Local News
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…
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…
Former Evergreen Park Carson’s may reopen as new store
By Joe Boyle The shuttered Carson’s store located in the Evergreen Plaza shopping area has been designated as “severely blighted” and eligible for Class 8 designation. A new retail store operation in the U.S., with the assistance of the property owner, said they are willing to invest more than $10 million in new improvements to…
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,…
Mammal madness sets in at OLCHS
By Kelly White March Madness is taking over Oak Lawn Community High School, but not in the form of basketball. For the fourth year in a row, the school, 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, participated in March Mammal Madness. “I love participating in March Mammal Madness because I am able to research and learn about…
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Illinois News
This Coastal State’s Approach to Flooding May Be a Model for Illinois Communities
by Laura Stewart, Illinois Answers Project This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. Editor’s note: This is the second story examining government home buyouts. Read part one, which focuses on Illinois’ program, here. WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, N.J. – In an area once dotted with single family homes, a one-mile gravel path weaves…
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…
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…