Bill Kissinger

Recent Articles

  • IL transportation officials says be smart, pay attention driving in snow

    CHICAGO — If you’re driving in the snow, state transportation officials say be smart and stay focused. Illinois State police commanders describe the fatal accidents they’ve seen,  often times the result of distracted driving in dangerous winter conditions. “Together we are reminded that safety is everyone’s responsibility,”  says Hiram White, manager of IDOT operations. “This winter, plan ahead. If the weather is bad, ask yourself ‘is this trip necessary?'” The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Tollway Authority, state police and […]

  • New $20M community sports complex opens in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood

    CHICAGO — A big new community sports center is now open on the city’s Far South Side, and many are many are hoping it can become an anchor for the region. The $20 million Pullman Community Center at 103rd and Woodlawn is the largest indoor sports, education and community center in the Chicago area. The 135,000 square foot facility has three indoor, regulation size, synthetic turf playing fields, three hardwood courts, and year-round, organized ‘after-school’ and day-off recreation and education programs […]

  • 2 men sue over nightclub beating, claim CPD ‘code of silence’

    CHICAGO — Two men who say they were severely beaten by an off-duty Chicago police sergeant and an Oak Park cop outside a North Side bar have filed suit in over the incident. The victims say the two officers are being protected by a police “code of silence.” The civil complaint was being filed in circuit court against four men accused of brutally beating the two at a night club in the Andersonville neighborhood in September. John Sherwood suffered a […]

  • Lombard woman mourns loss of brothers in synagogue massacre

    LOMBARD, Ill. — A west suburban woman lost two brothers in Saturday’s synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh. Cecil and David Rosenthal were volunteer greeters at the Tree of Life synagogue. The developmentally disabled brothers were shot to death by a man who stormed the building during the Sabbath. The brothers’ sister, Diane Rosenthal Hirt, lives in Lombard. Hirt and her family are members of Congregation Etz Chaim. Cecil and David’s funerals were being held Tuesday in Pittsburgh. A total of 11 […]

  • Families’ first college students vie for admission, scholarships

    CHICAGO — Nearly 1,000 Chicago high school students turned out at McCormick Place Tuesday to interview for 185 of the country’s most selective colleges and universities. The students were offered admissions and scholarships on the spot at the Chicago Scholars Onsite Admissions Forum. The students at Tuesday’s forum are the first people in their families to attend college. Last year, more than 2,000 offers of admission and $64 million in merit aid were awarded.

  • State committee examines mental health issues facing first responders

    CHICAGO — Illinois lawmakers are looking at ways to help first responders cope with the pressures of the job. A state committee hearing Wednesday follows a rash of suicides by Chicago police officers. Witnesses testified that many police officers, firefighters and paramedics who suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts internalize their feelings. The head of Chicago’s police union, Keven Graham, said stress can lead to suicide. Experts say more resources for first responders are needed for counseling and other treatment. […]

  • Chicago police investigate string of North Side carjackings

    CHICAGO — Police are looking for suspects in a string of armed robberies and carjackings on the city’s North Side. Police say there were four incidents this week: in the 1400 block of West Sunnyside on Oct. 1 around 10:30 p.m.;  in the 2900 block of North Paulina on Oct. 3  around 9:45 p.m.; 3600 block of North Greenview on Oct. 3 around 10 p.m.; and in the 2300 block of West Waveland on Oct. 3 around 11:45 p.m. In […]

  • New ‘Smart911’ system in place in Chicago

    CHICAGO — The City of Chicago is making upgrades to the 911 system to help police, fire crews and paramedics improve emergency responses. “Smart911” allows people to provide personal, medical, or situational information when they call 9-1-1 to help first responders better assist in an emergency. 911 operators will also be able to initiate texts with residents and visitors who may be deaf, hard of hearing or unable to talk. For more information, go to: www.smart911.com

  • Mosquito population way up in the Chicago area

    LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. — If you’ve been getting bitten a lot by mosquitoes this season, there’s good reason. Officials said the mosquito population in the Chicago area is high for this time of year. Experts said heavy rains around Labor Day,  followed by high temperatures, produced a higher-than-normal amount of mosquitos in recent weeks. Floodwater mosquitos are known to be aggressive but do not carry the West Nile Virus that sickened people and lead to deaths. The mosquito population is expected […]

  • Grandfather dies days after saving 7-year-old grandson from house fire

    CHICAGO — A man who saved his grandson from a house fire has died from injuries he suffered in the fire. The fire broke out Sept. 9 in a coach house at 100th St. and Avenue L on the city’s Southeast Side. As the flames and thick smoke filled the home, 69-year-old Apolonia Castellano removed a window and dropped his 7-year-old grandson into the hands of two police officers The boy was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital where he was […]