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 Village of Orland Park hosted an informational meeting about the LaGrange Road widening scheduled for this summer. Read our live blog transcript from the meeting.
Orland Park held a meeting Tuesday with the Illinois Department of Transportation about the LaGrange Road widening project scheduled for this summer. Read our blog transcript from the meeting for information about the construction plan. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join Patch! Create a free user account and join the discussion about the future of the area. You'll be subscribed to the free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. Orland Park / Palos / Tinley Park Like Orland Park Patch, Palos Patch and Tinley Park Patch on Facebook.
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
The Orland Park Village Board will discussed a new pricing plan for the trash hauling contract Monday night. Read our live blog transcript of the meeting.
Update Orland Park is scheduled to make a final vote in June on a new waste hauling contract that could include lower prices for the first two years of service in a proposed 10-year contract. A new pricing plan from Waste Management was presented during Monday night's public works committee meeting that included a starting rate of $18.58 per month for waste and recycling hauling. The village's current rate is $19.40. The pricing plan has the monthly rate going higher than $19.40 in its third year, though the overall changes to prices for Waste Management's new contract over 10 years is $1,821,908 lower than the pricing plan presented in early January, according to village documents. The new waste hauling contract also includes recycling …
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. …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Homes and businesses affected by last month's flooding and winds may qualify for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Reported by Patch editor Lorraine Swanson 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…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Illinois state officials, non-profit administrators and union representatives will offer perspectives during the Illinois Pension Forum starting 4:30 p.m. Monday at Century Junior High in Orland Park. Join us for our live blog and weigh in.
Editor's Note: The live blog had to be cancelled due to a lack of any usable Internet connection at the location. I took copious notes, however, and I'll still be posting a recap. I'll add the link here once it is done. Thanks and sorry. A forum on Illinois pension issues will be held 4:30 p.m. Monday at Century Junior High, 10801 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. The following people are scheduled to speak: Join us for our live blog and offer your own thoughts on the points discussed. Orland Park Patch’s live blog through Cover It Live will provide minute-by-minute updates from the meeting on this page starting at 4:30 p.m. Look in the Cover It Live window above, and you’ll see an area where you can join in and offer your comments and …
Sunday, May 12, 2013
State legislators, union reps, administrators and others will be on hand to answer your questions about the Illinois state pension situation Monday afternoon in Orland Park.
Come to Century Junior High at 10801 W. 159th St. for a pension forum starting 4:30 p.m. Bring your questions about the state pension situation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join Patch! Create a free user account and join the discussion about the future of the area. You'll be subscribed to the free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. Orland Park / Palos Like Orland Park Patch and Palos Patch on Facebook.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
The Orland School District 135 Board of Education is now seeking applicants to fill the seventh board seat, vacated when John Carmody resigned in April.
People interested in applying for the open seat on Orland School District 135’s Board of Education can fill out the above form, and submit it by 4 p.m. Friday, May 17 to the Superintendent’s office at 15100 S. 94th Ave. in Orland Park. “Once the applications are received, the Board plans to host an open public forum for the community to ask questions and be a part of the process,” D135 Board President Joe LaMargo said in a release. “Details on the public forum will be released at a later date.” Click on the blue ‘print’ link next to the Scribd logo above the document to get a copy of the application. Looking for more school stories? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There are plenty of ways to keep up on local news:
Thursday, May 9, 2013
A bill that has already passed the Illinois House could pave the way for limited prescriptions of pot.
By Steven Jack Illinois lawmakers may be poised to enact one of the toughest medical marijuana laws in the nation after a Senate Committee moved a bill Wednesday allowing those with a limited list of illness to obtain a prescription for the drug. The bill has passed the Illinois House and Gov. Pat Quinn has said he is open to the proposal,reported the Chicago Tribune. The Senate Committee voted 10-5 even after law enforcement officials objected on the grounds that the bill does not include provisions for driving under the influence of marijuana, the Trib reported. The law would allow patients to obtain 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks. Sixty pot dispensaries would be set up throughout the state. The bill is sponsored by former State…
Tom Foolery
2:49 pm on Friday, May 24, 2013
"The bill also allows for Cook, the collar counties and two counties near St. Louis to opt out of the enhanced speed limit." That means we get the increased penalty with no benefit of increase in speed limit. It's a new tax, folks. So now, if you go the normal 75 on the DanRyan, you are a criminal. Hope the courts are ready. 9/10 of each new bill or law that is passed is probably a new tax, fee, … more ›