Will Cook County News

Run 4 Peace 2024

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/19/run-4-peace-2024/

By Nuha Abdessalam and edited by Claude Martinez.

Team Palestine for PCRF-Chicago and Selma Sweets & Frozen Treats have teamed up for the upcoming annual Run 4 Peace event on Sunday, September 15.

The Run 4 Peace is not just a race but a unique opportunity for all runners and walkers, from beginners to seasoned pro-triathletes, to come together for a day of thrilling activities and contribute to a worthy cause. Held at Moraine Valley Community College at 9000 College Pkwy in Palos Hills at 7 a.m., registered runners can expect supportive cheers from onlookers, scenic views of the impressive campus, and a fun-filled day of raising awareness and funds, in addition to implementing healthy lifestyles and promoting a healthier community.

PCRF is a non-political, nonprofit organization committed to healing those affected by war. Established in 1991, the organization provides life-saving medical care to children in the Middle East. Most recently, PCRF has helped evacuate refugee children into Italy and Belgium. Amyra Muhammad, a pharmacist and a longtime dedicated member of PCRF, is hosting the rollover event this September.

Muhammad said, "PCRF has developed relationships all over the world with different medical facilities and organizations in countries like Italy, Belgium, and Spain, where they've also accepted children that have been evacuated from Gaza." Muhammad added, "Wherever these refugee children are, PCRF is there to provide medical care for them." She said, "We're hopefully instilling healthy habits into our community, supporting local businesses that support us and the overall community."

Selma's Sweets & Frozen Treats, located at 7205 West 103rd Street, is a local bakery and Sponsor of PCRF's Run 4 Peace event. The business is no stranger to partnering with the organization and is now banding for the eleventh time to get folks registered and their hearts pumping with a tagline incentive: 'You gotta earn your sweets.' Registered runners, walkers, and participants of all kinds are encouraged to get their hearts pumping and join the community for the sweetest treat.

That's right. Participants with sweet tooth fixings will have plenty to choose from, with the favorite sweet traditional Palestinian Kunafa to dine on and other sweet treats, snacks, and beverages by local businesses. "This is a unique opportunity for us to serve our local community, and we get to serve the Palestinian community, anyone struggling," said Sponsor and PCRF affiliate Dr. Mohammad Saleh.

Saleh added, "This race is a beautiful way for us to hit all those objectives and goals, we do this for Allah first and foremost; this race brings attention and acts to preserve our culture, food, and the community."

Interested folks still have time to register for the eventful day. Participants can partake in the event's 1-mile walk; the 5k run and children will have access to the "kids dash".

General admission tickets can be purchased for $35 (12 and up), while tickets for kids 11 and under can be purchased for $25 until September 10 or when sold out.

Muhammad said, "This race, in particular, all fundraising is being dedicated to aiding those affected by the Gaza crisis."

Moraine Valley Community College PCRF - Palestine Children's Relief Fund

Coffee with a Cop, in Tinley Park, hosts its 4th event of the year.

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/19/coffee-with-a-cop-in-tinley-park-hosts-its-4th-event-of-the-year/

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam.

In Tinley Park, 'Coffee with a Cop' is a community event where you can have a cup of your favorite coffee, tea, or sweet treats with your local law enforcement member. It's a casual setting where you can meet and chat with officers, ask questions, and address any concerns you may have. The fourth event of the year, held on Thursday August 14th, was hosted by Dunkin' Donuts at 9500 W. 179th Street. The chief of Police, Thomas Tilton, stopped by to speak with citizens.

Tilton was appointed to the Chief in May of 2023 and hasn’t looked back since. With over 40 years of law enforcement experience, he has seen what community bonding can do for civilians. “These are really important events because we want the residents of Tinley Park to get to know our officers.” He added, “We want them to be comfortable meeting us in a situation like this so they can ask questions and address their concerns in a relaxed atmosphere. It demystifies the whole police and public interaction.”

Community members who assist law enforcement were also at the event. Tinley Park Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association President Thomas Kozak and Alumni Member Rich Adler came to show their support.

