Knights of Columbus officers ready to serve
Elected last month as officers of the Two Holy Martyrs Parish Knights of Columbus council are Darrin Bourette Deputy Grand Knight; Mike West, Treasurer; Jerry Hughes, Grand Knight; and Joe Donato, Financial Secretary. Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., and a group of parishioners. Their intention was to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Today, the Knights of Columbus is one of the world’s leading international charitable organizations, with 2 million members in more than 16,000 local councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 47 million service hours and $150 million for causes in their communities. Catholic men interested in membership are encouraged to visit kofc.org/join. – Supplied photo
Local News
Area Sports Roundup: Runners sign letters, SXU heads to volleyball nationals
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Back in the early 1970s, Richards had an outstanding distance runner, Ray Giff, who went on to run at Indiana University. History has repeated itself. Richards cross country and track standout Owen Forberg put forth an all-state effort at the cross country state finals on Oct. 5, and…
Mother McAuley tops Benet for 16th state title
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Playing with the motivation of losing last season’s Class 4A state title match, Mother McAuley was on a mission to bring home the championship this year. Mission accomplished. The Mighty Macs defeated Benet, 25-22, 17-25, 25-14, for the 4A state crown on Nov. 12 at Redbird Arena in Normal.…
St. Francis tops Nazareth in three sets for Class 3A title
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Kitty Sandt smiled through the disappointment. There was no reason to dwell on it. The Nazareth senior setter/right side hitter had just ended her high school volleyball career in a familiar place: Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State. In three of Sandt’s four high school years, she…
Pigskin Wrap: SXU defense can’t rest in playoff opener v. high-scoring Marian
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Saint Xavier’s defense will be put to the test in the first round of the NAIA Football Championship Series. The Cougars (9-2) drew the 11th seed in the 16-team tournament that will decide the national champion. They will visit seventh-seeded Marian (Indiana) (8-1) at 12:05 p.m. Saturday at…
Pizzeria promises ‘all new kitchen’
Spread the loveVilla Rosa retools after Health Dept. shutdown By Tim Hadac An Archer Avenue pizzeria is promising a complete renovation in the wake of its shutdown by the Chicago Department of Public Health six weeks ago. “We are renovating the entire restaurant with all new and innovative, state-of-the-art equipment to be able to provide…
‘Consistent, unwavering dedication to the community’
Spread the loveGRCL President Richard Techman’s life to be celebrated From staff reports Richard J. Techman was a lifelong Garfield Ridge resident and longtime president of the Garfield Ridge Civic League. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at home on Saturday, Oct. 15. He was 65 years old. “As a news reporter, I had contact with…
Police exam coming up next month
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Chicago Police Department will host in-person police officer entry exams at all City Colleges of Chicago locations from Dec. 1-3. Those between the ages of 21 and 39 are eligible to take the exam and begin the process of becoming a CPD officer. “Anyone who is passionate about serving…
Johnny Rose is a singer with a dream
Spread the loveClearing man trying to hit the big time By Kelly White John Rosenthal is a man who wears more than one hat. By day, he is a senior account manager at Associated Advertisers Inc. By night, he is an usher at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. But beyond that, he’s Johnny Rose, a…
Andy’s Frozen Custard coming to Archer, Tabares says
Spread the lovePlans to set up shop in vacant bank building By Tim Hadac An Andy’s Frozen Custard shop may be coming to Garfield Ridge within a year, 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares said this month. If all goes according to plan, the new Andy’s will be located in the vacant bank building at 6366…
Neighbors
Stateville may close as early as September under Pritzker’s prison plan
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Stateville Correctional Center could close as early as September under a plan laid out by Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration on Friday. Top officials with the Illinois Department of Corrections testified in front of a key panel of state lawmakers. The 12 members on the General Assembly’s…
Labor-backed bill banning ‘captive audience’ meetings awaits House action
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With two weeks left before the General Assembly’s spring session is set to adjourn, negotiations continue on a labor union-backed initiative that would allow Illinoisans to skip religious and political work meetings without reprimand. Dubbed the “Worker Freedom of Speech Act,” Senate Bill 3649 advanced out…
House gives OK to new state agency focused on early childhood programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House gave final passage Thursday to a bill establishing a new cabinet-level state agency whose mission will be to provide a kind of one-stop shop for services focusing on early childhood development and education. By the time it’s fully operational in 2026, the new…
ANALYSIS: ‘Significant enough’ opposition to Pritzker’s revenue plan leads to call for cuts
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com When Gov. JB Pritzker proposed his budget for the upcoming fiscal year in February, he sought authority from lawmakers to raise more than $1 billion in revenue through various changes to the state tax code. Among other things, he sought to raise $526 million through extending an expiring…
State officials offer last goodbye to former Thompson Center as renovations begin
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State officials kicked off the private renovation of the building which once served as the state government’s Chicago headquarters. The James R. Thompson Center, as it was known under state ownership, was sold in 2022 to a development firm that is renovating the building for its…
Public officials seek greater oversight of prescription drug middlemen
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers – an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs – multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. Often referred to as pharmaceutical “middlemen,” PBMs act as third-party intermediaries…
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for community-based after-school programs say as many as 40,000 youths statewide could lose access to tutoring services, recreation and other extracurricular activities this summer unless Illinois lawmakers approve an infusion of funds to keep them going. “The time is now for legislators to act to…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and…
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…