Thursday, May 23, 2013
70 mph on rural interstates not a done deal yet, as bill has its opponents.
By Steven Jack A bill to increase the maximum speed limit in Illinois could hit Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk for signature soon. Whether Quinn will sign it remains to be seen. The bill, introduced by Republican State. Sen. Jim Oberweis, would raise the speed limit on rural Illinois highways to 70 mph. The bill, which has passed both chambers of the state legislature, has been met with opposition due to safety concerns by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to the Chicago Tribune. “The progression of this legislation is a good example of what can be accomplished when lawmakers work together in a bipartisan manner for the good of our state,” Oberweis said. “It …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The bill, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), would prohibit all teens 17 and younger from using UV tanning beds.
By Amanda Luevano Legislation to ban minors from indoor tanning beds was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday after being approved by the Illinois Senate. House Bill 188, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), would ban Illinois minors age 17 and younger from UV tanning beds. Currently, minors ages 14 to 17 are allowed to tan if they provide a parent's signature. Spray-on tanning is exempt from the legislation, as is phototherapy, which applies to situations where a physician supervises tanning when it is necessary to treat a medical condition. Radogno said in a press release that she sponsored the bill to protect Illinois minors from the serious health risks involved with indoor tanning beds. “Not only do children …
Monday, May 20, 2013
Former trustee Tom Phelan claims full responsibility for authoring memo "offering advice and recommendations" on appointed village commissioners loyal to former mayor.
A list containing the names of those serving on various Village of Oak Lawn commissions and committees drafted by a former trustee has emerged on an anonymous blog. The “hit list” was alluded to during the special board meeting last month, in which a quorum of village board members approved 3-0 an ethics ordinance barring the hiring or appointment of ex-elected officials by the village for two years after they leave office. “There are a lot of rumors going around the village about political retribution, against not only me, but also employees, commission members and volunteers. We’ve all heard that hit list has been made and people who supported the losing candidates are going to be replaced,” the ordinance’s sponsor, Trustee Bob Streit (…
Friday, May 17, 2013
Passed by a 35-21 vote, the bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn, who has not yet said whether he intends to sign it.
By a vote of 35-21, the Illinois Senate approved legislation on Friday that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe marijuana as pain relief for severe medical conditions. The bill now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature. According to the Chicago Tribune, the bill covers 33 specific conditions—including multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV infection—and includes several controls, with a four-year trial program, dosage limits, fingerprinting, background checks and licensed dispensing centers. “This bill is filled with walls to keep this limited,” the paper quoted sponsoring Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), who urged lawmakers to pass the legislation as a compassionate measure for those suffering with extreme pain. In opposition, Sen. …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Bridal store owners say they were about to ink lucrative lease agreement, but village manager steered prospective tenant to another location.
The owner of an Oak Lawn bridal shop is claiming that the village manager interfered with a $5 million lease agreement by steering the prospective tenant to another vacant storefront up the street. The newly inducted village board approved parking and landscape variances for JenCare to open one of its senior neighborhood medical centers in the old Men’s Wearhouse space at 6101 W. 95th St., based on a referral from the Oak Lawn Planning and Development commission. Sign up for the Oak Lawn Patch newsletter and follow us on Facebook. Attorney Michael Balourdos representing the owner of House of Brides was ready to close on a seven-year lease with the senior medical care provider to rent the Oak Lawn bridal store at 5433 W. 95th St. When …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Dr. Sandra Bury gets sworn in as Oak Lawn Mayor, passes ordinance creating an ethics and legislative committee.
Taking the oath of office in a resolute voice, Dr. Sandra Bury was sworn in as the new village president of Oak Lawn, bringing a bitter end to the Unity Party-years that often resembled a bad reality TV show instead with board members constant bickering. Sign up for the Oak Lawn Patch newsletter and follow us on Facebook. The new village elected officials took their oaths after sweeping into office last month, beating a two-term mayor and his slate of unknowns. Former Mayor Dave Heilmann was a no-show for the transfer of power to his successor and four new trustees. Trustee Carol Quinlan (Dist. 5) had mentioned at the last village board meeting that she would be out of town on business for Tuesday’s swearing in. No explanation was offered …
Families and supporters pack Oak Lawn Village Hall to watch the changing of the guard.
There was a lot of swearing at Tuesday's meeting of the Oak Lawn Village Board -- swearing in that is. New trustees were seated after being administered their oaths of office by fellow Oak Lawn resident and Cook County Judge Denise K. Filan. Jane Quinlan held her mother's hand as she was sworn into her third term as the village clerk. Sign up for Oak Lawn Patch breaking news alerts and follow us on Facebook. Terry Vorderer said becoming the fourth district trustee and sitting on the dais was the "culimination of a dream" after his many years of watching village board meetings as an Oak Lawn police officer. During one of the oaths, Alex Olejniczak, had to correct Filan when she attempted to swear him in as the Dist. 1 trustee. "You mean …
Hundreds attend Oak Lawn town hall meeting hosted by U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski on May 11.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Out with the old, in with the new, village board members will change seats and get down to business.
A new era in Oak Lawn begins as the village’s first woman to be elected mayor takes her oath of office at tonight’s (Tuesday’s) regular village board meeting. Cook County Judge Denise K. Filan will administer the oath of office to the new village board members, including political novice Dr. Sandra Bury, who beat two-term incumbent Mayor Dave Heilmann last month. Sign up for the Oak Lawn Patch newsletter and follow us on Facebook. In their last action together as a village board, the Heilmann and outgoing trustees Cindy Trautsch (Dist. 1), Tom Duhig (Dist. 4) and Tom Phelan (Dist. 6) will approve the minutes from last month’s regular and special village board meetings. Room has been left on tonight’s agenda for remarks from the outgoing …
Monday, May 13, 2013
Homes and businesses affected by last month's flooding and winds may qualify for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Federal assistance may be on the way for local residents and businesses hit by last month’s flooding. Congressman Dan Lipinski announced Monday that constituents of Illinois’s Third District residing in Will, DuPage and Cook counties are now eligible to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lipinski was part of an Illinois delegation urging President Obama to back the governor’s request for federal aid following torrential rainstorms and straight-line winds that damaged homes and businesses across the state. Last Friday, the president signed a disaster declaration offering federal aid. The declaration covers those affected by the severe storms and winds between April 16 and May 5. Those applying for federal …
Bob Laird
1:42 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013
294 down south is still 55, but if you don't do at least 70 you'll get passed and flipped off by little old ladies in Yugos. more ›