Local News

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Evergreen Park food pantry expands Thanksgiving aid

By Joe Boyle / November 19, 2024 / Comments Off on Evergreen Park food pantry expands Thanksgiving aid

As families prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, volunteers from the Evergreen Park Food Pantry are stepping up to support those in need. Evergreen Park Trustees Carol Kyle and Mark Phelan have been leading efforts to collect food and clothing for residents facing hard times. They are joined by the Village Pantry Coalition, established in 1981 by…

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Evergreen Park cops nab suspects with license-plate reading camera help

By Joe Boyle / November 5, 2024 / Comments Off on Evergreen Park cops nab suspects with license-plate reading camera help

Commendations are in order for members of the Evergreen Park Police Department who recently made a series of arrests that may have prevented major crimes. A license-plate reading camera alerted Evergreen Park police to a vehicle wanted by Markham Police for fleeing and eluding officers. Police found the vehicle parked at Aldi, 2541 W. 95th…

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Mayor Mike Howley Mary Esposito and City Clerk Joe Stachnik

Hickory Hills earns EV readiness recognition from Metro Mayors Caucus

By Nuha Abdessalam / November 2, 2024 / Comments Off on Hickory Hills earns EV readiness recognition from Metro Mayors Caucus

The City of Hickory Hills has been recognized and awarded for completing the EV Readiness Program. The Program involves government initiatives that streamline EV guidelines, expand for EVs, and accommodate best charging practices. Mayor Mike Howley and city Clerk Joe Stachnik brought home several plaques from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Ceremony, held on Friday, August…

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Chicago Ridge trustees reinstates clerk as a full-time job

By Dermot Connolly / October 29, 2024 /

The Chicago Ridge Village Board voted on Oct. 22 to reinstate the village clerk as a full-time position and confirmed the mayor’s role will also remain full-time, reflecting recent practices. Under the new measures, the annual salary for the mayor will stay at $85,000, with an additional $12,000 for serving as liquor commissioner. According to…

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Oak Lawn trustee lauds local police for vandal arrest

By Joe Boyle / October 26, 2024 /

An Oak Lawn trustee reminded residents that the police are here to serve and protect and apprehend offenders. Trustee Ralph Soch (6th) made the point during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning, referring to a recent arrest of a suspect linked to a series of vandalized vehicles that occurred in July. “The police…

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Hickory Hills adds liquor license for PGN Fun Village

By Nuha Abdessalam / October 26, 2024 / Comments Off on Hickory Hills adds liquor license for PGN Fun Village

Hickory Hills has approved a new liquor license for PGN Fun Village to allow drinking at the establishment, which is preparing to upgrade the facility on 95th Street. The new Class CS license was approved at the Oct. 10 city council meeting. “The new license allows on-premises consumption only, with shorter hours than a regular…

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Evergreen Park honors first responders for acts of valor

By Joe Boyle / October 26, 2024 / Comments Off on Evergreen Park honors first responders for acts of valor

Members of the Evergreen Park police and fire departments were recognized Monday night for acts of valor that went beyond the call of duty during the past month. Several members of the police department were honored for Outstanding Performance of Duty on Oct. 2. Evergreen Park police units responded to a report of someone driving…

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Worth Fall Fest ushers in the season

By Kelly White / October 11, 2024 / Comments Off on Worth Fall Fest ushers in the season

Fall is in the air. The Worth Park District welcomed the season with its annual Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Gale Moore Park, 109th Street and Nordica Avenue, Worth. “Getting everyone out in the community to enjoy what we offer makes me really happy,” said Stephanie Analitis, superintendent of recreation for the Worth…

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Evergreen Park approves disaster prevention plan

By Joe Boyle / October 10, 2024 / Comments Off on Evergreen Park approves disaster prevention plan

The threat that hazards and disasters pose to residents and property has been recognized by Evergreen Park officials. A resolution was approved by a 6-0 margin during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night, acknowledging the importance of reducing or eliminating vulnerability to disasters. The U.S. Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act on Oct.…

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Rain barrels available for Oak Lawn residents

By Joe Boyle / October 9, 2024 / Comments Off on Rain barrels available for Oak Lawn residents

An Oak Lawn trustee said residents can purchase rain barrels through a program sponsored by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd) attended a recent Southwest Conference of Mayors meeting where it was mentioned that rain barrels are available to residents. Rain barrels are available through the MWRD for $43.…

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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.…

All-tournament selection Will Johnson of Sandburg drives in for a layup against Crete Monee in the title game of the Spartan-Ram Classic on Nov. 29 at Oak Lawn. Photo by Vince Olejniczak

Will Johnson helps Sandburg finish second at Spartan-Ram Classic

Will Johnson likes where he is, but knows he has to go farther. Johnson earned a spot on the all-tourney team as Sandburg finished runner-up in the Spartan-Ram Classic with a 53-41 loss to Crete-Monee in the title game on Nov. 29 at Oak Lawn. “I shot the ball well,” said Johnson, a 6-2 junior…

All-tourney selection Charles Barnes helped De La Salle finish third in the De La Salle/St. Ignatius Windy City Turkey Classic. Photo by Mike Walsh

Charles Barnes’ leadership a key for young De La Salle

As one of the veterans on a young De La Salle boys team, Charles Barnes knows he must be a leader. That’s a role the 6-foot-5 junior forward embraces wholeheartedly. Barnes’ leadership skills were on full display in Saturday’s third-place game of the De La Salle/St. Ignatius Windy City Turkey Classic at De La Salle.…

Mount Carmel was named the No. 1 football program in the IHSA over the 50 years the sport has had a state series. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Mount Carmel named top football program in IHSA since 1974

Mount Carmel’s football team edged out Joliet Catholic for the No. 1 spot in the Illinois High School Association’s top 50 teams in the first 50 years the organization sponsored state championships in the sport. Before the poll was released, the Caravan and Joliet Catholic had each won 15 state championships. After the poll was…

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…