West Cook News

Administrators in Rhodes School District 84-5 earn an average of $132,939 per year, ranking 130th highest in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.

National Preparedness Month promotes disaster readiness

September is National Preparedness Month to raise awareness and promote action to prepare for natural and man-made disasters. It also informs about the importance of planning before an emergency occurs to be better informed to recover.

Parkway Tree Replacement Program opens for fall

The Parkway Tree Replacement Program is now open for the fall season, allowing residents to replace or add a parkway tree while sharing the cost with the Village. Through this program, property owners will cover approximately 25% of the cost ($80.00), while the Village will handle the remaining 75% ($270.00). This fee includes the cost of the tree, shipping, and planting.

Analysis: Riverside Brookfield Township School District 208 administrators rank 121st highest in state for average salary in 2023

Administrators in Riverside Brookfield Township School District 208 earn an average of $133,861 per year, ranking 121st highest in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.

Pumpkin smash composting event set for November 9 in Western Springs

By West Cook News | Sep 25, 2024

Green your Halloween by composting your pumpkin at the Western Springs Pumpkin Smash. The Pumpkin Smash is an effort to divert pumpkins from landfills by providing locations for residents to drop off jack-o-lanterns to be composted.

Construction update for Commuter Lot 8 Green Parking Lot in Riverside

By West Cook News | Sep 25, 2024

Commuter Lot 8 Green Parking Lot construction continued last week. The General Contractor, MYS, completed pouring the curb and gutter and began installation of the exposed aggregate sidewalks.

2023: Brookfield LaGrange Park School District 95 administrators rank 102nd highest in state for average salary

Administrators in Brookfield LaGrange Park School District 95 earn an average of $137,161 per year, ranking 102nd highest in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.

West Cook State House candidate, Suzanne Akhras Sahloul, is board member of pro-Hamas group

By LGIS News Service | Sep 24, 2024

Democrat Illinois State House candidate Suzanne Akhras Sahloul is an active board member for the Chicago branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization whose leader said he was "happy" that Hamas attacked Israel last October 7.

Cicero breaks ground on first fully accessible playground

Town President Larry Dominick broke ground on Monday, September 23, 2024, on Cicero’s first fully disability-accessible playground. The event took place at 1844 S. Laramie Avenue and was attended by officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), state, county, and town leaders.

Cicero police detectives receive Irma Ruiz Valor Award for heroic actions

Three Cicero Police Detectives have been honored with the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association (HISLEA) Irma Ruiz Valor Award. The award ceremony took place on September 20, 2024.

Cook County awards $3.6M grants to social equity cannabis entrepreneurs

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the awarding of $3.6 million in Cook County Cannabis Development Grants to 40 entrepreneurs from communities historically affected by criminalization, incarceration, and exclusion due to the War on Drugs. The grants aim to support Cannabis Social Equity License holders in offsetting expenses related to opening and operating cannabis businesses in Illinois.

Proviso Township High School District 209 administrators rank 98th highest in state for average salary in 2023

Administrators in Proviso Township High School District 209 earn an average of $137,795 per year, ranking 98th highest in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.

OPRF high school parents unhappy with ‘detracked’ curriculum and instruction

OPRF high school administrators recently put more distance between themselves and the academic impact of equalizing freshman year with a “curriculum analysis” that was limited to a survey of student, staff and family feelings.

Illinois receives disaster declaration after severe storms

FEMA's Individual Assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the severe weather Oak Park and surrounding areas experienced on July 13 through July 16, 2024.

Cook County approves property tax incentives aimed at semiconductor industry

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the property tax incentive ordinance on September 19, aiming to position Cook County as a leader in the semiconductor and microchip manufacturing industries. The new Class 8 MICRO incentive, effective immediately, aligns with the State of Illinois’ Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act and offers significant tax reductions to manufacturers of semiconductors, microchips, and associated components.

Early voting at Brookfield Village Hall runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 4