Flossmoor
GOVERNMENT
New Illinois laws 2024: More laws in effect July 1, including minimum wage, tax increases
A host of new laws went into effect in Illinois Monday, at the halfway point of the year.Some of the new laws mean you will pay more at the pump and at your favorite Chicago restaurants, but it also means many minimum wage workers are getting a raise.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchMinimum wage increaseMinimum wage workers in Chicago and Cook County will be getting a raise July 1.Those workers will now make a base pay of $16.20 per hour.Chicago tipped minimum wage phase-outChicago started the first phase of cutting out tipped wages for workers. The...
New Rainbow Cone shop to open in Chicago suburb
FLOSSMOOR, Ill. - Flossmoor is set to welcome a new Rainbow Cone store this week. The new ice cream shop will open Wednesday at 19805 S. Crawford Ave., near Richton Township High School. The festivities will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m., followed by the store's opening at 11 a.m. The first 50 customers in line will receive a free Rainbow Cone.
Harvey mayor commits to not increase property taxes under 'Hold the Tax' pledge
A sigh of relief for some homeowners in the south suburbs.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchHarvey Mayor Christopher Clark announced a plan on Tuesday to not increase property taxes for the 2025 fiscal year."People are getting bills that are 100 times more, some of them are getting $4,000, $6,000 increases," Clark said. "If we can get everyone to hold the tax at 0%, that resident will know that his or her bill is going to be in the upcoming year and they will be able to plan for it."The city encouraged other elected officials in the south suburbs to join the so-called "Hold The Tax" pledge.
Dolton Village Board meeting yet again devolves into frenzy
Another meeting of the village board in Dolton took a chaotic turn. Most of the meeting was calm. Then, an activist, Jedidiah Brown, confronted Trustee Andrew Holmes over allegations of sexual assault that Holmes has denied.
Flossmoor Public Art Commission holds garden art fundraiser to pay for public art display
Art lovers in one south suburb are holding a unique auction to help pay for a public art display. Nancy Burrows is co-chair of the Flossmoor Public Art Commission, which has erected several sculptures around the village.
Road closures will impact local travel Wednesday and Thursday
LANSING, Ill. (July 2, 2024) – The Village of Lansing issued a CivicReady alert at 1:36 p.m. Tuesday to make the community aware of two imminent road closures. On Wednesday, July 3, beginning at 7 a.m., Public Works will close Burnham Avenue from 186th to 189th for road repair. The street will reopen once the project is completed.
Cook County veteran gifted new roof from local contractor: 'It was like winning the lottery'
THORNTON, Ill. - There’s a new roof going up on a house in south suburban Thornton. Normally, that’s not big news. But under this new roof, a remarkable story played out involving a military veteran with an ill granddaughter who got a helping hand from a local contractor.
Some Under-Construction Streets And Expressways Will Open To Ease July 4th Traffic Congestion
CHICAGO— Some closed traffic lanes will open on area expressways and streets to ease traffic congestion during the Fourth of July holiday, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. Non-emergency closures at state-controlled road construction projects will be suspended from 3 p.m. Wednesday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, except for...
A former employee of a Cook County agency sues over his firing, alleging retaliation
A former aide to Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele has filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit against the county property-tax appeal agency, Steele and her top aide, court records show. The ex-employee, Frank Calabrese, said he was an appeals analyst and communications director for Steele until he was...
After Matteson Freight Train Derailment, Local Officials Look to Ensure Community’s Safety
Residents of south suburban Matteson were in for a shock the morning of June 27 when a major freight train derailment caused nearly 25 cars to fall off the tracks, resulting in a temporary evacuation order for up to 300 people. Trains are running again and there are no reported...
Indiana Living: Explore the 5 Most Desirable Neighborhoods
In Indiana, the phrase “Hoosier hospitality” refers to a way of life. But deciding where to feel Indiana’s warmth can be a fascinating challenge, given the state’s varied geography that includes both quaint small villages and booming cities. This study examines Indiana’s top five communities, each...
Jones and Gray-Everett vote with Henyard at brief Thornton Township special meeting
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (July 2, 2024) – The July 1 special meeting agenda that was reportedly posted on the Thornton Township website Friday contained seven items. The meeting lasted almost exactly 10 minutes, though it started nearly 20 minutes late, so those who arrived on time still spent a half-hour in session.
Nearly 150 new Illinois ZIP codes added to high-risk lead testing list
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Starting this month, 1-, 2- and 3-year-old children living in nearly 150 communities in Illinois will need their blood screened for lead, a test that wasn't previously required in those parts of the state.The Illinois Department of Public Health announced an expanded list of high-risk ZIP codes this year, including more than a dozen in Cook County, increasing mandatory testing for lead exposure of children who live within those areas. A total of nearly 1,200 ZIP codes in Illinois now are considered high-risk for lead exposure."There is no safe level of lead in the blood," said Illinois...
Dolton firefighters confront Mayor Tiffany Henyard over unpaid wages, insurance issues
DOLTON - They say where there’s smoke there’s fire, which is why more than a dozen firefighters in south suburban Dolton are going public with their concerns about the controversies smoldering at village hall. On Monday, those firefighters confronted Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard at a village board meeting,...
Dolton firefighters: Village refuses to negotiate new contract; residents join in expressing anger, frustration
DOLTON, Ill. — Firefighters in the south suburban Village of Dolton dropped a major bombshell during a board meeting Monday night, saying they’ve been working without a contract for almost five years and demanding answers on retirement funds, workmen’s compensation and union dues. Community members, including the local firefighters union president, took part in public […]
Going Green at Blue Island Public Library
Blue Island Public Library is delighted to announce that it has been chosen as to participate in the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Green Infrastructure Program. Through this partnership, a new green roof will be constructed on the library in 2025. The green roof will assist in absorbing excess storm water during heavy rainfall events, reducing storm water runoff into sewer systems in the area, mitigating sewer backup and flooding due to overloaded systems. In addition, this infrastructure will assist in reducing the effects of the urban heat island in uptown Blue Island, while lowering energy consumption for heating and cooling of the library building.
Illinois Indiana Traffic Advisory: Military Procession for Fallen Soldier to Impact O’Hare, Route 30
Dyer, IN – This evening, between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., residents are advised to expect traffic disruptions as a military funeral procession honors 27-year-old SSG US Army Brandon Fassoth, who passed away while on active duty. According to the Town of Dyer Police Department, the procession will start...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.