Capitol Cast: A discussion on redistricting controversies

Capitol Cast: A discussion on redistricting controversies

The Better Government Association’s Bryan Zarou and University of Illinois political science professor Brian Gaines talk with Peter Hancock about the redistricting process in Illinois and the upcoming oral arguments in three federal lawsuits challenging the new legislative maps.

See congressional maps here:www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer…3130960460293&z=6

See IL House maps here:www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer…8881118842843&z=5

See IL Senate maps here:www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/viewer…4259714843751&z=6

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Palos Height Mayor Bob Straz gave his State of the City address on Tuesday at the Palos Heights Recreation Center. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Straz looking forward to bringing Pete’s and Pride to Palos Heights

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Pete’s and Pride. In Palos Heights’ immediate future, good things will come in “P’s.” Mayor Bob Straz gave his State of the City presentation Tuesday in the Orchard Room of the Recreation Center in an event hosted by the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce, and he was full of good…

Shepard High School was proud to host Respect Week at the school during the week of March 7-11 at the school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights. (Supplied photos)

Shepard rallies for Respect Week

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Spread the loveBy Kelly White Each year, schools across Illinois celebrate Respect Week. This campaign focuses on inclusion for people with disabilities, celebrating Respect for All – no matter the disability, gender, or race. Shepard High School students proudly took part in the week-long celebration that derived from the Spread the Word Campaign. “Plunging is…

Two of the plungers at Shepard High School's Polar Plunge on March 10. (Photos by Kelly White)

Shepard students take Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

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Spread the loveBy Kelly White After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shepard High School students once again took the plunge last week. The Polar Plunge, that is, which is a huge fundraising effort benefiting Special Olympics and the athletes. Participants take in pledges from family, friends and more before taking the literal…

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Worth narrowly approves COVID testing and medical services site

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Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle With COVID-19 positivity rates declining in Illinois, some members of the Worth Village Board wondered why a business emphasizing testing is necessary? Trustees Rich Dziedzic and Brad Urban brought the issue up during the Worth Village Board meeting Tuesday night, questioning if Free COVID Drive Thru Testing Inc. should be operating with…

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Get the scoop on college life at Lyons Township High School

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Spread the loveFrom staff reports Lyons Township High School students will have an opportunity to get a glimpse of college life at the annual College Fair Wednesday, April 6, from 6:30-8  p.m., at the North Campus Fieldhouse/Vaughan Gym, 100 S. Brainard Ave., LaGrange. State schools, private colleges, community colleges, special interest schools, and the armed…

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Justice officials express support for Ukraine

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Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The regular meeting of the Justice Village Board on February 28 started with Mayor Kris Wasowicz expressing his support for the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression. “I hope all people of good will do the same,” he said. “We should express our condemnation to the unjust attack…

Lyons Village Trustee Paul Marchiori (right) voiced concerns about drivers’ safety on Ogden Avenue near a car wash that the board approved. Trustee James Veselsky is to the left. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Buddy Bear Car Wash approved for Lyons

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Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch If all goes as planned, in early 2023 you will be able to visit the brand-new Buddy Bear Car Wash on Ogden Avenue in Lyons. The village board on March 15 voted 6-0 in favor of a unanimous zoning board of appeals recommendation that a special-use permit be approved for…

Park Commissioner Tom Bosworth (from left), Commissioner Tabatha Sutera, Commissioner Carrie Bernardoni, Commissioner Larry Noyes, Executive Director Jennifer Bonbrake, Commissioner Mark Leahy break ground last week on improvements to Commissioners Park in Justice. (Supplied photo)

Commissioners Park in Justice to get face-lift

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Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Justice Park District broke ground last week on a new playground and re-vamp of Commissioners Park. For the next four to six weeks, park workers will be installing new playground equipment to replace outdated equipment that’s been there for at least 15 years. The new and improved playground will…

New Indian Head Park Police Chief Michael Kurinec. (Supplied photo)

Kurinec takes reins as Indian Head Park police chief

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Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Michael Kurinec is the new Chief of Police in Indian Head Park. He recently moved into the position when Steven Stelter accepted the Chief of Police Position in Forest View. Kurinec isn’t new to the village as he was the first officer hired by the newly formed Indian Head Park…