Adler knows events like 'Coffee with a Cop' play a crucial role in shaping the youth's perceptions of police officers. “Since the media has blown everything so out of proportion, most citizens and residents are actually scared." He added, "This is a nice meet and greet (because) you get to meet them personally and get to know that they’re real people, just like you are.”

Kozak added, “I think it’s important because our media often portrays our police officers in a very negative light. As a graduate and as President of the Alumni Association, I see all the positive things they do for our community and for the individuals in our community. I want people to learn about them… what they do, why they do it, and how they do it."

What does the Citizens Police Academy do for the community? Adler explains, “We work on a lot of fundraisers, and we also volunteer for the police department during events.” Kozak continued, “We typically serve as eyes and ears of the police department, augmenting their forces at large-scale events.” The Citizens Police Academy is a program that provides community members with an opportunity to learn about law enforcement and contribute to their community's safety.

Do not just take this article as the final say so on law enforcement. Find out for yourself at the next ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event in Tinley Park, listed below.

September 19 | 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. Dunkin' Donuts, 7941 W. 171st Street

October 17 | 10:00 - Noon Krema Coffee Roasters, 6700 South Street (Inside the Oak Park Avenue train station)

November 19 | 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. Mr. Stacks, 7164 W. 183rd Street

If you wish to get involved with the Citizens Police Academy, click here. NOTE: All applications to join are due October 11, 2024.

'After you graduate from the 12-week Citizens Police Academy program you can join the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. The Alumni Association has monthly meetings with guest presenters and helps at various Tinley Park events such as being in the TP Parade of Lights, Tinley Park Irish parade, and Rib Fest to name a few.'

Special thank you to Dina Navas (Civilian Crime Prevention Officer) for the additional information.

Village of Tinley Park Illinois Government

Interim Superintendent at D231 is equipped for success.

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/13/interim-superintendent-at-d231-is-equipped-for-success/

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam. Photos provided by Tim Moran.

Dr. Michael Riordan was selected to serve as interim superintendent of Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 for the 2024-2025 school year.

After seven years of educational leadership, the renowned EPCHS superintendent Thomas O'Malley retired in June. In search of an ideal candidate, the district interviewed educators with experience at this level. They found Dr. Michael Riordan, who had retired from the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 in 2023, with 15 years of superintendent experience (33 years overall of educator experience).

President of EPCHS D231 Board of Education Mary Zofkie has known Dr. Riordan's educational determination for many years. They were both founding members of the AERO Special Education Cooperative.

"I'm very confident that Dr. Riordan will lead us through this year without skipping a beat," Zofkie said. "He comes to EPCHS with a wealth of knowledge and experience and will help bridge the gap as we continue our search for a permanent leader for our district," stated Zofkie (from a provided press release).

Dr. Riordan has always been a local to the area. He started teaching science at Marian Catholic and settled at Oak Lawn Community High School. He has been a leader at every level at OLCHS, "a teacher, coach, dean, department chair, assistant principal, and principal before becoming superintendent in 2008," wrote Tim Moran.

"I am honored to serve as interim superintendent at Evergreen Park Community High School," Dr. Riordan said. "This school district and the Evergreen Park community as a whole are wonderful places for young people, and I am fully committed to ensuring that the great traditions and commitments to our students and families continue into the future."

For all students, parents, educators, community members, and alumni, we encourage you to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Riordan the next time you see him in the district.

We extend a special thank you to Tim Moran (EPCHS, Public Relations) for his invaluable contributions to this announcement. His dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated.

Evergreen Park Community High School D231

Bridgeview's UFC Champion celebrates with his community.

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/12/bridgeviews-ufc-champion-celebrates-with-his-community/

Article & Photos by Nuha Abdessalam. Edited by Claude Martinez.

'Little Palestine', a term of endearment for the close-knit community of Bridgeview, celebrated the victory and home state of UFC Champion Belal Muhammad.

