Local News
Bylut hopes Palos Heights library will offer more in-person programs
By Jeff Vorva Former COVID-19 rules are being relaxed but a pandemic byproduct still exists in Palos Heights. In the same week that mandatory mask rules were lifted on airplanes and local transportation, Palos Heights Alderman Don Bylut wondered aloud about why all of the programs he had seen posted in newspapers and online were……
Orland Park Library celebrates art of quilting
By Kelly White As a youth, Linda Augsburg was in a 4-H club where she learned how to sew. At the time, she did mostly garment sewing, but was always striving to learn more. Today, through her years of dedicated ambition, she is known as an expert quilter. “I continue to learn and explore so……
Area Sports Roundup: Marist coach Connolly retires
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The only girls basketball head coach in Marist history is retiring. Mary Pat Connolly, who started the RedHawks program in 2002 when the Chicago private school went coed, is giving up coaching the program. “It’s been a fun journey for my family,” Connolly told Daily Southtown columnist Tony Baranek. “They……
Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars face a potentially Challenge-ing schedule
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars have put themselves in a great position to make it to the semifinals of the Challenge Cup. But is that a good thing? The Red Stars tied Racing Louisville, 1-1, on the road April 16. A victory at Kansas City this Saturday would mean a trip……
Boys Volleyball: Inexperienced roster has Marist off to one of best starts in program history
By Randy Whalen Correspondent Back in March, Marist began the season by winning its own tournament. While it was the first time the RedHawks hosted the tourney in three years, because of COVID, it was also the third consecutive time they won it. But with a bevy of fresh faces, this one was the most……
College Report: Area alums gunning for back-to-back national titles with Carthage men’s volleyball
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer This Marist/Chicago Christian/Lyons connection could lead Carthage College to another national title. Marist setter Gene McNulty, Chicago Christian middle hitter Zach Bulthuis and Lyons outside hitter Matt Slivinski helped lead the defending national champs to the Final Four of the NCAA Division III men’s volleyball tournament with a pair of……
Oak Lawn plans senior center at library
By Joe Boyle Oak Lawn Mayor Terry Vorderer said that a new senior facility should return to where it was originally located — in the center of town. “Before I got elected, we had a building for seniors at 95th and Raymond,” Vorderer said during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night. “But the……
Bridgeview Park District donates Easter eggs to Ukrainian refugees
From staff reports In a show of good will and support to the people of Ukraine, the Bridgeview Park District donated over 500 eggs to Ukrainian refugees in Poland during their annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 8. The park district invited Rev. Vasyl Sendeha, pastor of the St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church……
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……
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……
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……
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Comings & Goings
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……