Politics

409 Politics & Government Two teachers were among the 21 people killed in a mass shooting Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Jonah Meadows , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Replies ILLINOIS — In the wake of the fatal shooting of more than a dozen students and a pair of teachers at a Texas elementary school, unions representing teachers in Illinois called for collective action to end gun violence in schools. Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery noted in a statement that it has been just 10 days since the nation grieved another mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. "There are no words to help the families through this tragedy. The unimaginable continues to happen in our schools where teachers, students, and parents should feel safe," Montgomery said. "We feel, too, for the educators and school staff who must cope with their own shock, grief, and fear to help their students, … [Read more...] about Illinois Teachers Unions Respond To Texas School Shooting

0 Politics & Government "The letter canceling my service on the commission was completely unexpected," Glenn Kraemer said. Richard Free Press , News Partner Posted Reply By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press : ORLAND PARK, Ill. – For the time being, Glenn Kraemer is still a fire commissioner for the Orland Fire Protection District. No action was taken at the OFPD Board of Trustees meeting to appoint a new commissioner in his place on Tuesday, May 24, nor was Kraemer reappointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners – a position for which he has served since 2018. Kraemer, however, addressed the Board of Trustees during the public comments portion of the meeting. "It has been an honor to provide a service to the hardworking members of the district," he said. But Kraemer said he received a letter from the OFPD on April 27 stating that he would no longer be a fire commissioner, as his term was not renewed. He … [Read more...] about No Action Taken On OFPD Board Of Fire Commission Member In Limbo Over Lack Of Reappointment

4 Politics & Government According to Glenn Kraemer, one of three fire commissioners, board members will not tell him why he won't be reappointed for another term. Eileen O'Gorman , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Replies ORLAND PARK, IL — One of three fire commissioners for the Orland Fire Protection District will not be reappointed to another term, according to the OPFD board. Now, Glenn Kraemer told trustees he wants to know why. Kraemer has served on the Board of Fire Commissioners, an appointed position that reviews issues regarding firefighters, since 2018. Commissioners are given about $1,650 each year for their service. According to him, he received a letter from the district last month which notified him that he would not be renewed for a second term followed by another letter that asked him to continue as a commissioner until the board can appoint a replacement. "This decision was disappointing and … [Read more...] about Orland Fire Commissioner Asks Board Why He Will Not Be Reappointed

3 Politics & Government An argument during a board meeting led to Diane Galante being voted 4-1 out of the room. Mayor Glotz said her actions were 'embarrassing.' Eileen O'Gorman , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Replies TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park Trustee Diane Galante told Patch she will continue to attend and serve at Board of Trustee meetings after an argument at a board meeting last week led to Galante being removed from the chambers. During the May 17 meeting, Mayor Mike Glotz called for a motion to remove the first-term trustee after an argument which began when he said Galante filed a false police report against him. The motion carried at a vote of 4-1 with Galante voting to remain at the meeting. WATCH HERE: Village Board Meeting - board comments begin at 1:13:43. The argument started during the board comment section of the meeting when Glotz referenced a police report Galante filed following an … [Read more...] about ‘I Won’t Quit’: Tinley Park Trustee Kicked Out Of Meeting Plans Return

2 Politics & Government Mayor Michael Glotz asked for a motion to remove Trustee Diane Galante from the May 17 meeting. Richard Free Press , News Partner Posted Replies By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press : TINLEY PARK, Ill. — An argument during the board comments portion of the Village of Tinley Park Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, May 17, led to the removal of one of the board members from the room. Mayor Michael Glotz asked for a motion to remove Trustee Diane Galante from the meeting, and the trustees voted 4-1 in favor of removing Galante. She cast the lone dissenting ballot, and Trustee William Brady was absent. The argument stemmed from comments Glotz made to the board members stating that Galante — with whom he has been engaged in a feud for more than a year — had filed a "false" police report against him accusing him of harassing her at the April 5 board meeting. Glotz said the police report, … [Read more...] about Argument Between Board Members Leads To Tinley Park Trustee’s Ouster From Meeting