The entire community was buzzing with anticipation for the victory parade of the village's beloved champion. Crowds as large as 600 gathered on Sunday, August 11, with the excitement building up to 2 p.m. The streets from 87th to 91st Street and Harlem Avenue were closed for the grand celebration, a testament to the community's unwavering unity and support. This display of solidarity was a testament to the shared values and commitment to one another.

Belal's success in the UFC has not only brought recognition to Bridgeview but also ignited a spark of inspiration in many young athletes in the community. His arrival was marked by a motorcade and a traditional 'zaffa,' a Middle Eastern musical group, adding a touch of cultural celebration to the event. His journey from our community to the global stage serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other aspiring athletes, showing them that with hard work and dedication, they too can achieve their dreams.

Howell-Cook said, "Belal is so chill and comes with no drama. He's a great fighter; I feel like being here to support someone from our state is amazing." Vinas added, "This is exciting; it brings attention to the UFC. He's a good dude, and it's cool he's giving back to the community."

Close affiliated nonprofit organizations Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and Pious Projects members joined Mayor Steven Landek and Judge Rouhi Shalabi. They echoed words of pride for the town and the world, observing such a unique challenge in the UFC. Jacobius said, "Only a handful can do as Muhammad; as the Mayor mentioned, this is years of hard work; hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard," he added, "Belal is one of the most talented and hardest-working people ever, and that's how champions are made."

Actively using his platform to spread awareness of the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people of Gaza, Muhammad was marked as the first Palestinian UFC Champion. His victory not only made history but also inspired many and brought attention to the plight of his people.

"Belal is 'noor,'' meaning a 'source of light' during a tough time; he has given us hope, inspiration, and confidence."

Read more about Belal Muhammad’s work with PCRF on our website.

PCRF - Palestine Children's Relief Fund

The much-anticipated return of National Night Out to Oak Forest is just around the corner!

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/03/the-much-anticipated-return-of-national-night-out-to-oak-forest-is-just-around-the-corner/

Original image is from the Facebook " ."

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam.

National Night Out (NNO) is back in Oak Forest this year, at 15800 Long Avenue, directly behind Culvers. After a few years off since the COVID-19 Pandemic, the yearly neighborhood and community bonding event, aimed at strengthening the relationship between residents, local law enforcement, and emergency services, is back on August 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

It's the community's enthusiasm and support that has brought back the National Night Out. Oak Forest Police Officer Tracy Weiland, who has been with the department for eight years, is leading the charge. "This is the first time I'm hosting (NNO), and once COVID hit, it just stopped. We had a lot of residents requesting it last year, so I jumped on it and thought I would take it over," said Officer Weiland.

She continued to explain NNO: "National Night Out is actually (for people) to meet your police and firefighters and get to know your neighborhood."

Officer Weiland spoke about why it is so important for residents to attend community building events like these: "I think that it's important for everybody--kind of get to know who's protecting your neighborhood." She added, "I want them to get to know us and understand that we're real people—just normal people like them. We're just doing our job and here to help them."

Get ready for a night of fun and community bonding! There will be many exciting activities, including free child ID kits, a live DJ, bouncy castles, snow cones, face painting, a dunk tank, a K9 demonstration and many emergency vehicles to learn about.

To learn more about this event and how you can get involved, please contact Officer Weiland at 708-687-1376 or email [email protected].

WCCN would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Oak Forest community for their continued support and enthusiasm for the National Night Out event, and to the Oak Forest Police Department and Officer Weiland for their dedication.

Traynere responds to alleged cybercrime. 7/19/24

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/19/traynere-responds-to-alleged-cybercrime/

Photo of Jacqueline Traynere. Original image is from the page " "

By Nuha Abdessalam and edited by Claude Martinez. Updated 7/19/24 at 11:06 P.M.

Will County Board Democratic Leader Jacqueline Traynere sets the record straight on the alleged cybercrime email infringement by Will County Republican Board Leader Steve Balich.

Earlier this month, Balich called for a press conference on the cybercrime involving Traynere. The incident allegedly involved Traynere tampering with his and Judy Ogalla's email accounts.