Richards’ Christian Rosales delivers a pitch in a huge come-from-behind victory over Stagg on March 16. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Batter Up: Richards and Stagg show resilience in baseball’s opening week

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer If the infancy of the high school baseball season has proved anything, it’s that Stagg and Richards are two resilient teams. Just when they look down and out … Let’s look at Richards first. The Bulldogs opened the season on March 14 with a 4-0, five-inning road loss…

Neighbors

Peggy Zabicki

Help is available for crime victims

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Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 . The Chicago Police Department will present a program called Crime Victim Services on Wednesday, July 10 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St. The police will provide support…

Mary Stanek

Neighbors—and dogs—pleased with new trees

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Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 517-7796 . Now that it is mid-July, I wonder when the pumpkin lattes will start appearing? My side of the West Elsdon neighborhood got a little greener on June 27th. Trees were planted along 58th…

Violinist, Mariah Saban Rice, of Palos Park, has been selected to perform at the Ravinia Festival on Wednesday, July 10. (Supplied photo)

Palos Park teen violinist invited to perform at Ravinia Festival

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Spread the loveBy Kelly White A Palos Park teenager who is a member of the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra has been invited to perform at next week’s prestigious Ravinia Festival. Violinist, Mariah Saban Rice, 13, of Palos Park, is one of three south suburban musicians invited to attend and perform at the National Seminario Ravinia…

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Palos Park police charge Burbank man for false fire alarms

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Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Burbank man was charged Monday with six counts of felony disorderly conduct for his role in allegedly setting off false fire alarms dating back to March. Palos Park police said they initiated an investigation on March 18 after they were contacted by the Palos Fire Protection District regarding numerous…

The Chicago Red Stars' Mallory Swanson was selected for her second Olympics. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Red Stars’ Swanson, Naeher headed to Paris seeking gold

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Two Chicago Red Stars standouts are going to Paris to represent the U.S. in the Summer Olympics. Goalie Alyssa Naeher and forward Mallory Swanson have been named to the United States Women’s National Team. Naeher was on U.S. Olympic teams that played in Rio de Janeiro and 2016 and…

Stagg alum Laurie Markatos is an assistant coach with the Greek national softball team.

Laurie Markatos, Dylan Jacobs looking toward 2028 Summer Games

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Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Laurie Markatos predicted there would be a “flood of tears” her first day on the job. Markatos, The Regional News and The Reporter’s Softball Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997 when she played for Stagg, is an assistant coach of the Greek National Softball Team, also known…

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Township of Lyons donates $10,000 to help food pantries

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Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The Township of Lyons board was in a giving mood at its most recent meeting. The board approved sponsorships and donations totaling $12,250. The largest donation was $10,000. It went to the Greater Chicago Food Depository which runs 12 monthly mobile food pantries in the township each year. Supervisor Christopher…

Tina Grotzke chats with Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott after he presented her a certificate of appreciation for her 20 years on the zoning board. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Countryside zoning commissioner honored for 20 years on board

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Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch For the past 20 years, Tina Grotzke has had a say-so in every development that’s come to Countryside. Grotzke was appointed to another term on the city’s the plan commission zoning board of appeals during the city council’s meeting on June 12. Mayor Sean McDermott noted Grotzke’s two decades of…

Dr. Blair Nuccio

Nuccio bids farewell to Indian Springs SD 109

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Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan After 25 years of serving the area, 22 of those at Indian Springs School District 109, Dr. Blair Nuccio is set to retire. Dr. Nuccio was the assistant superintendent at District 109 before becoming superintendent in July of 2017. Prior to that, he spent three years as the superintendent at…

Dario Lemus, Jr., of Lyons, demonstrates the moves that helped him become an Illinois Junior Olympic boxing champ. (Photos by Steve Metsch)

A real knockout

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Spread the loveLyons boy, 10, heads to boxing nationals By Steve Metsch Dario Lemus Jr., has yet to knock out an opponent in the boxing ring. Give him time. After all, the 10-year-old Lyons boy has only been boxing for 18 months. “I’ve dropped two kids, but not like a knockout,” Dario said with a…