Urban and suburban communities can benefit their mental and physical health while simultaneously preserving the natural environment by incorporating green spaces into their infrastructures. Homewood and Flossmoor are two communities that value their green spaces with large parks, golf courses and forest preserves found throughout both towns. While these spaces[Read More…]
Opinion
Column: Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities
State lawmakers have made it easier for people with disabilities to continue receiving property tax relief on an annual basis. Cook County homeowners who receive the Persons with Disabilities Exemption no longer have to reapply for the benefit every year. Lawmakers recently acted to allow the benefit to automatically renew[Read More…]
Letter: Protecting Illinois workers from heat is a hot topic
In most of the nation, all you need to do is to step outside to feel one of Nature’s deadliest hazards: extreme heat. So far in 2024, heat illness has killed 34 workers nationally both indoors and out. In July, the U.S. Department of Labor published of a proposed rule[Read More…]
Half Week | Aug. 11: Residents, village officials work to demystify local government
DEMOCRACY WATCH “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” That view might conflict with the more common assumption that the people’s role in a democracy is to elect leaders who then represent them, then the people go about their business and don’t get in the way of governance more than necessary.[Read More…]
Half Week | July 18: Truck traps, assessment town hall, scenes from sculpture walk and Spotlight show, Chamber Night
Gottschalk-the-Walk postponed Homewood’s chalk art event scheduled for Sunday, July 21, is being postponed, according to Community Engagement Specialist Antonia Urbanski. Complications following Monday’s damaging storm is part of the reason. Village hall was still without power Wednesday afternoon, July 17. Homewood Property Assessment Town Hall Homewood will host a[Read More…]
Paying tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person
Property owners face an Aug. 1 due date to pay their Second Installment 2023 tax bills. Many homeowners authorize their mortgage company to pay their two annual property tax installments from an escrow account. They pay their mortgage company an amount every month to cover the cost of taxes as[Read More…]
Half Week | July 3: Southland Garden walk/ride, park district holiday schedule, 2 history books for the holidays, remembering Alexis Wilson
Garden walk on wheels There is no better way to go on the Southland Community Garden Walk than by bike, according to me. The annual fundraiser sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women South Cook is compact this year, with six of the seven gardens located in Flossmoor. And[Read More…]
Half Week | June 26: Chroniclewear for the 10th, Torch Run video, new bike helmet promotion idea, bike laws
Reporter Supporters buy Chroniclewear Whenever I walk down the street and see someone sporting the colors of their local newspaper on their clothing, I think, “There’s somebody who really knows what’s going on in their town.” Instant respect. Moderate admiration. As part of the Chronicle’s 10th anniversary celebration, we wanted[Read More…]
Half Week | June 21: Thornton Township turmoil, Cicada Shuffle, support Juneteenth Fest, legal cycling
DEMOCRACY WATCH Thornton Township meeting failAmid a tsunami of scandals and lawsuits in Dolton and Thornton Township, Tiffany Henyard continues to have trouble getting the basics of governance right. Josh Bootsma of the Lansing Journal reports this morning that Henyard kept members of the public and the press waiting for more than an hour[Read More…]
Half Week | June 12: Calumet Country Club pivot, Thornton Township turmoil, H-F Steppers camp, youth scientist achievement
Calumet Country Club redevelopment could be pivoting to housing project Golfers are playing rounds at Calumet Country Club this summer, three years after an Arizona developer had hoped to convert the property into a warehousing facility, but his plans are shifting to another use. Owner Walt Brown said he is[Read More…]