Sunday, May 19, 2013
Monday is your last chance to share comments on IDOT's plan to ease congestion along Interstate 290.
Area residents have until Monday, May 20, to share their comments on an IDOT plan to ease congestion along Interstate 290. The Illinois Department of Transportation has four final alternatives to address this issue, all of which include adding a lane and moving the Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard ramps to the outside. State officials say no Oak Park property will be needed for the new ramps, but a Village of Oak Park news release said that some citizens have said the placement could have negative impacts. To learn more about the plans, go to the Eisenhower Expressway project website. The seven documents at the top of the page are the most relevant, especially the I-290 Alternatives Evaluation Summary 2013 Apr02. Residents can share …
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Many residents in Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest were affected by the floods in April. Find out how you can apply for federal assistance.
The village governments in Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest have sent notices to residents recently to inform them that federal aid could be available for victims of the April flooding. President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration offering federal aid. The declaration covers those affected by the severe storms and winds between April 16 and May 5. Those applying for federal assistance will be asked to provide insurance, damage and financial information. A FEMA inspector will assess the damage at the home or business. Should the applicant qualify for federal assistance, a check should be available within the week for direct deposit in the applicant’s bank. Even those who think they don’t qualify are strongly encouraged to …
Friday, May 17, 2013
Passed by a 35-21 vote, the bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn, who has not yet said whether he intends to sign it.
By a vote of 35-21, the Illinois Senate approved legislation on Friday that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe marijuana as pain relief for severe medical conditions. The bill now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature. According to the Chicago Tribune, the bill covers 33 specific conditions—including multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV infection—and includes several controls, with a four-year trial program, dosage limits, fingerprinting, background checks and licensed dispensing centers. “This bill is filled with walls to keep this limited,” the paper quoted sponsoring Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), who urged lawmakers to pass the legislation as a compassionate measure for those suffering with extreme pain. In opposition, Sen. …
Friday, May 10, 2013
The Kangaroo Corner Daycare Center on Beloit welcomes the addition of a new community garden, according to the Forest Park Review.
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Friday, May 10
The Kangaroo Corner Daycare Center, in the 900 block of Beloit, has a new community garden thanks to efforts by the Oak Park and River Forest Community Foundation Leadership group who sponsored the garden, according to the Forest Park Review. The purpose of the garden is to teach children about nutrition and to recognize how fresh fruit and vegetables are grown, according to the Forest Park Review. Read more on the Forest Park Review.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for 11 Illinois counties to be named major disaster areas.
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Thursday, May 9
Governor Pat Quinn today asked President Barack Obama to declare 11 Illinois counties major disaster areas following the storms and heavy rainfall that moved through the state in mid-April. If the governor’s request is approved, residents in those counties will be eligible to apply for grants and low-interest federal loans to help recover from the historic flooding. Counties included in the request are Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will. “We must do everything possible to help families impacted by this historic flooding as they rebuild their lives,” Governor Quinn said. “Today we are making a strong case to President Obama to help expedite the review and approval process so the people of …
Friday, May 3, 2013
Cook, DuPage and Kane counties are all along the declared disaster areas; businesses impacted by the flood are encouraged to contact the comptroller’s office.
Illinois Comptroller Judy Barr Topinka released a statement Wednesday pledging that state payments will be highly prioritized towards flood recovery efforts in counties declared disaster areas, including Cook, DuPage and Kane counties. “Recent storms and flooding have destroyed the livelihoods of thousands of residents in every part of our state,” Topinka said in a press release. “Many of those hit by this ‘once in a lifetime’ flood are struggling with what to do next, and in need of immediate help to rebuild and recover. “To that end, the Comptroller’s Office stands ready to work with business impacted by this natural disaster to prioritize delayed state payments. Likewise, the office will prioritize state payments for businesses …
The price tag for the property was $499,000, according to the Forest Park Review.
The Park District of Forest Park has purchased the Roos property, 7329 Harrison St., for $499,000, according to a Forest Park Review article. The purchase has been in the works for at least three years and the building will now need to be evaluated to see if it can be safely renovated, according to the article
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Unemployment rates in Illinois dropped slightly from February to March, according to new figures released this week. That held true for several western suburbs, while the national rate was still down from 2012.
Unemployment rates in Illinois dropped from February 2013 to March, though they're still higher than this time last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. IDES generally reports unemployment figures for municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more people. The numbers measure unemployment for residents who live in a certain town, not those who work in the town. Towns like Forest Park don't have population numbers high enough for their own numbers, but Oak Park and nearby Berwyn and Cicero are listed. The latter two have some of the highest unemployment rates in the western suburbs, while Oak Park's is one of the lowest, at 6.6 percent. "Illinois employers …
Friday, April 26, 2013
According to the American Lung Association's 2013 "State of the Air," Cook County gets an "F."
This week, the American Lung Association released its 2013 "State of the Air" report card and Cook County received an "F." Lake County also received an "F" but the other Chicago area collar counties (McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will) all received B's. On Monday, the Sierra Club, along with a coalition of other organizations, will be speaking to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at a hearing in Chicago to support the EPA's proposed "Tier 3" tailpipe standards to reduce the amount of sulfur in gasoline. Public comment The public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in LaSalle Ballroom 2 of the Doubletree Magnificent Mile, in Chicago. There will be a pre-event rally and group photo at 9:30 a.m. Residents can also submit comment to the EPA …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Forest Park and River Forest officials are asking residents to detail their flood damage. If it meets a certain dollar threshold, these municipalities could qualify for federal relief.
Procrustes' Foil
5:22 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Ditto, Just Sayin. more ›