Local News
13,000 Easter eggs make for ‘amazing’ hunt in Lyons
By Steve Metsch Having grown up in Lyons, Plainfield resident Jennifer Radosevich Mallen knew where to visit for a good Easter egg hunt. “My parents still live here,” she said. “My grandpa was the mayor of this town for years, William G. Smith. That’s why we always come back to this one because of what……
Crazy Bingo in Summit makes for a fun day
By Carol McGowan Nearly 100 players and vendors got together at Summit Park on April 6 for a few hours of fun with Crazy Bingo. The event was in partnership with state Senator Steven Landek’s office, and took place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It was free to play for Summit residents 50 and……
College report: Former Riverside-Brookfield star homers in four consecutive at-bats
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer Former Riverside-Brookfield baseball standout Ryan Cermak is a leadoff hitter who is belting the ball like a cleanup hitter. The Illinois State University centerfielder hit three straight homers — including grand slams in consecutive at-bats— and broke a school record with 10 RBIs in a 15-7 victory over Western Illinois……
Pro Soccer Report: Fire II gets a point, but still no goals after three games
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The new Chicago Fire II team is winless and scoreless through three games, but coach Ludovic Taillandier knows wins and losses are not the team’s main focus. The Fire II, which tied Rochester 0-0 April 10 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, is a mix of youth and Chicago Fire players……
Marist sees better days ahead after rough start to season
By Steve Millar Correspondent It’s been a tough start for Marist against a loaded schedule. But after the RedHawks fought back again and again in a 3-2 loss to 2021 Class 2A state runner-up Joliet Catholic on April 6 night at Joliet Memorial Stadium, there were plenty of reasons to think things are going to……
Area Sports Roundup: Chicago Christian softball team looking to get their groove back
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Kevin Pittman said he’ll take some of the blame. The Chicago Christian softball and boys basketball coach has an annual tradition. After the rigors of the basketball season, he uses spring break to recharge. “When they asked me to take the softball job, I said I would do it for……
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……
Neighbors
Illinois News
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……
Lawmakers move to pause – then further regulate – carbon dioxide pipeline development
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – After state regulators rebuffed several proposed carbon transport projects over the past year, lawmakers have moved to formally ban new projects until the federal government sets forth new safety rules. The technology is used to take carbon dioxide – a powerful greenhouse gas – and move……
Senate Democrats send $53.1B spending plan to House
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Two days after the General Assembly was scheduled to adjourn its spring session, Democrats in the Illinois Senate advanced a $53.1 billion budget to the House Sunday night, where leaders expect it to pass without changes. The fiscal year 2025 spending plan, which came together over a stretch……