big idot logo

Harlem Avenue resurfacing begins May 9 

By Bob Bong

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that a resurfacing of Harlem Avenue, from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, in Forest View, to Hanover Street, in Summit and Chicago, will require intermittent overnight lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, May 9.

The $1.3 million project, which also consists of constructing new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and replacing deteriorated curbs, is expected to be completed in late July.

Access to residences and businesses within the work zone will be maintained throughout construction.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Local News

Stephan Alheim pauses during his 19,431-foot climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. (Supplied photo)

Lyons man ‘accomplished something’ with Kilimanjaro climb

By Steve Metsch Stephan Alheim of Lyons learned a lot about himself while making the 19,341-foot climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He learned preparation is important, especially when it comes to breathing properly. He also learned to have faith in the climbing guides. And he learned to always bring an extra…

Lyons Trustee Dan Hilker said the high standards of the public works department will continue as the village seeks a new director. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Lyons to raise water rate as Chicago charges more

By Steve Metsch With its hand forced by Chicago, the Lyons Village Board has unanimously approved an increase in the water rate. The new rates will take effect March 1. Lyons has no choice but to raise the rate since Chicago raised the rate it charges water suppliers that sell water to the village, Mayor…

Firefighters arrive at a Justice house fire on February 10. (Photo courtesy of Roberts Park Fire Protection District)

2 hurt in Justice house fire

By Carol McGowan  Two adults were taken to the hospital in good condition, with possible smoke inhalation, after a house fire at 8217 S. 85th Court in Justice last Thursday. The Roberts Park Fire Protection District was called to the fire just before 12:30 in the afternoon on February 10. Firefighters arrived on the scene…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Mt. Carmel tops Rice in big Blue battle

By Steve Millar  Correspondent On a night when Mount Carmel honored one of its all-time best point guards — retiring the jersey of former Caravan and Illinois star Tracy Abrams at halftime — two of the Chicago Catholic League’s current top point guards staged an epic duel. Brother Rice junior Ahmed Henderson scored 31 points.…

Freestyle wrestling icon vector. Female. Pictogram women sport. Logo. Match girls. Symbolic image is one of a series. Greco-Roman. Isolated.

Girl wrestlers make history as first IHSA state qualifiers

By Steve Millar  Correspondent For Morton senior Karla Topete, Feb. 12 was a special day for a greater reason than just her winning a sectional wrestling championship. Topete and her teammates competed at the Andrew Sectional, one of four sectionals that marked the start of the IHSA’s first individual girls wrestling state series. For the…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

High School Hockey: St. Rita drops two of three to Carmel, bows out of Kennedy Cup

By Steve Millar  Correspondent St. Rita came out angry for Game 2 of its Kennedy Cup playoff quarterfinal series with Carmel. Two days earlier, the fifth-seeded Mustangs were run off the ice by the fourth-seeded Corsairs in a 5-0 loss in which they gave up three first-period goals and were never really in the game.…

Stagg senior Gail Korbitz said the Chargers’ 22-8 regular season was full of fun. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Stagg girls hoops enjoying dream season

By Jeff Vorva Staff writer The night before a signature victory over Lincoln-Way Central, Stagg senior guard Laila Bakarat had sweet dreams. “I dreamt about it the night before it happened,” she said. “I literally dreamt about winning. I woke up and said, ‘I hope this is reality.’’’ The reality was that she scored 32…

Stagg graduate Tom Kazanecki, right, is guarded by St. Xavier University’s Joshua Evans during a recent game. Kazanecki changed his mind on playing an extra season for St. Ambrose after he was injured in a practice. Photo by Jeff Vorva

College Report: Former Stagg standout Kazanecki gives hoops one more year

By Jeff Vorva Staff writer The idea was for Tom Kazanecki to finish his basketball career at St. Ambrose in 2021. The former Stagg hoops standout was even toying with the idea of starting a military career, even though he had an extra year of athletics eligibility remaining, thanks to seasons getting snipped because of…

Marist is sending 11 wrestlers to the IHSA state meet Thursday. Photo by Marist High School

Area Sports Roundup: Marist leads way with 11 wrestlers heading to state

By Jeff Vorva Staff writer An army of area wrestlers is headed to the state tournament, with 49 set to hit the mat in Champaign. During sectional action on Feb. 12, area wrestlers feasted on opponents. Marist will send 11 to the tournament, which begins Thursday at State Farm Center on the University of Illinois…

ShawnTe Raines-Welch  

Campaign 2020: Civil Rights attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch to seek judgeship  

By Ray Hanania   Civil Rights attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch has announced her candidacy for one of two vacancies for judge in Cook County’s 4th Subcircuit in the June 28 primary election. Raines-Welch specializes in legal work for municipal governments, including cities, school districts, park districts and other local taxpayer-funded public bodies at an established municipal law…

Neighbors

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…