Local News
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi last week released the initial assessments of residential and commercial properties in Worth Township. “I strongly encourage property owners to review their reassessment notice to ensure their property characteristics and market value reflect their home,” said Kaegi. “It is important to understand that assessments in Cook County reflect market value…
Read MoreBy Kelly White Community High School District 218 is preparing young minds for bright futures. The district hosted a college a College and Career Fair on October 25 at the District Administration Center, 10701 S. Kilpatrick in Oak Lawn. “Attending the college fair is an eye-opening experience where you can uncover your true potential, connect…
Read MoreWorth Township Youth Commission is now accepting donations of new toys and new clothing for the Township’s Christmas Care Program. The program provides families who are struggling financially with a little extra help filling stockings for their children up to age 14. Toys and other gifts can be dropped off during regular business hours, Monday…
Read MoreThe Worth Park District was the recipient of a donated park sign from the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991 for Veterans Memorial Park, located at 111th Street and Harlem Avenue in Worth. “We are appreciative of the American Legion for this generous donation,” said Robert O’Shaughnessy, Director of Parks and Recreation. “We know that the…
Read MoreBy Bob Bong When Queen of Peace High School in Burbank announced it was closing in 2018, the good folks at AERO special education co-op saw a golden opportunity. They purchased the school’s 13-acre site at 7659 S. Linder Ave. in August 2019 for $3.2 million. The plan was to retrofit the high school for…
Read MoreBy Kelly White Monday’s rain postponed Shepard High School’s 9/11 Remembrance; however, it did not make it any less meaningful. On the morning of Tuesday, September 12, the high school’s JROTC students and countless staff members met on the school’s football field, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, to honor all of the fallen heroes…
Read MoreBy Bob Bong Hoyne Savings Bank on Tuesday announced the promotion of Walter Healy to president of the longtime community bank that has served Chicagoland communities since 1887. Healy joined Hoyne in 2022 as executive vice president – commercial lending to launch a commercial division for the bank. Healy will succeed current president and CEO…
Read MoreFrom staff reports The Shepard High School community gathered on Friday, August 18, to celebrate the start of a new football season with the customary Orange and Brown Game. Beautiful weather, performances by the varsity dance team, and free sno-cones for everyone helped make the evening at Shepard stadium a wonderful occasion. Booster Club also…
Read MoreFrom staff reports The enchanting scent of glowing charcoal filled the air at Richards High School as fans, friends, alumni, and students gathered to celebrate the start of a new football season at the traditional Black and Gold Game on August 18. The marching band and cheerleaders performed, volunteers grilled and packaged hamburgers and hot…
Read MoreBy Joe Boyle Summer is slipping away but Worth Mayor Mary Werner reminds residents that an outdoor concert will be a highlight this weekend. The Outdoor Music Fest will be held from 6 to10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991, 11001 S. Depot St. Members of the post also remind…
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Area Sports Report | Stagg flag football coach invited to Super Bowl
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Saja Alnajjar said she became a football fan growing up, and one of the first games she watched was Super Bowl XLI between the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts in February 2007. Little did she know then that she would someday be a football coach. And little did she know…

College Report | SXU beats Trinity in battle of interim coaches
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer It was a battle featuring two interim coaches on the sidelines. Both Saint Xavier and Trinity Christian College had to find women’s basketball coaches roughly a month before the start of practice this season, and the athletic departments went to work. SXU hired assistant coach Sidney Lovitsch as an interim…

Girls Hoops Wrap | Oak Lawn sees a lot in first 10 games
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Oak Lawn’s girls basketball team beat Lindblom 64-14 on Dec. 9. The Spartans also lost a game 52-18 against Wheaton North on Nov. 24. They have just about seen it all while compiling a 6-4 record to open the season. Close games. Blowouts. But they entered this week with a…

Unbeaten Oak Lawn edges Evergreen Park on late free throws
By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Oak Lawn forward Henry Martinez has long thought about playing for the Spartans. Martinez is not only playing for them, but he is also becoming a key contributor for an Oak Lawn team that entered this week unbeaten. His 20-point performance and some clutch free-throws were instrumental in maintaining that prefect…

Palos 118 school board member honored for continued learning
Pam Paris, a member of the Palos School District 118 Board of Education, has been recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards for her participation in a number of professional development and leadership activities during her service as a school board member. IASB recognizes school board members who show a dedication and desire to learn more about local school governance, adding to their leadership skills, knowledge of state and national educational issues, and commitment to serving in trust of their community and their students. Paris acquired 40 credits to earn IASB’s Board Leader Recognition status. Because of Paris’ ongoing commitment to…

Pekau encourages discussions between residents and officials
By Jeff Vorva Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau was philosophical about local and national politics. During the Dec. 4 village board meeting, he relayed a story about some events he recently attended and how he got to know some high-profile politicians in a more relaxed setting, and he encouraged residents of Orland Park to do…

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…

High 5 Heights retail shop opens in Palos Heights
By Kelly White The first retail store to train, employ, sell products made by adults with special needs opened its doors in Palos Heights. The store, called, High 5 Heights at 12213 S. Harlem, Palos Heights, provides a new era of opportunity for adult students with special needs within the District 218 community. High 5…

Fine, community service for woman who killed man in fatal accident
Victim’s family outraged over outcome By Steve Metsch Six months after the car she was driving hit and killed Murod Kurdi, Leanne Cusack had her day in court. On Tuesday, she was found guilty of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident – the only charge against her – for the fatal June 5…
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…