When it comes to property taxes in Cook County, a lot of people feel like they’re staring at a 1,000-piece puzzle — and someone hid the box with the picture on the cover. That’s why I want to tell you about a tool that helps you see the full picture:[Read More…]
Opinion
Commentary: Musician’s sax talks at local board meetings
Local government board meetings can be thrilling or tedious, but they aren’t often melodic. Since early spring, several Homewood and Flossmoor boards have been treated regularly to musical interludes courtesy of Adam Rogers. The soft spoken Rogers rarely says a word during public comment portions of meetings. He lets his[Read More…]
Letter: County clerk says community engagement can help reduce gun violence
To the Editor: Summer in Chicagoland is a season of block parties, baseball games, and time spent with family and neighbors. But for too many families, it is also a season marked by anxiety as gun violence rises in our communities. Growing up on Chicago’s West Side, I saw firsthand[Read More…]
Commentary: For 250th Fourth of July, celebrate resistance
This year, the Fourth of July celebration marks the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. There is much to celebrate, but for me, it’s time to reconsider what to celebrate. Tradition calls for celebrating independence and freedom from tyranny. For those who follow the news, or who study U.S. history,[Read More…]
Column: The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes
Every year, my office hears from thousands of homeowners who run into problems with their property taxes due to common errors. Here are the five most common mistakes homeowners make and what you can do to avoid them. Paying the Same Bill Twice This happens more often than you might[Read More…]
Mobility Matters: Villages work to improve pedestrian safety; legislation pending on speeders, e-bikes
Everybody who walks has probably had the experience of standing on the corner waiting for an opening in traffic to safely cross — and nobody stops. In many cases, drivers probably just don’t notice pedestrians (in some cases, they might not care) because they are focused on getting where they[Read More…]
Commentary: Two books show the power of neighborliness
Social media, once touted as the magically amazing way to connect everyone to everyone and usher in an age of blissful community, has turned out to be somewhat shy of the mark. For those who are frustrated with doomscrolling, partisan bots, scams and cyberbullies, a new book coming out this[Read More…]
Commentary: CERT program adds new layer to community safety
In an emergency, there are often more people in need of help than first responders can get to quickly. In times of no emergency, there’s often need for people to help support public events like festivals or community clean-up days. That’s where CERT comes in. Homewood is in the process[Read More…]
Letter: We Are Somebody: A Legacy of Volunteering
Volunteering has long been a defining thread in a healthy community. At its core, the word volunteer comes from the Latin voluntarius, meaning “of one’s free will.” A volunteer is someone who makes a willing offering of themselves — their time, talent, and treasure — for the good of others.[Read More…]
Commentary | Another lesson: Seeing our own blind spots
It’s always best to lead by example, and so I’m glad to be able to make an example of myself, with the help of a reader who called out my recent call-out. Last month, I urged the Village of Homewood and the Homewood Police Department to treat a social media[Read More…]
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