NEWS
Flossmoor police chief off work several days to allow ‘cooling of heads.’ Flossmoor residents expressed frustration at Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting that little information was available about rumored disciplinary action against Police Chief Jerel Jones. A WGN-TV story Wednesday night included a statement attributed to the assistant village manager:
“The Chief has been asked to take a couple days off to allow for a cooling of heads after he, in part, orchestrated a political demonstration at the Village Board meeting in order to create a distraction and place Village leadership, the Flossmoor Police Department and our community in a false and unfavorable light. Jerel Jones is still the Chief of the Flossmoor Police Department. The public will be informed of any changes in personnel.”
The Chronicle sent email shortly before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to Mayor Michelle Nelson and Village Manager Bridget Wachtel requesting an interview to discuss the situation. As of 10 p.m. Wednesday neither had replied.
Flossmoor Veterans Memorial Trivia Night. FVM will host its annual trivia night on March 15. John Yast and Village Clerk Gina LoGalbo gave the event a plug at Monday’s Flossmoor board meeting. They said at the time there were still seven seats available.
District 161 Diversity Dinner. Homewood-Flossmoor High School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Catherine Ross-Cook will be the speaker at the District 161 Diversity Dinner on April 3. Register here.
Feminine product drive. For Women’s History Month, Open Access is conducting a women’s hygiene product drive. The goal is to make sanitary pads, tampons and menstrual cups accessible to women in need. Products can be dropped off during March at Open Access, 900 Maple Ave.; Gaia’s Refillery and Market, 1948 Ridge Road; and Loulou Belle, 2049 Ridge Road.
Homewood family pays a visit to the Blizzard Wizard. Nic Cortellini came up with the winning name in Homewood’s Name the Snowplow contest with his entry, Blizzard Wizard. He and his wife, Julie, and their two sons, Lucas, 4, and Gavin, 2, got a chance to see the name applied to the side of the plow on Feb. 28. The boys got a chance to get in the driver’s seat of the big truck. Antonia Steinmiller, village communication and engagement specialist, said the contest attracted more than 100 entries, and after winnowing them down to the top picks, about 600 votes were cast by the public.
Steelpan Band concert. Abundant Grace United Church will host an evening concert performed by the Northern Illinois University Steelpan Band from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at 18200 Dixie Highway in Homewood. The band was created in 1973 and has performed locally and worldwide. Tickets at $15 for adults and $10 for students.
Eclipse viewing glasses. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will have eclipse viewing glasses available starting Monday, March 11. The limit is five per person. Visit the service desk on the main level to pick up the glasses. Available on a first come, first serve basis.
Learn more about the April 8 total solar eclipse here.
H-F alum qualifies for wrestling championship. Jermaine Butler, Homewood-Flossmoor class of 2023, will wrestle for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championship March 14-16 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He finished among the top three wrestlers at the Upper Midwest Regional.
DEMOCRACY WATCH
Time to vote. This is it. Early voting began Monday, March 4, and continues through March 18, the day before the primary election. Voting in the primary is especially important in Cook County because it’s a Democratic Party stronghold. That means the winner of the primary, in many cases, is effectively the winner of the position because there are no Republican opponents or opponents have little chance of winning.
What do you need to Early Vote?
You can register to vote at all Early Vote Sites. Any voter who needs to register for the first time or file an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address.
Source: Cook County Clerk’s Office early voting page. Find more information there.
Vote by mail. Anyone can vote by mail as long as the ballot has a postmark no later than March 19 for the primary election. Voters need to apply for a mail ballot. Start the process here.
Check on your election information. Want to find out what will be on your ballot on Election Day? Want to know where your polling place is? Find out specific information about your voting status here.