Firefighters arrive at a Justice house fire on February 10. (Photo courtesy of Roberts Park Fire Protection District)
2 hurt in Justice house fire
Local News
Olympian – and now author – Kendall Coyne Schofield visits Palos Heights Library
By Kelly White Always in pursuit of her dreams, Kendall Coyne Schofield wants to inspire today’s youth to do the same. “I want young girls to be able to have the same dreams as young boys in the world of professional hockey,” Coyne said. With her book, “As Fast As Her: Dream Big, Break Barriers,……
Lyons police arrest brothers who buried mom, sister in back yard
By Bob Bong The older of two brothers who admitted they buried their mother and sister in the back yard of their home in Lyons was charged Thursday with concealing a death. Michael Lelko, 47, was charged with two counts of concealment of a death, which is a felony. Police said it was the first……
Palos Heights renews garbage contract after debate
By Jeff Vorva Things got a little chippy Tuesday night when it came to renewing garbage and chipper services in Palos Heights. After some debate, the Palos Heights City Council voted 5-3 to renew a five-year contract with Crestwood-based Republic Services. Aldermen Michael McGrogan, Jerry McGovern and Jack Clifford voted “no.” The current five-year deal……
‘Put me back in, Coach’ – McCarthy eager to return to law enforcement
By Steve Metsch Garry McCarthy compared the blockbuster news of his return to policing to that of an athlete itching to get back on the field. “Put me back in, Coach,” the former college athlete and Chicago Police Superintendent said Thursday morning. McCarthy, 62, is six years removed from working in law enforcement. He spoke……
Chicago’s former top cop McCarthy hired to lead Willow Springs police
By Steve Metsch Garry McCarthy, former superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, has been appointed interim police chief in Willow Springs. A news conference is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at the village hall to announce the move. McCarthy replaces James Ritz, who submitted his resignation as police chief to Village Administrator Ryan Grace on……
Accomplishments top Forest View inaugural State of the Village presentation
By Carol McGowan A crowd of about 75 people were on hand last week for the inaugural State of the Village message from Forest View officials. Village Trustee Midalia Nevarez welcomed the crowd on March 31 to the Art Treckler Room, and introduced the elected officials and department heads who were going to give presentations.……
Rev. and Dr. Parker travel to Washington for historic signing of anti-lynching bill
By Carol McGowan President Joe Biden last week signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law, making lynching a federal hate crime. This comes after Congress failed to pass anti-lynching legislation at least 240 times. March 29 was a chilly day in the White House Rose Garden for the signing, but that didn’t stop Summit’s……
Area college report: Ooms brothers lower the boom, propel Saint Xavier to national tourney
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer Good things happen when the Ooms brothers go boom. In this case, it means another trip to the NAIA National Tournament The siblings from Minooka High School combined for 18 kills on Saturday to lead the Saint Xavier men’s volleyball team to a 25-23, 25-18, 27-25 victory over Judson to……
Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars lose star defender Davidson for season
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer The Chicago Red Stars biggest loss of the exhibition season didn’t come during a game. It came during training. Defender Tierna Davidson will miss the season after tearing an ACL while practicing for the team’s second Challenge Cup game. Davidson is also a U.S. Women’s National Team member and will……
Area Sports Roundup: Lions grow together while winning Argo Invitational
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer A few last-minute changes in the schedule forced Lyons to head into the Argo Invitational with just two matches under its belt this season. While some of the other teams in the tournament had played more matches, the Lions adapted and won the 12-team tournament with a 5-0 record, including……
Neighbors
Would-be union of legislative staffers accuse Welch of undermining organizing effort
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Seven months after Democratic Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch advanced a measure that would allow legislative staff to unionize, members of his own staff on Tuesday blasted the speaker for allowing the bill to languish. The legislation has not seen any action since its passage……
Lawmakers OK bill to require ‘faithful’ electors in 2024, loosen campaign finance rules
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Illinois appears likely to join most of the rest of the country in requiring that the state’s Electoral College votes go to the winner of the state’s popular election. The measure is part of a broad package of election-related legislation……
Once again working through the night, lawmakers finalize $53.1 billion budget
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com After a near-derailment and an all-nighter to wrap up the General Assembly’s spring session, supermajority Democrats in the Illinois House gave final legislative approval to the state budget as the sun rose Wednesday morning. Despite holding 78 seats in the chamber, it took Democrats three tries to reach……
A security camera caught an employee beating a patient. It took 11 days for anyone to take action.
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Capitol News Illinois. Cameras in the common areas of Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center were supposed to make the troubled southern Illinois facility safer for the approximately 200 people with developmental disabilities who live there. But……
Lawmakers move to pause – then further regulate – carbon dioxide pipeline development
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – After state regulators rebuffed several proposed carbon transport projects over the past year, lawmakers have moved to formally ban new projects until the federal government sets forth new safety rules. The technology is used to take carbon dioxide – a powerful greenhouse gas – and move……
Senate Democrats send $53.1B spending plan to House
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Two days after the General Assembly was scheduled to adjourn its spring session, Democrats in the Illinois Senate advanced a $53.1 billion budget to the House Sunday night, where leaders expect it to pass without changes. The fiscal year 2025 spending plan, which came together over a stretch……
Prairie Band Potawatomi land deal clears Senate, will head back to House
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is a step closer to acquiring a 1,500-acre state park in DeKalb County, much of which was once part of a reservation that was illegally seized from the tribe in the mid-19 th century. As the Senate worked through its last……
Budget negotiations will extend into next week as House leaves Springfield
By JERRY NOWICKI & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Democrats in the General Assembly will go at least three more days past their self-imposed adjournment deadline after failing to pass a budget bill Saturday, although the spending and revenue framework were made public for the first time. “The House and Senate are……
Maternal health, abortion protection measures advance as session nears end
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com In the final days of their spring legislative session, Democrats in the General Assembly advanced measures aimed at expanding and protecting aspects of maternal and women’s health care. If signed into law, the measures would expand insurance coverage of pregnancy and postpartum services, maintain abortion as a viable……
Health insurance changes targeting ‘utilization management,’ more will head to governor
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A package of health insurance reform measures that Gov. JB Pritzker called for at the beginning of the legislative session will soon be headed to his desk for his signature. The Illinois House gave final approval Saturday to a pair of bills that limit the ability……