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Black Illinois House members split on gay marriage bill, Sun-Times survey finds

SPRINGFIELD — Less than half of Illinois House Black Caucus members say they back the push to legalize same-sex marriage or are likely to support it, a Chicago Sun-Times survey of the pivotal voting bloc has found. Four members of the 20-member caucus have told the Sun-Times they will vote for same-sex marriage while five others indicated they are leaning toward a ‘yes’ vote. Seven remain undecided, and four are opposed.

Board members sworn in

At the May 15 board meeting, the New Lenox Community Park District welcomed and swore in two commissioners, incumbent Ross Jansma and newly elected, Ted Schulz by Park District attorney, Angelo Vitiritti of Hiskes, Dillner O’Donnell Marovich and Lapp. Both commissioners were congratulated by the …

Joliet City Council wants new oversight of housing authority

The Joliet City Council could get new oversight over the city’s troubled housing authority if it moves forward with a proposal made Tuesday. The Housing Authority of Joliet in the past year fired its executive director, was put under tighter control by federal regulators and …

Joliet City Council creates diversity committee

The Joliet City Council now has the diversity committee that was suggested by a minority voters’ group during the recent electoral campaign. The council on Tuesday unanimously approved the committee and Mayor Thomas Giarrante’s appointment of Councilwoman Jan Quillman as chair and councilmen Jim McFarland …

State targets doctors’ licenses

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It was shocking news in January when a woman sued a Frankfort doctor, accusing him of fondling her in an exam room. Kishor Nathmal Jain had provided medical care for children and adults in Frankfort, starting in 1980 at Hedges Clinic. Jain, 59, graduated from …

Will County is serious about space problems

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JOLIET — The Will County Board is poised to start chipping away at its serious space shortage after more than a decade of debate. With $14.3 million in existing funds, the county could soon start on a path toward $441 million in new buildings. “We …

Man pleads guilty to raping his roommate

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A convicted bank robber accused of raping his roommate whom he found online was sentenced Tuesday to 32 years in prison for the assault. William R. Swiderski, 53, pleaded guilty to two felony charges of criminal sexual assault before Will County Judge Daniel Rozak. Rozak …

Oklahoma tragedy gives Joliet firefighters reminder during training

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JOLIET — The training may have been scheduled for weeks, but Monday’s tragedy in Oklahoma gave local fire department supervisors a very recent reference for their tornado response drill. “It’s coincidental, but with the horrific images and stories we are hearing from Moore, Okla., it’s …

Kendall County Board to move quickly on noise ordinance

YORKVILLE — Robin Eggert says she is “living like a prisoner in my own home.” The prison is noise, and the jailer is the neighbor who lives the width of a small driveway away from Eggert in Boulder Hill, and plays loud music with heavy, …

Sky’s the limit — and the norm — for Frankfort company

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Every time the White Sox hit a home run, every time the Bears or Bulls are introduced at a home game, or whenever the city of Chicago has a special event, they are on the scene sparking the celebration.

“They” are the team of technicians, …

Pulse: Mystery smell infiltrates county office

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Something seemingly stinks in the Will County Recorder of Deeds office at 58 E. Clinton St. Dave Delrose, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1028, said the sewer-type smell comes and goes and “some days it’s very overwhelming.” After …

NIU administrator to retire after FBI probe

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A Northern Illinois University administrator who went on leave after an FBI investigation will retire at the end of the month.

3 Brookfield Zoo dolphins expecting

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Chicago Zoological Society officials say three Brookfield Zoo bottlenose dolphins are pregnant. Officials say Allie, 26, Tapeko, 31, and Spree, 10, are due to give birth this summer and fall.

Alleged purse snatcher crashed into semi on I-80

Police say a Joliet man mugged two elderly women in different grocery stores before crashing a stolen car into a semi-truck on Saturday. Joliet Cmdr. Al Roechner said Matthew J. Boban’s crime spree began at 11:55 a.m. when he arrived at Jewel, 1401 W. Jefferson …

Immigrant center for Joliet to go public

JOLIET — After months of debate behind the scenes, a proposed immigrant detention center finally will get a full public airing at a future city council meeting. During Monday’s meeting, council members voted unanimously to have City Manager Tom Thanas arrange a time when Corrections …

Quick News: Medical society donates $20,000 to hospitals

Will-Grundy County Medical Society officials met with representatives of three local hospitals — Morris Hospital, Silver Cross Hospital and Presence St. Joseph Medical Center — to donate $20,000 to advance nursing education at each institution in honor of Nurses Week earlier this month, according to …