Governor’s Medicaid Cuts May Hurt Struggling Hospitals

Here is a wrap-up of some of the latest political news.

Grabowski Claims Primary Rival Falvey Potentially a Lipinski Plant

The 3rd District candidate says his Republican primary opponent’s record make him either a Democratic shill or a “fraud” conservative; Falvey’s campaign called the claims “ridiculous” and “desperate.”

Cook County Setting Up One-Stop Tax Info Website

Property owners will soon have a new tool to get extensive tax information.

Quinn Says His Budget 'Contains Truths You May Not Want to Hear'

Here is a wrap-up of area political news.

Do You Owe Chicago Parking, Other Fines?

It's time to pay up. The city is using a new state law to get at your state income tax refund.

Board Meeting: Avoiding Huge Transformer on Pole, Hen License Up for Evaluation

Also, the Board prepares to approve an agreement to improve the east train platform, as well as a number of small housekeeping measures.

Residents, Board Spar on Openlands Timber Trails Proposal

Local advocates of the Western Springs open-space concept were told that little action can be taken at the time; anti-fluoridation campaigners met with slightly more success.

Mail Voting in Presidential Primary Now Available to All Illinois Voters

Absentee voting, which has begun, overlaps with early voting dates. Early voting begins Feb. 27.

Openlands, Residents Look to Buy Timber Trails Unit II for Parkland

The 55-acre western half of the former golf course could remain undeveloped under a purchase proposal that cites the area’s ecological and historical significance.

Chief Kenny, MABAS Division 10 Thank Durkin For Support

The members of the “incredibly effective” Illinois emergency-coordination network honored the 82nd District State Representative and Western Springs resident.

Cook County Property Tax Bills Due March 1

The 2011 first installment Cook County property tax bills can be paid a number of ways including online.

Voting Meeting: $3.25 Million in GO Bonds Sold, Trouble With Invisible Fences

The Village’s public finance consultant addressed the board regarding Western Springs’ (very good) credit rating and the interest rates.

Reverse Osmosis in Western Springs: An Overview

Everything you need to know about the coming water plant, how your water is being treated during its construction and how it will be treated when it’s finished.

Village Issues CodeRED Snow Emergency Alert

Snowfall of half a foot is expected; roads are currently very slippery.

A Look Inside the Reverse Osmosis Plant Construction

A photographic look at the organized chaos involved in tearing down an old water purifying plant before rebuilding it anew.

Bradley Launches Write-In Campaign to Challenge Radogno

Lemont resident Duane Bradley says he will run in the March 20 Republican primary as a write-in candidate after being removed from the ballot.

Village Notes: Winter Reminders, Parkway Tree Replacement

Also, a note on mandatory recycling of electronics.

Falvey Launches Bid to Unseat Fellow Western Springs Resident Lipinski

Local attorney Jim Falvey is seeking the GOP nomination in the newly-redrawn 3rd District for election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Western Springs: Know Your District and Know Your Candidates

Western Springs Patch breaks down the various districts into which the Village is divided for Congress, state House and state Senate elections, and lets you know who has filed.

Identification Now Needed to Purchase Certain Cleasners

Check the label. If a product contains substances regulated by the Federal Caustic Poison Act and has the words "causes severe burns" on its label, Illinois stores have to see ID and keep a log of the purchase.

Board Meeting: Bednarz Honored, Kenny Sworn In as Fire Chief

Trustees also provided updates on the reverse-osmosis water plant construction and the recruitment of new paid-on-call firefighters.

Village Notes: Meter Reader Job Opening, Ten Tips for Understanding the '12 Budget

Also from the Village recently: promoting neighborhood watch programs, Christmas tree collection on Dec. 10th and an update on the water plant construction.

Western Springs 2011 in Review

At a glance, a look at the most important news in the Village over the course of the last year.

New Fire Chief Patrick Kenny Returns to Western Springs

We have an exclusive interview with the former Village Deputy Chief of Fire and Emergency services, who on Dec. 1 will succeed Tony Bednarz as Chief of that same department.

Board Meeting: Tax Levy Ready to Pass, Action Pending on EAB Infestation

A public forum held to receive any questions or concerns about the 2011 tax levy saw no visitors and no complaints; also, two members of the WSPD were honored.

Voting Meeting: Essay Contest Winners Honored, Liquor Licenses and Contracts Awarded

Fourteen relatively minor ordinances were passed at the second November meeting after the young essayists read their winning entries aloud to the Board.

Patch Poll: How Should Indian Head Park Increase Security After Killing?

Residents are wondering what measures can be taken to increase security in the village following the murder of Kelli O'Laughlin.

Board Meeting: ‘Devastating’ EAB Will Kill up to 40 Percent of Parkway Trees

The invasive species has been discovered in Western Springs and threatens nearly half of trees on Village-owned land; also, an update on the Hillgrove Cellars.

Illinois House to Vote on Chicago's Red Light Camera Bill

DuPage County activist urges suburbanites to oppose Senate Bill 965—but do so ASAP. The bill is on the fast track in Springfield.

Tollway is Looking for the Next Cutting-Edge Way of Doing Business

With the I-PASS almost 10 years old, tollway officials want to improve its electronic toll collection.

Board Passes Ogden Crosswalk Improvements Despite Residents’ Protests

The Western Springs Board of Trustees voting meeting on Monday night was surprisingly packed and the tone uncommonly warm over a yellow-light system designed to facilitate access to Bemis Woods.

Rare Coin Worth Nearly $400,000 Missing From Western Springs Post Office

A registered-mail package containing a 1795 gold eagle coin remains missing after disappearing en route to a Western Springs address.

Everything to Know About Leaf Pickup 2011

The complete schedule for leaf pickup, courtesy of the Village of Western Springs.

Patch Classic: A Leaf Falls in Western Springs—And Then What?

There have been many iterations of Western Springs’ decades-old leaf-collection program; in the current one, the colorful leaves disappear from the streets in record time—with some small piques involved.

Board Meeting: Inter-Town Service Cooperation, Red Speed Report

Also: debates over approving Timber Trails improvements, progress towards an Ogden Avenue crossing and a resident’s water-bill appeal.

Board Meeting: One Oktoberfest Officer is Enough

Trustees approve request for diminished police presence at upcoming 800 West event.

Board Meeting: 800 Hillgrove Freed Up, Police Department Wins a National No. 1

Also: updates on the quasquicentennial legacy gift, the Contagion law, roadway construction, traffic around Field Park, south fire station and several budget line items.

Patch Picks: Five Civic Meetings To Make A Difference

Governing is no mystery. Meetings are open to the public. Get a grip on what's going on and get in front of decision makers. Here are a few times, dates and places to start.

Voting Meeting: Fire Chief Announces Resignation, Successor Named

Also: final Redevelopment Plan approved, strong financial report given for 2010.

State Trying to Match Money with Owners

New law requires employers to turn over unclaimed paychecks to the treasurer’s office, which adds to the $1.5 billion unclaimed cash the state is holding.