Local News
Chuy says yes to marijuana act
Calls war on drugs ‘racist and anti-immigrant’ From staff reports U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) recently touted his vote for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. “Since the first anti-marijuana laws and throughout the war on drugs, marijuana policy has been constructed according to racist and anti-immigrant biases,” García said. “Even the name…
County to vaccinate dogs, cats
From staff reports The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control has announced its 2022 Partners in Prevention clinic locations. ARC is partnering with local animal organizations to offer low-cost or free one-year rabies vaccines and microchips. Clinics are available to Cook County dogs and cats. Owners must bring proof of residency (driver’s license or state ID)…
Dart applauds action on ‘ghost guns’
From staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart recently applauded the Illinois General Assembly for passing legislation to combat the proliferation of un-serialized “ghost guns” that are impossible to trace and make it harder to solve violent crimes. “Untraceable ghost guns pose a significant threat to our efforts to combat violence.” Dart said. “It…
Dems fight carjacking
Bills unveiled in Springfield By Grace Kinnicutt Capitol News Illinois and Tim Hadac Illinois Senate Democrats unveiled legislation last week to address the increase in carjackings by protecting victims and providing additional resources to law enforcement in targeting and capturing offenders. Carjacking is a frequent topic of discussion in Clearing and Garfield Ridge, especially at…
Thoughts of summer in the spring
By Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Spring has sprung, but I (probably like you) have gotten a bit wet. We seem to have had our share of rainy skies. I know the old saying is that “April showers bring May flowers,” but haven’t the flowers gotten enough moisture…
Wildcats are hoops champions
Two years after their playoff run was halted by the start of the pandemic, members of the St. Daniel the Prophet School’s eighth grade boys basketball team wear their championship T-shirts after they took the title at Hale Park recently. The Wildcats went 8-0 in the regular season, then stormed through the playoffs, defeating St.…
Crime fighters to meet
By Tim Hadac Those who live west of Central Avenue in Garfield Ridge are invited to attend the next meeting of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 at Ward Hall, 5157 S. McVicker. The meeting will double as the April meeting of CAPS Beat 811. Crime statistics will be…
Garfield Ridge Civic to meet
From staff reports Garfield Ridge residents are invited to attend the next meeting of the Garfield Ridge Civic League, set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 at Crossroads Community Church, 5433 S. Austin. A guest speaker from the Citizens Utility Board will talk about saving money on utility bills. Those attending are enter the church…
Lopez announces mayoral run
Pro-police alderman has been popular locally By Tim Hadac He does not represent Clearing or Garfield Ridge, but Raymond A. Lopez wants to. The 15th Ward alderman and Democratic committeeman last week announced his candidacy for mayor. With a simple tweet (“Chicago, I’m in!”), Lopez on April 6 signaled his candidacy. At a brief press…
Mayor unveils gas giveaway
Tax dollars to aid some city residents By Tim Hadac Days after multi-millionaire businessman Willie Wilson attracted nationwide attention by giving away a million dollars of his own money to pay for gasoline at stations across the Chicago area, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Chicago Moves, a financial assistance program related to transportation expenses. In a…
79th St. slaying leads to fed gun bust
Charge reputed gang members with buying weapons, ammo from soldiers By Tim Hadac A federal investigation launched in the wake of a shooting in a Wrightwood storefront a year ago has led to the indictment of nine reputed gang members allegedly tied to three U.S. Army soldiers accused of illegally selling firearms and ammunition. The…
‘A day of enormous consequence’
Rush watches Biden sign Emmett Till law From staff reports The Emmett Till Antilynching Act, legislation sponsored and negotiated by U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st), was signed into law last week by President Joe Biden at a White House Rose Garden ceremony. The act passed the U.S. House on Feb. 28 by a 422-3 vote…
Scouts learn, earn at camp
Last month, members of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of Sea Holy Name Society) attended a cabin camping trip at the Owasippe Scout Reservation in Twin Lakes, Mich. Staying in the historic Owasippe Guest lodge established in 1948, Scouts prepared all meals to earn rank advancements, enjoyed board games, hiking…
Cudney honored by Orland Park for raising money for Ukraine
By Jeff Vorva Eleven-year-old Luke Cudney is a home-school student in Orland Park who learned a little bit about making pottery via a video class. Little did he know that it would lead him to being honored by the Village of Orland Park trustees and Mayor Keith Pekau. Pekau presented Cudney with a Community Pride…
Palos Heights looks to add more parking at Lake Katherine
By Jeff Vorva When Lake Katherine gets busy, parking can be an issue. The facility and the City of Palos Heights are working on improving that situation. Plans are in the works for additional parking to be created in what is now an open field on the northeast side of the property. “The goal is…
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…
Worth residents complain about rat infestation
By Joe Boyle A group of Worth residents stated Tuesday night that a surge in the rodent population has them frustrated and disgusted and would like village officials to address the problem. During the public forum segment of the Worth Village Board meeting, residents asked if the village could do more to eliminate the growing…
Oak Lawn’s Adult East Egg Hunt
By Kelly White Easter’s not just for kids anymore. Thanks to the Oak Lawn Park District, it’s also for adults. The park district hosted an Adult Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 2, at Stony Creek Golf Course, 5850 W. 103rd Street, Oak Lawn. “This was a fun way for adults to celebrate the holiday and…
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…
Illinois News
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
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
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
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
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
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’
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
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
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
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…
