Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Patch breaks down the new energy supplier deal for Orland Park residents and small business owners, and what happens between now and the new supplier plugs in.
Orland Park picked an electricity supplier for its residents and small commercial buildings, and the savings should be seen on August bills, according to the village. Orland Park chose Nordic Energy Services to provide the village’s juice, after a 3-3 tie vote among village board trustees, where Mayor Dan McLaughlin placed the final deciding vote at the May 7 board meeting. Nordic offered a supplying rate of 4.82 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to First Energy Corp. who offered 4.79 cents. That compares to the 7.73 cents paid by Orland Parkers with ComEd now supplying. Those who favored Nordic preferred that they are an Illinois-based company, while others liked Ohio-based First Energy’s greater experience in the supplying realm compared…
Metra riders are prohibited from bringing coffee and will face other restrictions on what they can carry on trains during the NATO summit. Breast milk, however, is OK.
While Chicago gears up for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit at McCormick Place, Metra has stepped up security throughout its rail system, including the Southwest Service and Rock Island lines. From May 19 through May 21, riders will face security screenings and restrictions on what they can carry on to trains while global leaders are in town for the NATO summit, Metra announced Monday. Sign up to receive Patch breaking news alerts. You may also want to ditch the latte. Riders will be prohibited from carrying food or beverages on the train, including coffee. However, breast milk can be carried on a train but is subject to inspection and should be declared if you’re being screened. Riders may also see increased police presence …
Monday, May 14, 2012
The proposed nepotism policy for hires is approved without any changes and little is said about the superintendent search other than it will continue next school year. Read the full meeting blog transcript.
Update, 11:10 p.m., Monday, May 14, 2012 Three amendments added to a seemingly simple Illinois State house bill could cost Orland School District 135 taxpayers more money should it pass. House Speaker Michael Madigan added the amendments to House Bill 3637 on Friday, which would allow the state to tap into the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax to help fill a massive gap in the Teachers Retirement System pension. The move comes after plans have been thrown around the state capital for passing the state’s financial obligation to TRS back on local school districts, which alone could cost D135 taxpayers $8 million more a year. “Not only could more expense be put onto the district now revenue streams are being tapped,” said John …
Metra commuters are looking at a different experience, between station closures and airport-style security restrictions. Use the convenient resources of Patch to plan your commute during NATO week, especially through the summit.
Orland residents who take the train or drive to work in downtown Chicago should be prepared for delays while world leaders convene for the 2012 NATO summit at McCormick Place from May 20 to May 21. For the first time the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will be holding a summit in an American city other than Washington, D.C. In addition to global leaders, over 2,000 journalists and countless demonstrators and activists are expected to inundate the Chicago region. Use the convenience resources of Patch to monitor traffic on the roadways and find the best prices for gas. We'll also post the latest traffic, train or bus delays on the Patch Facebook page, and we invite our readers to do the same. Like Orland Park Patch on Facebook and tell …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
In light of President Barack Obama's recent announcement supporting gay marriage and a story that has generated a lot of chatter, we want to hear what you think. Take a moment to vote in our poll.
It's no secret that President Barack Obama has proclaimed his support for same-sex marriage. It was a move—one made during an interview with ABC News that aired in part on Wednesday—that conjured a mixed reaction from those in the Southland. READ: Taking Heart and Umbrage at Obama's Stance on Same-Sex Marriage Chicago Heights resident Zhenya Krassitchkova said the proclamation was like a "breath of fresh air for the gay community." The 29-year-old entered into a civil union with her longtime girlfriend, Marina Bassett, almost one year ago when Illinois became the sixth state in the United States to issue licenses joining any two non-married adults. U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. also applauded Obama's announcement. "I want to congratulate …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Southland residents reacted Thursday—some positively, some negatively—to President Obama's public support for gay marriage. What do you think?
President Barack Obama's public backing of gay marriage met a mixed reaction Thursday in the south suburbs. Obama said during a recent ABC news interview that he personally supports same-sex marriage, noting that he "already made a decision that we were going to take this position before the election and before the convention." In doing so, he became the first sitting president to publicly support the union. "I've just concluded that, for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," Obama told ABC's Good Morning America. Chicago Heights resident Zhenya Krassitchkova said the proclamation was like a "breath of fresh air for the gay community." "It's obviously …
The Village of Orland Park recently sent out its spring update on various actions, efforts and decisions.
Orland Park's spring newsletter is available in digital format here on Orland Park Patch.com. Want the news delivered? Sign up for our Orland Park daily e-mail newsletter. Like us on Facebook
Monday, May 7, 2012
Due to some unforeseen news, the live blog from tonight's Orland Park Village Board meeting won't be held.
Update, 1:25 p.m., Monday, May 7 The live blog for this evening is cancelled. We will aim to update on the meeting's business later in the week. I apologize for any inconvenience. The Orland Park Village Board will hear a report regarding electricity rates, after a referendum vote in March opened up the village to hear outside bids on electricity supply. During Monday night’s meeting a presentation on a recent community survey is also expected. Read on for more information on electricity aggregation. The village’s finance, technology and parks and recreation committees will also be meeting Monday night. Attached are media packets and an agenda for what will be discussed tonight. Leading up to the meeting, let me know if there's anything …
Friday, May 4, 2012
The district released their official summary of the last year, presented here in digital form.
The Orland Fire Protection District's official summation of 2011, including response times, call volume and types, and budget information. Looking for more fire stories? Want the news delivered? Sign up for our daily email newsletter. Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Announced Monday by County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, such a move would be a way for the county to push the cost of services onto local towns as they annex the land.
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Monday, April 30
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is calling for the elimination of all unincorporated areas in the coming years in order to relieve the county's strained financial resources. Under the proposal, nearby municipalities would annex the county's 62 square miles of unincorporated land, leaving towns and villages to pick up the cost for services such as police protection and code enforcement. Preckwinkle appointed a task force in November 2011 to investigate the provision of services to unincorporated Cook County, as well as the associated costs. The study was completed and results were announced during a press conference Monday morning. According to Preckwinkle, recent budget reviews have shown that providing "municipal-type" …
Jason
12:02 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
That's wonderful, now only if they could vote and fix the outrageous property tax bill situation. I bought my home in Orland Park in mid-2008 for about $260,000. Fast forward not even four years, the home dropped to $230,000 (down $30,000 on paper) and my property taxes went from $5200 to $8000. Complete scam. more ›