Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller led the first meeting of the Chicago-Cook County Task Force to Reduce Violence Against Women on Jan. 7. Miller said the task force is an effort to strengthen protections and coordinate solutions for survivors of domestic violence. The task force brings together elected officials, justice[Read More…]
Author: Provided News
Rep. DeLuca proposes state tax deduction on gratuities
State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has introduced a measure in the Illinois House that would create a state income tax deduction for gratuities. He said it would enable working people to keep more of their earnings. Through 2025 legislation Congress provided a temporary federal income tax deduction for qualified[Read More…]
South Suburban Housing Center settles discrimination complaint against Springfield apartment complex
South Suburban Housing Center, the regional fair housing enforcement and housing counseling agency based in Homewood, reached a settlement with the owners and management of Pine Ridge Apartments, a 224-unit apartment complex in Springfield, resolving a complaint of housing discrimination based on source of income. The complaint was filed with[Read More…]
Cook County health officials warn of flu spike
Flu activity in suburban Cook County has elevated from high to very high for the week ending Dec. 27, 2025, and continues to increase, according to Cook County Department of Public Health’s respiratory surveillance data. RSV activity has elevated from low to moderate and is increasing. COVID-19 activity remains low but[Read More…]
Elected leaders condemn attack on Venezuela
Several elected leaders who represent or are running to represent the South Suburbs issued statements since the news broke that the Trump administration bombed and sent troops into Venezuela early Saturday. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody and brought to the U.S. to[Read More…]
Cook County reports drops in homicides, opioid overdose deaths in 2025
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has released preliminary statistics for cases handled in 2025. Homicides and opioid overdose deaths declined substantially over 2024. While the office’s caseload continued to surpass pre-COVID levels, with 6,901 cases falling under its jurisdiction last year, caseloads continued to drop from the pandemic-era peak[Read More…]
Homewood Police Chief Denise McGrath to retire Jan. 9
At the Dec. 9, 2025, village board meeting, Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld announced that Homewood Police Chief Denise McGrath will retire after a three-decade law enforcement career. Her final day of service to the village will be Jan. 9. Following her retirement, McGrath will continue her law enforcement career as[Read More…]
New state public health laws take effect Jan. 1
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that several new laws designed to strengthen public health initiatives will take effect Jan. 1. “The new year offers a critical opportunity to advance public health and protect Illinois families through new laws and innovative strategies,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. [Read More…]
RTA board approves budget, capital program with no fare hikes or service cuts
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors voted on Dec. 18 to adopt the 2026 regional transit operating budget and 2026-2030 capital program. After years of the agency and advocates ringing the alarm on a fiscal cliff when COVID-19 relief funds ran out, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill[Read More…]
State to increase Planned Parenthood funding to protect reproductive healthcare access
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is investing $4 million in Medicaid family planning programming in order to counteract the federal defunding of Planned Parenthood in Trump’s budget bill. The funding will go towards critical services that many Illinoisans rely on, like contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI)[Read More…]
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