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Articles by Rick Hibbert
Pilsen organizations hold business crawl to support businesses impacted by immigration raids
Pilsen “Apoya” Business Crawl participants stop by Pink Flores Bakery and Cafe, which marks its one-year anniversary in September. Co-owner Andrea Melendez indicated last year that she wasn’t sure how much of her struggles were part of being a small business getting off the ground and how much of it was due to ICE raids. (Photo by Igor Studenkov/for Chronicle Media) On the weekend of Aug.
In Chicago’s Little Village, local service provider provides multifaceted mental health support
Enlace Chicago headquarters in Little Village. (Photo by Igor Studenkov/for Chronicle Media) Enlace Chicago community advocacy and service organization works in Little Village — a working-class, predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood. Many of the residents they serve are working long hours, sometimes working several jobs, to make ends meet.
Burr Ridge’s Cathy Richardson and Jefferson Starship to land in Peoria
Burr Ridge resident Cathy Richardson and Jefferson Starship will be performing at Prairie Home Alliance Theater in the Peoria Civic Center on Thursday, Sept. 10. (Photo by Kevin Baldes) Fueled by a new streaming single, “Jetpack” and with plans for a new album in 2027, rock stalwarts Jefferson Starship, led by powerhouse vocalist/guitarist and Burr Ridge native Cathy Richardson since 2008, will perform at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater in the Peoria Civic Center on Thursday, Sept. 10.
REO’s Richrath gets Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nod
Gary Richrath (1982 Epic Press photo) The late Gary Richrath, an East Peorian and guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer for the rock group REO Speedwagon from 1970-89, will be inducted into the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Chicago on Sept. 27. The announcement was made Wednesday, April 8 by museum founder Ron Romero during an interview and podcast recorded for Chronicle Media publications. The article and a link to the podcast will be published soon.
West Suburban Hospital ‘temporarily’ closing down patient care
West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park announced Wednesday it is closing ‘temporarilly.’ (West Suburban Hospital Facebook photo) West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park announced Wednesday, March 25, it is “temporarily” closing in-patient care and its emergency room and is furloughing staff due to a lack of financial resources. The closures impact both the main medical center campus on Austin Boulevard at Erie Street and the office campus on Lake Street in River Forest.
Davis denounces attack ad by crypto PAC on Ford in 7th Congress primary
U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-7th, speaks at his campaign offices Thursday, Feb. 19, responding to attack ads on television aimed at State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, whom Davis has endorsed for Congress. (Photo by Bill Dwyer/for Chronicle Media) Congressman Danny K. Davis came out swinging against what he termed a “scurrilous” attack ad by crypto currency interests against 7th Congressional Democratic primary candidate LaShawn Ford for his supporting state legislation imposing regulations on that industry.
Chicago area transit agencies approve budget
With the state transit bill passed, CTA, Metra and Pace have approved budgets without fare increases, no layoffs and some potential service expansions, especially in the suburbs. Under the Chicagoland transit agency structure that will remain in place until September 2026, individual transit agencies develop their own budgets, but Regional Transportation Authority sets the parameters for how much funding each agency has to work with, and signs off on the budgets the agency develops.
McPike Mansion Tour offers bone-chillingly good time
It might seem like psychic medium Missy Nichols is literally coming out of the woodwork at the famed McPike Mansion this season. It’s been nine years since The Fortune Teller’s Cellar’s Nichols has offered a tour at the grandest of Alton, Illinois’ purportedly many haunted properties and spooky spots. This year she is bringing back the Speaking with the Spirits of the McPike Mansion Tour. “The McPike Mansion is known to be one of most haunted places in the world,” said Nichols, of Alton.
Over Pritzker’s objections, Trump sending 300 National Guardsmen to Chicago, governor says
CHICAGO — After weeks of threatening to do so, President Donald Trump is taking command of 300 Illinois National Guard troops and sending them to Chicago over Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s objections, the governor announced Saturday. “This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will,” Pritzker said in a statement.
