western Illinois Lyons Tyler Chambers, OL, Northern Illinois Travis Stamm, WR, Illinois State Marist…

Junior Michael Oliver Jr. will be counted on for scoring and leadership for Curie this season. Photo by Mike Clark

Michael Oliver Jr. offers veteran presence for new-look Curie

There are a lot of new faces at Curie this winter. Gone are the five senior starters from a 31-3 team that won the Public League title and lost by two points to eventual Class 4A champion Homewood-Flossmoor in the Elite Eight. But veteran coach Mike Oliver is back and so is his son, junior…

Argo's Kassam Saleh tries to split defenders on his way to the basket for a layup against Plainfield South on Nov. 27. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys basketball notebook: Kassam Saleh, Argo aiming high this season

Kassam Saleh is ready to set the tone for Argo. “As time goes on you gain the most experience on the team and become that leader for everyone else,” said Saleh, a senior guard. “They follow you.” The Argonauts finished runner-up in the John McBride Classic at Stagg, falling 50-44 to Plainfield South on Nov.…

Illinois News

Illinois American Water will increase water rates

Illinois American Water will increase water rates

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO — The state’s largest private water utility, Illinois American Water, will increase customer bills in the new year. The move comes after state regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the requested increase on Thursday. The five-member board approved a $110 million increase for the company, a 30% reduction from the…

Jurors see list of Madigan’s job recommendations given to newly elected Gov. Pritzker

Jurors see list of Madigan’s job recommendations given to newly elected Gov. Pritzker

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – In the weeks following now-Gov. JB Pritzker’s November 2018 victory over one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan busied himself preparing for a brand new administration after years of conflict with governors of both parties. One of his first priorities was finding jobs for his political…

How RFK Jr.’s health proposals could affect Illinois

How RFK Jr.’s health proposals could affect Illinois

Capitol News Illinois Every new presidential administration comes with policy changes, but the incoming second administration of President-elect Donald Trump and his proposed secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., could dramatically reshape the public health landscape. Kennedy, a former political rival of Trump, became a close ally of Trump over the…

‘You won’t spend a day in jail’: Madigan attorney hammers Solis’ agreement with feds

‘You won’t spend a day in jail’: Madigan attorney hammers Solis’ agreement with feds

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – The day after Christmas 2018, then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis signed an agreement with federal prosecutors, with whom he’d spent the last 2 ½ years working as a secret cooperating witness in a sprawling corruption investigation. Solis’ undercover work helped bring down two of Illinois’ biggest and longest-serving Democratic powerbrokers. Former…

Pritkzer education policy advisor named to head new Department of Early Childhood

Pritkzer education policy advisor named to head new Department of Early Childhood

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday appointed Teresa Ramos to be the first permanent secretary of the newly-formed Illinois Department of Early Childhood. “I’m eager to get started working with an incredible team of state employees, parents and families, advocates, and early childhood providers to create something exceptional that will give…

Semi driver involved in fatal crash of deputy had previous unreported DUI conviction, prompting call for federal audit

Semi driver involved in fatal crash of deputy had previous unreported DUI conviction, prompting call for federal audit

Capitol News Illinois Four years before police said he caused a crash that killed a DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy, Nathan Sweeney pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and having 44 grams of heroin in his car – an offense that, if properly reported to the secretary of state, should have led to the revocation…

Madigan attorney accuses Solis of not telling feds ‘all the crimes you committed’

Madigan attorney accuses Solis of not telling feds ‘all the crimes you committed’

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis spent more than 2 ½ years living a double life as an FBI cooperating witness after agents approached him in 2016, asking him to wear a wire on his colleagues or risk being charged for multiple bribes he’d taken while in office. Solis’ extraordinary cooperation…

State Board of Elections certifies election results showing decline in turnout

State Board of Elections certifies election results showing decline in turnout

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Vice President Kamala Harris won Illinois by nearly 11 points as turnout dipped in 2024, according to official election results certified by the State Board of Elections. The board met Monday to certify the results of the 2024 election and released final vote totals for races around the state, including…

Appellate Court finds former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson should be released until trial

Appellate Court finds former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson should be released until trial

Capitol News Illinois Prosecutors will ask the Illinois Supreme Court to review an appellate court ruling that found former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should be released from jail pending trial on charges related to the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey. On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the 4th District Court of Appeals ordered…

Illinois rolls out first phase of plan to modernize professional licensing

Illinois rolls out first phase of plan to modernize professional licensing

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation launched a new online licensing system this fall, the first phase in a plan to modernize the management and licensing process for service providers across the state. The system improvements are part of efforts to make doing business easier and more efficient…