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Latest Articles:
OPINION: My Vision For The Future
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | March 14, 2024
Kouri Marshall, a candidate running for the 7th Congressional District, during a town hall forum in February in Chicago’s Austin community. | Paul Goyette Thursday, March 14, 2024 || Kouri Marshall || OPINION || michael@wearejohnwilk.com In his opinion piece from February 26th, “The Problem with the Democratic Party That’s Hiding in Plain Sight,” author Michael Romain made a few points.... READ MORE >
West Suburban Mayors Back Rep. Davis
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | March 14, 2024
Maywood Mayor Nathaniel George Booker, North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni, Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey, Congressman Davis, Hillside Mayor Joe Tamburino, Northlake Mayor Jeff Sherwin, Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico and Proviso Township Supervisor Michael Corrigan during an endorsement breakfast in Hillside on March 9. | Courtesy J. Boston Thursday, March 14, 2024 || By Michael Romain || michael@wearejohnwilk.com The mayors of... READ MORE >
Northlake, ‘Few-Frills Blue-Collar Town,’ Turns 75
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | March 04, 2024
A clipping of a 1991 Chicago Tribune article on Northlake. The suburb was incorporated 75 years ago. | Newspapers.org Monday, March 4, 2024 || By Michael Romain || michael@wearejohnwilk.com Northlake, one of the youngest municipalities in the west suburbs, turned 75 this year. Incorporated in 1949, the city’s identity has always been tied to industry, neighborliness and blue-collar pragmatism, old newspaper... READ MORE >
Northlake Mayor Announces Capital Projects
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | March 04, 2024
Northlake will rebuild its main water pumping station and three million-gallon reservoir at Hansen Park between Morse Drive and Lemoyne Avenue, the mayor announced last month. | Google Earth Monday, March 4, 2024 || By Community Editor || michael@wearejohnwilk.com Northlake Mayor Jeff Sherwin announced late last month that the city will rebuild its main water pumping station and three million-gallon... READ MORE >
Video Gaming Could Be Coming To Westchester Mariano’s
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | March 04, 2024
The Mariano’s in Westchester could be getting video gaming terminals. Kroger, the store’s parent company, has been focusing more on non-grocery revenue as profit margins from grocery products fall, a Kroger representative said. | File Monday, March 4, 2024 || By Michael Romain || michael@wearejohnwilk.com || Updated: 6:50 p.m. Kroger, the parent company of the Mariano’s grocery store food chain,... READ MORE >
Northlake Public Library Asking Residents To Vote ‘Yes’ For ‘Zero Tax Rate Increase’
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | February 28, 2024
The Northlake Public Library wants residents to vote ‘yes’ on a critical referendum that will appear on their March 19 primary ballots. | File Wednesday, February 28, 2024 || By Community Editor || michael@wearejohnwilk.com The Northlake Public Library trustee board is asking residents of the city to vote ‘yes’ on a critical referendum that will appear on their March 19... READ MORE >
Percy Julian Gets His Due With National Historic Site Efforts, ‘Legacy Museum’
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | February 27, 2024
State Rep. Camille Lilly, center, stands inside of The Julian Legacy Museum exhibit in the Idea Box at the Oak Park Public Library’s main branch at 834 Lake St. in Oak Park. | Paul Goyette Tuesday, February 27, 2024 || By Michael Romain || michael@wearejohnwilk.com Percy Julian, the famous Black chemist who for a time lived in Maywood before moving... READ MORE >
What’s Happening (Feb. 28 – March 5)
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | February 27, 2024
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 || By Community Editor || michael@wearejohnwilk.com A lot is happening in Proviso Township this week. Below, we’ve listed just some of those events. To submit a calendar listing, email michael@wearejohnwilk.com Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Maywood Public Library, 121 S. 5th Ave., Maywood | Join the library and Ms. Sophia and Friends as they... READ MORE >
Still ‘A Quiet Place With Come-Back Spirit’
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | February 27, 2024
A clipping of the 1993 Chicago Tribune article that profiled Berkeley. | Newspapers.com Tuesday, February 7, 2024 || By Michael Romain || michael@wearejohnwilk.com This year, the small suburb of just over 5,000 residents turns 100 years old. Village officials and community leaders have an array of programming to mark the centennial. You can read up on the plans at berkeleyilcentennial.com. ... READ MORE >
The Problem With The Democratic Party That’s Hiding In Plain Sight
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com | February 26, 2024
Congressman Danny K. Davis, Kina Collins, Ashley Munson, Michael Romain, Kouri Marshall and Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin at a Feb. 24 town hall forum at Second Baptist Church in Maywood. | Paul Goyette Monday, February 26, 2024 || By Michael Romain || OPINION || michael@wearejohnwilk.com In the contentious Democratic Primary race for the 7th Congressional District, there aren’t too many meaningful... READ MORE >