Chicago police oversight body finalizes position on traffic stop reform
Any changes to the Chicago Police Department traffic stop policy are still at least a few months off. But the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, a public safety oversight body that must be involved in any major police policy change, has at least settled on how it will approach some of the most controversial issues.
New Coors fundraising campaign looks to bring money, volunteers to underserved Chicago neighborhoods
Molson Coors drink and brewing company, which has been based in Chicago since 2019, is trying to give back to the city by raising money for organizations that work to bring resources and opportunities to communities that haven’t seen much investment. The Cheers to Our Neighborhoods campaign, which kicked off in late June, is made up of two components — a fundraising campaign and community volunteering.
Vietnam-era Strike Assault Boat to be displayed at Grafton Visitors Center
A powerful relic from the past will be on display at the Grafton Visitors Center prior to becoming a permanent installment at the National Monument of Military Ascent in the Illinois town at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. A Strike Assault Boat from Vietnam, made at the Grafton Boatworks Co. was discovered and restored as a memorial to the men who fought and died on the vessel.
Home/museum honors Miles Davis’ life, times
Stay cool this summer with a visit to jazz great Miles Davis’ childhood home, now the House of Miles East Saint Louis (HOME), founded by the nonprofit of the same name. The comprehensive museum, which also serves as a youth education center, at 1701 Kansas Ave. in East St. Louis, Illinois, honors the life and times of Davis, known for the “Birth of Cool.” Tours are by appointment at www.houseofmilesestl.com. The nonprofit acquired the Davis property in 2011.
Comic art comes alive with ‘Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains’ exhibit
Fans of the Marvel and DC comics universe are in for a treat with “Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains,” a massive exhibition of the celebrated artist’s work and the first to be held in the newly expanded 3,000-square-foot East gallery of the Dunn Museum, in Libertyville. The exhibit, featuring more than 100 portraits and life-sized murals of iconic comic characters painted by Ross, as well as three new works runs through Feb. 16, 2026.
Park Ridge author reveals true genesis of ‘Meet the Parents’ movie franchise
The David versus Goliath story appeals to many people. The humble, little guy with a slingshot not only stands up to the arrogant, big guy with a sword, but also defeats him in decisive fashion. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. Especially in Hollywood where who you know is often more important than what you know. Indie film producer and former Park Ridge resident Greg Glienna and co-writer Mary Ruth Clarke found this out the hard way.
Master Gardener program marks 50 years of community impact
The University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener program is marking five decades of impact with a series of special regional gardening celebrations, including a July 22 “Golden Garden Days” event held at OSF St. Ann’s Garden of Hope in south Peoria.
Pace makes service improvements in suburban Cook, DuPage counties permanent
Pace board of directors voted unanimously on July 16 to make the service improvements that debuted last August permanent. The changes first approved on Aug. 14, 2024, affected west suburban routes 330 and 331, and the four commuter express routes that use I-55/Stevenson expressway to shuttle workers from southwest suburbs to Chicago. Routes 330 and 331 more off-peak, evening and weekend service, and Rout 331 got Sunday service for the first time.
Chicago West Side workforce development center opens
As Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, the new workforce development and social services hub at the heart of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, opened on Juneteenth, June 19, elected officials and leaders of nonprofit organizations didn’t shy away from the controversial decision the city made over a decade ago that paved the way it. Emmet Elementary School at 5000 W.
Prep clay target league booms in popularity
With virtually none of the media fanfare associated with Illinois high school basketball or football championships, 1,188 students from 74 Illinois high school clay target shooting teams gathered in rural Bunker Hill in Macoupin County May 31 and June 1 for the Illinois State High School Trap Championship.
Owner of local construction firm, promotes local artists and joiners
A “joiner” is sometimes defined as a person who specializes in the art of fine woodworking, specifically someone adept at joining pieces of wood together, like in furniture making. The term may be more commonly referred to as someone who enjoys joining and supporting groups or campaigns. Chuck Gabbert, a woodworker and local arts lover who owns C.T. Gabbert Remodeling and Construction in Peoria, is both.
