Bianca St. Georges of the Chicago Red Stars tries to advance the ball against Portland on Saturday. Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer, USA Today Sports
Area Sports Roundup: Top pick Ava Cook scores Red Stars’ lone goal in winless trip to Portland
Local News
Pandemic relief funds available for business, Gonzalez says
From staff reports State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D-21st) is calling attention to a new round of Back to Business grants available to local businesses dealing with financial hardship related to the pandemic. “For years now, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for small business owners throughout Illinois, but they have largely persevered despite……
Acting no more, Jennings named Bridgeview Fire Chief
By Steve Metsch After a year on the job, John Jennings can remove “acting” from his title. Jennings, 53, was officially named fire chief by the Bridgeview Village Board at its Feb. 16 meeting. The vote was unanimous. “I’m very proud to be the chief,” Jennings, 53, said. “I work with a bunch of great……
Cardz for Kidz at Shepard High School
By Kelly White Yoga enhances connections among the mind, body and spirit. Shepard High School’s yoga students infused these spiritual teachings with their daily lives and passed along messages of peace, love and care to others. These students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, at the high school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, participated in……
10th La Grange Restaurant Week kicks off Friday
By Steve Metsch For the 10th straight year, folks are invited to visit old favorites and try unfamiliar places during the La Grange Restaurant Week. “It’s a healthy way of building the community, getting people to try new things,” said Zach Molokie, culinary director for Cloud 9 Hospitality, which owns Barrel House Social. “I think……
Orland Park park projects meet with some public resistance
By Jeff Vorva With the exception of a few engineering decisions that have to be finalized, some of Orland Parks parks are ready for some major face-lifts. But not everyone is happy with the proposed plans. The two parks receiving the most attention in the coming years will be Schussler Park and Centennial Park West.……
Obituaries Feb. 24, 2022
PHYLLIS BANUELOS Phyllis Banuelos, 77, of Lyons, passed away February 11. She was the beloved wife of Jose Banuelos; dear sister of Margaret. Phyllis was a longtime employee of the Village of Brookfield Police Department. All arrangements are private. Condolences may be sent to Phyllis’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com. DOLORES A.……
Teaching students how to think, not what to think
By Michael J. Bakalis Ph.D As one who earned a Ph.D in American history and has taught and written about this subject for many years, I like to think that perhaps I bring some credibility to a current topic engaging our nation. The discussion of Critical Race Theory and the New York Times “1619” project……
L-W Central tops Sandburg in regional title game
By Randy Whalen Correspondent Sandburg won 20 games for the first time in in six years, and entered the postseason seeking to add to its list of accomplishments by winning a regional championship on its home court. But Lincoln-Way Central made more plays in key situations and fought to a 55-47 double-overtime victory in the……
New Red Stars coach wants to bring ‘joy and positivity’
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer The Chicago Red Stars have found their new coach. The team announced February 18 that Chris Petrucelli will replace Rory Dames, who resigned a day after the 2021 NWSL championship game. Dames has since been the subject of national stories regarding his alleged abuse of players both on the Red……
Neighbors
This Coastal State’s Approach to Flooding May Be a Model for Illinois Communities
by Laura Stewart, Illinois Answers Project This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. Editor’s note: This is the second story examining government home buyouts. Read part one, which focuses on Illinois’ program, here. WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, N.J. – In an area once dotted with single family homes, a one-mile gravel path weaves……
Ban on ‘captive audience’ meetings, AI regulations among 466 bills to pass this session
By ALEX ABBEDUTO, COLE LONGCOR, & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com A bill banning what unions refer to as employer-sponsored “captive audience” meetings about religion and politics has cleared both chambers of the General Assembly. It was one of 466 measures to do so during the Illinois legislature’s recently concluded spring session, including measures……
Potawatomi land transfer advances in Illinois House
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would help the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation expand their newly established reservation in DeKalb County advanced out of a state House committee Tuesday, despite concerns about the tribe’s long-term plans for the property. House Bill 4718 would authorize the state to hand over……
Illinois could be 19th state to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com After years of negotiations and continued opposition from service providers, Illinois appears poised to prohibit employers from using a federal exemption that allows them to pay individuals with disabilities less than the minimum wage. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established minimum wage law, but created……
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……
Members of House speaker’s staff sue over ongoing unionization conflict
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Members of a would-be union representing staffers in House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office filed suit against their boss on Friday, asking a Cook County judge to force recognition of the union. The Illinois Legislative Staff Association, which formed in the fall of 2022, claims Welch’s……
Regulators slash Chicago gas utility’s rate request, setting up likely legal battle
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday once again reduced a request to increase customer rates from Chicago natural gas utility Peoples Gas. In November, the ICC paused all spending related to Peoples Gas’ controversial “safety modernization program” for replacing aging infrastructure and reduced its $404 million……
Ban on ‘captive audience’ meetings, AI regulations among 466 bills to pass this session
By ALEX ABBEDUTO, COLE LONGCOR, & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com A bill banning what unions refer to as employer-sponsored “captive audience” meetings about religion and politics has cleared both chambers of the General Assembly. It was one of 466 measures to do so during the Illinois legislature’s recently concluded spring session, including measures……
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……