0 Politics & Government During Karen Danczak Lyon's decade as executive director, the Evanston Public Library opened one new branch and closed two others. Jonah Meadows , Patch Staff Posted Reply EVANSTON, IL — The trustees appointed to oversee the Evanston Public Library plan to launch a nationwide search for a new chief executive in light of the impending resignation of Executive Director Karen Danczak Lyons. Danczak Lyons has spent the last decade in charge of the city's library system. During that time, the library "adopted a new vision and business model," according to a release announcing her retirement, effective June 17. The library's new vision has included hiring a social worker, lending out WiFi hotspots and job search kits and expanding online services, according to the release. EPL has also created new positions designed to engage underrepresented communities, adopted an equity statement and … [Read more...] about Karen Danczak Lyons To Step Down As Evanston Library Director In June

0 Politics & Government The village blames a nearby quarry for flooding on the south side. David Giuliani , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange is within two months of its planned trial over litigation with a nearby quarry blamed for local flooding. Hanson Aggregates Quarry in McCook and La Grange are expected to see each other in Cook County Circuit Court starting July 18. "Now, it will be up to the judge to decide," Village President Mark Kuchler said at Monday's Village Board meeting. "Our attorneys are working hard. They are truly moving into the sprint phase." In the next couple of weeks, the village's former engineer will undergo a deposition and the village will answer a subpoena for documents, Kuchler said. As for the subpoena, the village plans to also post the released records on its website, he said. "Years ago, we had a plan to build a sewer down 50th that … [Read more...] about ‘Sprint’ Toward La Grange Flooding Trial

5 Politics & Government Two neighbors north of 47th Street say the village has done nothing to solve their issues. The village's leader responds. David Giuliani , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Replies LA GRANGE, IL – Much of the focus on flooding in La Grange is south of 47th Street. But residents in the blocks north of 47th also have issues. At Monday's Village Board meeting, two residents in the 100 block of Sunset Avenue said they were frustrated with the village. They said the local government has taken no action to solve their neighborhood's drainage problems. Resident Laura West moved to Sunset three years ago, buying her childhood home from her parents. When she was growing up, flooding was a major problem every eight to 10 years, she said. That compares to at least six times since she returned. "I feel very disappointed and frustrated," West said. "The backed-up water submerges our garage, reaches … [Read more...] about Frustration With La Grange Flooding Efforts: Residents

1 Politics & Government "Do not tell me that teachers must be armed. And do not tell me your AR15 is worth more than another 14 children's lives," Phillips tweeted. Jason Addy , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply MINNESOTA — U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips on Wednesday said the frequency of mass shootings in America is an " epidemic of violence " and called on lawmakers to pass stricter regulations on gun ownership after an 18-year-old gunman killed 21 people in a classroom in Texas. The gunman shot and killed 19 students and two adults Tuesday inside a single fourth-grade classroom at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, about 85 miles west of San Antonio, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson told NBC's "The Today Show" on Wednesday. Police eventually broke into the classroom the gunman barricaded himself in and killed him, Lt. Chris Olivarez said. "We dedicate over $800 billion annually, more … [Read more...] about MN Rep. Phillips Backs Stricter Gun Laws After Texas School Shooting

On Thursday Hillary Clinton tweeted a deceptive gun violence chart and added text suggesting, “It’s the Guns” causing crimes. Clinton’s text: It's the guns. pic.twitter.com/AzTZEe88TB — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 26, 2022 The chart, published by VOX, is from Gun Policy. It shows the U.S. vs. its “peers,” a category which appears to consist of “high income” countries. Limiting the comparison of the U.S. and other countries on the basis of this one category allows gun control proponents to sidestep the opportunity to contrast the U.S. and its next-door neighbor, Mexico. (On August 17, 2016, Breitbart News reported that although Mexico had  “restrictive” gun control — including comprehensive background checks — it still had a homicide rate over five times higher than the rate in the U.S.) Additionally, if you abandon the limited comparison of “high income” countries and simply look at gun violence around the world on a per-capita basis, it is quickly … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Shares Deceptive Chart: ‘It’s the Guns’ Causing Crimes