Local News
Orland Park Christmas parade lights up the season
“Even in the cold, this parade warms your heart,” said Cathy Garner, an Orland Park resident who joined her twin daughters in Sunday’s Christmas Parade. With temperatures hovering at 25 degrees but feeling like 15 due to the wind chill, residents bundled up in blankets, winter coats, and hats for the beloved tradition. The parade…
Chicago poll a ‘North Star’ amid 2025 budget disputes, local aldermen say
Change Research conducted an online survey of 801 general election voters from Nov. 18-21, focusing on Chicago’s budget negotiations. The city-wide poll was conducted to discover residents’ opinions about various topics such as politician and group favorability, property taxes, city spending, Chicago’s sanctuary city status and more. The majority of poll respondents identified as Democrats;…
Grandma’s legacy: Patsy’s gaming and golf brings fun and community to Palos Heights
Jim Ostry grew up in Evanston, across the street from Northwestern University. He spent his summers of his youth working as a caddy at Westmoreland Country Club. “That was when I started golfing and fell in love with the game,” said Ostry, of Lakeview. Ostry turned his passion for golf into a career with a…
Historian Kevin Wood brings Lincoln to life in Thanksgiving program
Standing over 6 feet tall and wearing a wide-brimmed stovetop hat, Kevin Wood cuts a striking figure as Abraham Lincoln. The historian from Adrian, Michigan, began portraying the 16th U.S. president—who served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865—due to their uncanny physical similarities. Wood and Lincoln even share the same height. As Lincoln once…
Mac and cheese, please! Mad Chicken brings comfort food flavors to Palos Park
Melted cheese dripped off the fork as Sawyer Schweikert took another bite of her favorite meal: mac and cheese. She’s nearly two years old and already has found her go-to dish at Mad Chicken, a new comfort food spot at 13037 LaGrange Road in Palos Park. Mad Chicken hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony…
Palos Heights council makes waves, approves $1.8M pool upgrade plan
Fifteen years after a citizens’ group fundraised to save the city’s aging pool from closure, the facility is undergoing a $1.8 million transformation. The upgrades, partially funded by a $600,000 grant, include decking repairs, concrete replacements, and a new pool house. “This pool is 50 years old,” Alderman Jeffrey Key said. “We’re essentially getting a…
Contested races mark Palos Heights’ April election
Palos Heights voters are set to cast their ballots on April 1, 2025, in an election featuring key races for mayor, city treasurer, and City Council seats. Mayor Incumbent Mayor Robert Straz, who has served in various capacities in Palos Heights for more than 40 years, is seeking another term. Straz’s campaign highlights his tenure…
In the holiday spirit, YSV Candles and Gifts nurtures creativity, connection in Garfield Ridge
Mildred Rivera, owner of YSV Candles and Gifts, is more than a businesswoman. She’s a candlemaker and community advocate whose Garfield Ridge store is a hub for artisan wares and creative workshops. Located at 6623 W. Archer Ave., YSV Candles and Gifts offers handmade candles, natural cosmetics, and unique artisan creations from 20 local makers.…
Area Lions clubs ready to sing ‘O Christmas Tree’
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time for local Lions Clubs to hold their annual sale of Christmas trees to raise money for the wonderful causes they support during the year. The Palos Lions will get the tree sales rolling early this year because Thanksgiving falls so late, Nov. 28. The club…
Pekau, Dodge to duke it out in Orland Park
At one time, Keith Pekau and Jim Dodge were on friendly terms. Pekau said he even supported Dodge for Illinois treasurer in the 2018 election. But things went sour during their time on the village board with Pekau being the mayor and Dodge a senior trustee and the two frequently locked horns until Dodge declined…
Park Lawn Queen of Hearts picks a winner – finally
After two years with no winner and a jackpot exceeding $2 million, Park Lawn’s longest-running Queen of Hearts raffle will conclude with a draw-down that was scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at At the Office sports bar, 4901 Cal-Sag Road, Crestwood. An exceptionally large crowd turned out for the Nov. 13 drawing, where…
Hickory Hills honors veterans with annual ceremony at Veterans Park
As the sun set on Veterans Park Thursday evening, residents, city officials, and veterans gathered to honor the strength, dedication, and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The annual Hickory Hills ceremony, held in celebration of Veterans Day week, paid tribute to veterans and the values they fought to protect.…
‘Tis the season: Palos Lions Club kicks off Christmas tree sale Saturday
Thanksgiving is falling late on the calendar this year, but there’s no need to delay your holiday cheer—Palos Lions Club’s Christmas tree sale opens for business on Saturday. Since the early 1950s, the Palos Lions Club has hosted an annual Christmas tree sale in the south parking lot of the Old National Bank building at…
Stickney promotes first female police sergeant, 2 corporals
Three officers from the Stickney Police Department were promoted at the Nov. 6 Stickney Board of Trustees meeting. The board approved Police Chief James Sassetti’s promotion recommendations unanimously. Before a full boardroom of family, fellow officers, and residents, Ashley McDonald, Brian Kelliher, and Mitchell Hattan were elevated in rank. McDonald, previously a watch commander, was…
Residents, Chicago activists react to shooting near Garfield Ridge tavern