Alderman, immigrant rights advocates respond to ICE raids in Chicago
Two incidents where U.S. Immigration and Customs agents allegedly detained immigrants without warrants loomed large over the regularly scheduled 25th Ward community meeting, which was held on June 5 at Irma C. Ruiz Elementary School, 2410 S. Leavitt St. The ward includes Pilsen and a portion of Little Village — two long-time Mexican-American neighborhoods. Ald.
Peoria County losing a legal resource
Federal budget cuts directed by President Donald Trump’s Department of Governmental Efficiency means that residents will soon lose the services of the Peoria County 10th Judicial Circuit Courthouse Law Library and Self-Help Center’s public assistant, who is provided free to taxpayers by AmeriCorps. The cut is part of DOGE’s reported cancellation of nearly $400 million in AmeriCorps grants, affecting thousands of volunteers and organizations.
Family, elected officials celebrate Chicago centenarian
In the late 1930s, Baldomero Chavez followed the path of many young men from Mexico and came to United States looking for work. After spending a few years in Texas and Tennessee, he moved to Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood in 1958. He married his wife, Graciela, in 1961, and the couple put down roots in Pilsen, raising five children in a two-story house on 21st Street where they live to this day.
Little Feat still letting it roll
The last time veteran rock-funk-folk-jazz-country-swamp boogie band Little Feat played in the Peoria area, during the 2022 Summer Camp Music Festival, the group of seasoned musicians and road warriors offered a song-by-song recreation of their epic live album, “Waiting for Columbus,” the 1978 platinum-selling double disc that introduced FM radio listeners to seminal classics such as “Dixie Chicken,” “Willin’,” and “Time Loves A Hero.” Fast-forwarding to 2025, “Feat,” as the group is known to...
Pace board looks to expand bus service in collar counties
If the state of Illinois comes through with the extra transit funding, the Pace suburban bus agency plans to use most of the money to add new routes in the areas that don’t have much bus service — something that would primarily benefit the collar counties. During the March 19 meeting of the Pace Board of Directors, the agency got an update on the ongoing ReVision bus network restructuring plan.
Oversight body divided on proposed new Chicago police traffic stop policy
As the Chicago Police Department unveiled the first draft of the new traffic stop policy, the majority of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability agreed that some of those changes don’t go far enough. But they were divided, sometimes sharply, on exactly what kind of changes they would like to see.
Vasquez appointed to 8th District County Board seat
Cook County Democratic Party officials picked Jessica Vasquez, former chief of staff for the then-35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa, to succeed Anthony Joel Quezada as Cook County Commissioner for Chicago Northwest Side’s 8th District. This means that, for the first time in history, women make up the majority of the County Board. The seat became vacant after Ramirez Rosa was appointed CEO of Chicago Park District and Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed Quezada in his place.
Hermosa Belmont-Cragin Chamber looks to bring customers to Chicago’s Northwest Side
Two years ago, Hermosa Belmont-Cragin Chamber of Commerce founder Melissa Quintana had no idea what a chamber of commerce was. She simply knew that other Chicago communities had events, beautiful street art and vibrant business districts. Belmont-Cragin, the Northwest Side community where she lived most of her life, deserved no less. So, she did some research and realized that much of what she saw came from strong neighborhood chambers of commerce.
National Public Housing Museum aims to transcend stereotypes, encourage reform
It took almost three decades, but the National Public Housing Museum officially opened to the public on April 4. Located in the only surviving building from the Jane Addams Homes public housing development in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood, at 919 S.
Chicago Northwest Side community groups to weigh in on new Cook County Commissioner pick
A group of Democratic Party committeepersons is putting a new twist on the process for filling Cook County Board of Commissioners vacancies. The 8th District includes much of Chicago’s Northwest Side, including several majority-Hispanic neighborhoods. The seat became vacant in the early April when Commissioner Anthony Joel Quezada was appointed to fill the vacancy created when 35th Ward alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa was appointed CEO of the Chicago Park District.
