Archer Avenue goes green for a day
Local News
Chicago Ridge Library celebrates Ramadan with food drive
By Kelly White Located in a culturally diverse community, the Chicago Ridge Public Library is proud to serve its patrons of all ethnicities and backgrounds. To support the library values of “all are recognized,” the youth services department has created a large library-wide program that reflects the local community’s diversity. For the first time, staff……
Parishioners, volunteers collect supplies for Ukrainian refugees
By Joe Boyle The Rev. Benedykt Pazdan did not hesitate to act after Russia invaded Ukraine. “Yes, I thought about it right away,” said Pazdan, who is the pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Evergreen Park. “We had to open up our hearts and minds. This is wonderful. The people who are here wanted to……
Haircuts for a Cause
By Kelly White Known as being a kind, caring and compassionate man, David Steadman has always dedicated his life towards helping others. Steadman, 61, who grew up the oldest of four children, took his role very seriously, according to his sister, Laurie Asztalos. “I cannot say enough good things about David,” Asztalos, of St. John,……
Southwest Symphony presents an Afternoon of Lerner and Loew on Sunday
The Southwest Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of David L. Crane, will present “An Afternoon of Lerner and Loewe” on Sunday, April 10, at 4 p.m. at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Auditorium, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights. Favorite selections will be played from “Camelot,” “Gigi,” “Brigadoon,” “Paint Your Wagon,” and “My Fair Lady.” The……
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.……
Neighbors
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……
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……