Garfield Ridge residents expressed fear and frustration Sunday night after a shooting Friday night in the 7000 block of West Archer Avenue killed one person and injured two. Residents and Chicago activists held a press conference Sunday night outside the former Halina’s Pub at 7023 W. Archer and called for the tavern’s permanent closure and…
1 killed, 2 hurt in Garfield Ridge shooting
One man was killed and two others were wounded in a shootout Friday night in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood. The shooting took place in the 7000 block of West Archer Avenue in what may have been an illegally operating bar. Police said two men – ages 27 and 31 – were walking down the street…
Rhine VFW Post pays tribute to veterans
Veterans Day was celebrated last week by members of Rhine VFW Post 2729 in a ceremony that welcomed veterans, family and guests. The post at 5858 S. Archer Ave. has members from Garfield Ridge and Clearing and a number of suburban members who moved over after the VFW Post in Summit closed a few years…
Stagg High students explore trade careers at vocational fair
Stagg High School students had a chance to explore careers in the trade industry on Tuesday during a Vocational Fair at the school’s campus, 8015 W. 111th St., aimed at broadening their exposure to post-secondary options. “Every student has an individual path and goal for their future, and each should have the opportunity to learn…
Justice board OKs purchase of upgraded Tasers
Justice Village Board members have approved purchasing seven Taser 10 devices for $52,656 from Axon Enterprises Inc. The new equipment is expected to be ready for use in early 2025 after officers complete training. Deputy Police Chief Fred Schuerg highlighted the advancements of the Taser 10s compared to the older Taser 7s during the board’s…
UPDATE: Priest cleared of abuse charges
A local priest who was asked to step aside over allegations of sexual abuse of a minor was reinstated by the Chicago Archdiocese on Saturday. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services closed their investigation of the Rev. Martin “Marty” Marren, who was temporarily relieved of his duties on Nov. 9. The priest had…
Illinois News
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…
Madigan prosecutors conclude questioning of alderman-turned-FBI mole Danny Solis
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – The day after Thanksgiving in 2018, then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis sat in powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office to tell him what he’d privately known for months: after 23 years in the Chicago City Council, he wasn’t going to run for another term in the February election. Solis thought…
The next school reform push in Illinois: testing and accountability
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Education officials from five statewide organizations are pushing for fundamental changes in the way student achievement is measured each year and how schools are held accountable for meeting the state’s academic standards. In a new report entitled Vision 2030, organizations representing local school boards, superintendents, principals, district business officers, and…
‘You know why I’m interested’: Wiretaps, secretly recorded videos show Madigan recruiting business to his law firm
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – For the second time in the span of seven months, then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan called up Chicago Ald. Danny Solis after reading about a proposed real estate development in the alderman’s ward. “Danny, I think there’s a, a proposed development in – it’s called Peoria Park,” Madigan said in…
State watchdog uncovers at least $7.2M in PPP fraud by state employees
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, the Office of the Executive Inspector General has been investigating allegations that…
State watchdog uncovers at least $7.2M in PPP fraud by state employees
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, the Office of the Executive Inspector General has been investigating allegations that…
State watchdog uncovers at least $7.2M in PPP fraud by state employees
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, the Office of the Executive Inspector General has been investigating allegations that…
‘You shouldn’t be talking like that’: Madigan scolded alderman-turned-FBI mole for bringing up ‘quid pro quo’
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis had already been cooperating with the FBI for a little more than a year in June 2017 when he received an unexpected voicemail from powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. “Danny, it’s Mike Madigan,” began the brief message, which included none of what the speaker wanted…
Conservative group asks U.S. Supreme Court to review Mike Bost’s challenge to how mail-in votes are counted in Illinois
Capitol News Illinois The conservative group Judicial Watch is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case filed by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, challenging Illinois’ law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted 14 days after the election. Under Illinois law, ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted as late as 14 days…
Hemp growers push back against proposed new regulations
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A legislative committee and the Illinois Department of Agriculture agreed recently to delay finalizing new regulations governing hemp production amid an outcry of protests from small, independent producers. Those proposed rules have been in development for at least two years. But the most recent draft, submitted in September, contained significant…