Record 100,000 attend Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) came to McCormick Place in Chicago for a much anticipated second weekend of April. A record 100,000 fans attended C2E2 in which cosplay characters posed for photos and people waited in long lines to say hello, get autographs and photo opportunities with celebrities with some fans giving their favs handmade gifts as a gesture of appreciation and fandom.
Amnesty offered for unpaid moving traffic violations
Mariyana Spyropoulos, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, is announcing a limited-time opportunity for individuals to clear overdue moving traffic violation fees without paying additional collection costs from April 14 to April 18, 2025. This does not include parking tickets or red-light violations. Amnesty Week has not been offered since 2019.
Supporters, opponents of traffic stop reform speak out at Chicago South Side hearing
The fifth listening session on the potential changes to Chicago Police Department traffic stop policy didn’t go quite the way it was originally supposed to. The hearings are organized by the city’s Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability, a public body created as part of the 2021 police reform package to, among other things, suggest and review any changes to police policies.
Metra settles on location for new rail yard in Woodstock
Metra settled on the location for its new Woodstock rail yard — the farmland near the existing Union Pacific Northwest Line tracks, east of Lamb Road Metra wants to build a larger, more modern rail yard to replace the existing rail yards in downtown Crystal Lake and Barrington. Those yards are essentially landlocked, and the new yard is expected to improve equipment maintenance and allow more service in McHenry County.
Bolingbrook express bus station to get indoor passenger waiting area, busway improvements
Pace suburban bus transit agency is looking to improve its Old Chicago Park-n-Ride facility in Bolingbrook, at 120 E. Old Chicago Dr. This is one of the several Park-n-Rides Pace built to serve the I-55 commuter express buses, allowing southwest suburban riders to leave their cars in the morning and drive home in the evening. Pace plans to replace a bus shelter with a larger, enclosed passenger waiting area, and expand the bus drive to improve service efficiency.
CTA, Metra and Pace share doomsday scenarios as fiscal looms
Chicago area transit agencies outlined what would happen if the state fails to come through with extra funding before COVID-19 mitigation federal stimulus funding runs out in 2026. CTA, Metra and Pace fare revenues are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, even as they experimented with increasing off-peak and weekend service to try to attract riders beyond the traditional 9-to-5 weekday commuters.
People gather in Buffalo Grove to protest Trump, Musk
At least 100 people turned out on April 5 for the Hands Off! Remove Reverse Reclaim protest in Buffalo Grove as part of sit-ins, rallies and protests across the United States. BG Pride of Buffalo Grove hosted the local protest on Saturday afternoon at the corner of Lake Cook Road and Arlington Heights Road. The protest was scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. for one hour, but several dozen people arrived early with many staying past the posted end time.
Brady wins Bloomington mayor race
Brady wins Bloomington mayor race Bill Dwyer for Chronicle Media — In an otherwise dreadful night for Republicans in local races across much of the state, former Republican State Rep. and House Minority Leader Dan Brady won the Bloomington Mayor’s office in convincing fashion Tuesday. While Brady didn’t win a majority, he won a strong plurality in the three-way race.
Dems sweep Oswego board seats, contribute to Laesch’s Aurora mayoral victory
Democratic candidates swept all four available Oswego Village Board seats in the April 1 Consolidated Election. Three Democrats — Rachelle Koenig, James Cooper and incumbent Karen E. Novy — each collected more than 20 percent of the vote in a six-candidate field to win election to four-year trustee terms. Republicans Terry Olson, incumbent Jennifer Jones Sinnott and Jim Marter II all trailed with less than 13 percent of the vote apiece.
Three state bills would bring millions to Illinois passenger rail, intercity buses
High Speed Rail Alliance, a Chicago-based advocacy group, is throwing its support behind three state bills that, if passed, would put significant resources into expanding passenger rail and intercity buses throughout Illinois. The first bill would appropriate $575 million to maintain and expand intercity passenger rail services throughout the state, with about one-eighth of it going toward high-speed rail.
