Local News
Retired Chicago cop Vasquez takes on incumbent Rep. Rashid in 21st District
By Steve Metsch A one-term state representative and a retired Chicago police officer will square off in the March 19 Democratic primary for the 21st House District. Incumbent Abdelnasser Rashid, 34, of Bridgeview, is challenged by Vidal Vasquez, 62, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community. This isn’t Vasquez’ first foray into politics. He ran an unsuccessful…
Summit man charged for shooting at January 6 insurrection
By Bob Bong A man living with his sister in Summit was arrested by FBI agents last Friday for shooting a gun during the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. John Banuelos, 39, was taken into custody Friday morning more than three years after an angry crowd descended on the…
Bridgeview, Argo-Summit, Justice Lions celebrate Super Sunday
By Carol McGowan The Bridgeview Community Center was filled with nearly 250 people on Sunday as the Bridgeview, Argo-Summit, and Justice Lions Clubs held Super Sunday. Sponsored by the Village of Bridgeview, and Bridgeview Mayor Steven M. Landek, Super Sunday brought out the biggest crowd for an enjoyable afternoon of celebration and fun. The annual…
SD122 parents demand answers on school psychologist’s status
By Nuha Abdessalam A petition demanding the firing of a school psychologist at Ridgeland School District 122 for posting Islamophobic social media messages has gathered more than 1,400 signatures. The petition on change.org is “calling for the removal of the schoo psychologist Laurie Hoke for sharing posts and comments that are explicitly racist, Islamophobic, hateful,…
Volunteers raise $18,000 at Worth FOP Polar Plunge
By Joe Boyle The temperatures were hovering near 50 degrees, but Worth Mayor Mary Werner said it was still going to be a challenge. “They took the temperature of the water and it was 46 degrees. That is still cold,” the mayor said. The eighth annual Worth Fraternal Order of Police Polar Plunge was held…
Shepard takes plunge for Special Olympics Illinois
By Kelly White Shepard High School has been diving into great things once again this academic year. The high school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, honored Special Olympics Illinois with a unique school-based Polar Plunge that took place right on campus on March 7. “This is one of my favorite days of the year.…
Gill, Dewar face off in 35th District Dem primary
By Dermot Connolly Two residents of Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood are running in the Democratic primary for the 35th District seat in the Illinois House, which stretches from the South Side of Chicago to Orland Park. Mary Gill, a lifelong district resident, was appointed last March to succeed Fran Hurley, who resigned to take a…
Abe Lincoln’s ghost haunts Worth Library, for a day
By Kelly White A ghost took over the Worth Public Library recently. Not just any ghost, but the ghost of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. “Old Abe likes to pop up at a few places, which isn’t surprising since he, himself was very psychic and intuitive,” Bob Trzeciak, local historian, said.…
Cake recipe wins Pass Health Foods vegan contest
By Kelly White One local health food store has encouraged residents to bring out the best in their culinary abilities. Pass Health Foods, 7228 W. College Dr., Palos Heights, hosted a Gluten Free Baking Contest on March 9. “This is the first time we have held this friendly competition,” Carolyn Johnson, co-owner of Pass Health…
Palos SD 118 asking voters to allow shifting of tax dollars
By Nuha Abdessalam Palos District 118 is seeking voter approval on Tuesday to move money from one fund to another to pay for unfunded state mandates. Supt. Anthony M. Scarsella addressed citizens and Palos Heights aldermen during the city council meeting on March 5 and explained what the district wants to do. He said unfunded…
Spoto takes title as Orland Township’s Senior Idol
By Kelly White Beautiful voices rang out through the Orland community this past week. Held on March 7, Orland Township’s Senior American Idol was an annual event that brings together talented seniors to showcase their musical abilities. Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees invited seniors out for exciting evening filled with…
Palos Park wants to keep grocery tax
By Jeff Vorva Palos Park officials want to keep their grocery tax. Recently, Gov. JB Pritzker said he was planning on getting rid of the state’s 1% grocery tax. The axing of tax, which goes to municipalities, would allow shoppers to save a small amount of money – a dollar for every $100 spent. But…
Shepard, O’Hara and Friends collect purses
Shepard High School staff members joined graduate Catherine O’Hara this month in collecting purses to donate to victims of domestic violence. Shepard staff members donated more than 100 purses to the campaign, an annual effort at O’Hara and Friends salon at 70th Avenue and 127th Street in Palos Heights. The purses, all in prime condition,…
Holocaust exhibit brings history to Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School
By Kelly White Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School brought history to life. A Holocaust exhibit was brought to the library at the school, 5345 W. 99th St., Oak Lawn, thanks to a teaching trunk provided by the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Educational Center. ¨I am so thankful I had the opportunity to see these amazing, sad,…
Worth puts moratorium on learning centers in business districts
By Joe Boyle The Worth Village Board has implemented a moratorium on additional learning centers from operating in the village’s business districts. The board is voicing concerns originally brought up by the Real Estate Development Board (REBD) during their meeting regarding the recent proliferation of learning centers for students ranging in age from preschool to…
Ryan and Khalil looking for Democratic nod for Burke’s former seat
By Jeff Vorva Kelly Burke would love to hand the ball off to fellow Evergreen Park resident Rick Ryan for her 36th District state representative seat. Palos Hills’ Sonia Khalil would love to intercept those plans. Ryan and Khalil are battling it out for the spot that Burke held since 2011. They are on the…
Even the dogs will ‘go green’
. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound (708)-496-0265 . The Chicago Working Families’ Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade always draws its share of colorful characters. Oh sure, there’s the usual assortment of parade units you’d expect: marching bands, as well as groups representing local schools, churches, Scout troops, veterans organizations, neighborhood watches,…
Florida group acquires Chicago Ridge Mall
By Bob Bong Chicago Ridge Mall opened in 1981 on the former site of the Starlite Drive-In Theater, which had closed in 1979 after a three-decade run. It was expanded in 1986. It has had several owners over the years including the Lenhdorff Group, which bought the mall in 1986 and turned around and sold…
Woman says pro-Palestinian posts cost her spin cycle job
By Nuha Abdessalam A Palos Hills native says she was let go from a part-time second job as a spin instructor because of her social media posts supporting Palestinians. Chrysa Jonas had been a spin instructor at Heights Cycle in Palos Heights (and its former incarnation as Revival Cycle) since December of 2020. She says…
Stagg runs away with ISBE awards
By Jeff Vorva Stagg High School cleaned house in winning several Those Who Excel awards from the Illinois State Board of Education. The Charger Team Space at Stagg won an ISBE team award for meritorious service. Team members are Nicole Leibfried, Tricia Biel, Pat Wright, Jacob Randulich, Eric Elget, Ayaa Al Kurdi, Matt Seibt, Mary…
Illinois News
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…