Crimo III signs ‘Donald Trump’ on waiver of trial after pleading guilty
Robert Crimo III pleaded guilty during his criminal trial Monday, March 3 to all 69 felony charges, including 21 counts of first-degree murder in the July 4, 2022, Highland Park parade mass shooting. However, the waiver of trial filed March 4 shows the defendant’s signature as “Donald Trump.” The filing was stamped and accepted by the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office without incident.
Crimo III pleads guilty in Highland Park July 4 shooting
Robert Crimo III, the accused shooter in the July 4, 2022, Highland Park parade, accepted an open plea negotiation for counts 1-21 (first-degree murder) and counts 22-69 (attempted first-degree murder). By pleading guilty to more than two murder charges, the sentence carries a mandatory prison term for natural life. Lake County Circuit Court Judge Victoria Rossetti followed protocol in reading a list of rights to Crimo III that he would waive by denying his right to a trial.
City plan calls for keeping most of West Side’s Armitage corridor industrial
The city is proposing to keep most of Chicago West Side’s Armitage industrial corridor zoned for industrial businesses, while relaxing zoning on five major sites. In July 2024, Chicago Department of Planning and Development launched a framework plan process for an industrial corridor around the section of Milwaukee District West Metra Line tracks between Oak Park and Cicero avenues.
Aurora mayoral primary will pare five-candidate field to two
Voters in the City of Aurora are currently casting early votes in a mayoral primary that on Feb. 25 will winnow a five-candidate field down to two. Under Aurora election law, if more than four people file candidacy petitions for an office, a primary is automatically triggered to reduce the consolidated election ballot to two. As many as six individuals were on the primary ballot until last week. Incumbent mayor Richard Irvin is seeking a third term.
Lawsuit challenges legality of GOP appointment to 26th State Senate seat
The petals seem to have already wilted on newly appointed GOP 26th State Senate hopeful Darby Hills’ Valentine’s Day roses. Hills, the Barrington Hills village trustee who on Feb. 14 was selected to replace Dan McConchie after his Feb. 2 resignation, has still not been sworn in as of Feb. 19. A lawsuit filed Feb. 18 in McHenry County Circuit Court argues her appointment was illegal under Illinois law.
Elmhurst Art Museum’s exhibition explores the relationship with our planet
If you would like to visit an art exhibition literally down to Earth, then experience artwork that does not require getting your hands dirty with actual soil. The Elmhurst Art Museum’s “Sustenance & Land: Five Artists Consider Our Relationship with the Earth” exhibition explores the relationship with the Earth through April 27 at 150 Cottage Hill Ave. in Elmhurst.
Pace to beef up service in west suburbs, tweak southwest suburban service
Pace suburban bus agency is planning another service increase pilot — this time for two routes in the west suburbs and the southwest suburbs. In 2024 and 2025, the transit operator set aside to expand service on the six-month trial basis where it believed there might be unmet demand. The focus has been on the routes serving major corridors that connect riders to Metra and/or “L” stations.
RTA calls for stronger oversight, raising fares, more state funding
As state legislators consider a bill that would merge four Chicago area transit agencies into one, the Regional Transportation Authority made a reform proposal of its own. While the RTA is supposed to provide oversight over the CTA, Metra and Pace, in practice, its influence is limited. The proposal unveiled on Jan.
Gary Manier, Washington’s ‘tornado mayor,’ to retire after 24 years
In 2001, when Gary Manier was first elected as mayor of Washington, the city was home to 11,576 residents, Lindy’s Market on the town square sold fresh eggs for 93 cents per dozen and the average price of gasoline was around $1.45 per gallon at Tom Brecklin’s service station. On the national level, George W. Bush was sworn in as 43rd president of the United States, and, on Sept.
Former Rep. Ray LaHood, Bradley prof promote political bipartisanship
PEORIA — Former Republican U.S. Congressman and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who served in the House of Representatives for 14 years, may be the only Peorian alive who was nominated and confirmed to a presidential cabinet post. As part of a recent Bradley University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continuing education series, LaHood, 79, commented on some of the recent cabinet nominees put forth by President Donald Trump.
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