In setting the record straight, Traynere reiterated, "I have NEVER, EVER, hacked or logged into Steve Balich's email. I don't know what he is alleging." In response to Balich's statement on Traynere confessing to hacking and infringing on county board member emails, Traynere learned earlier, in March, of a circulating rumor of all 22 county board members sharing the same password, putting it to the test, she said, "I proved the rumor to be true..." with a board member email (Judy Ogalla) "it was wrong we had the same password, I couldn't believe it, I informed Judy and county executives and the IT department immediately."

She recounted, "When I reported the shared password to our IT department, the IT department told us that we had to share the same email password, supposedly to aid elected officials with technical issues." Traynere added, "This is an insane policy. The fact that this order came from staff managed by Judy makes me wonder how often Judy and Steve have been looking at my email?" Traynere emphasized, "Here's the part Balich keeps forgetting to mention: all of our (Board Members) emails are available for the public to ask; it's called the Freedom of Information Act. We don't do anything private on email."

Traynere, who has not been contacted by any law enforcement agencies, expressed her disbelief at the situation. She said, "It's a political ploy. He's trying to draw attention from his problems, and he should not use the township website to make allegations against me. That is a misuse of township funds; it's slander."

For more news follow us on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube @ Will Cook County News.

Charity Golf Outing for The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/15/charity-golf-outing-for-the-childrens-museum-in-oak-lawn/

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam.

The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn is hosting a charity golf invitational at the Hickory Hills Country Club on Thursday, August 15.

The board secretary for The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, Ian Chafee, spoke about the facility at 5100 Museum Drive. He said, "We are aligned with the state standards for education, and Our sweet spot is kids eight and under." He added, "We focus mostly on little guys zero to three. It is a place where they can play with their parents and learn to socialize."

As a non-profit, all proceeds will return to The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, which has 23 exhibits. Some funds will be put towards their travel 9/11 exhibit called We the People. This exhibit, which features a couple of World Trade Center beams that traveled to Northern Michigan, will be in Ottawa, IL, in a few weeks. The exhibit provides a unique opportunity for children and families to learn about and reflect on the events of 9/11. "We're trying to raise some money for the exhibit's transportation, insurance, and trailer," Chafee added, "There are also going to be general operating expenses too, but mostly the proceeds will go to exhibits."

Picture a day filled with camaraderie, fun, and the satisfaction of supporting a good cause. The charity golf invitational check-in is at noon, and the shotgun start is at 1:00 p.m. For just $125 per player or $450 for a foursome, you'll enjoy 18 holes of golf, a delightful dinner, and the chance to win exciting raffle baskets. But this is not just a golf event. It's a unique opportunity to make a difference while experiencing a day filled with fun and togetherness.

As a parent of two (22 & 18), Chafee took his oldest daughter to the museum at six months old, and within six months, he became a volunteer. "Having a place to go, especially in Chicago during the winter, is hard to find a reasonably priced place to take your kids. Even if you don't have a membership, it costs around $20 for two of you to get in." Chafee continued about the benefits for families. "It's one thing to take your kids to the park and watch them. In a children's museum, you're there with them. I think that's important for kids; the parents and grandparents can interact directly with the kid. You're also learning about your kid while they are learning."

To get your tickets please visit The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn's website here.

For more news follow us on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube @ Will Cook County News. Hickory Hills Country Club Children's Museum in Oak Lawn

Free Disaster Preparedness Training program in New Lenox. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/08/free-disaster-preparedness-training-program-in-new-lenox/

By Claude Martinez & edited by Nuha Abdessalam. Photos by the Village of New Lenox.

The Village of New Lenox is hosting a Disaster Preparedness Training program for free this September and early October. This 20-hour essential Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class will teach all the necessary skills to aid during a disaster, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to assist your community in times of need.

The CERT is a local group of trained community members who can assist during emergencies. Learned skills will be first aid, fire safety, community development, search & rescue, and more. For example, on June 19, nearly 40 members of CERT met for their monthly meeting at the New Lenox Village Hall and learned about water procurement, wilderness first aid, fire starting, and survival shelters.

This free 20-hour basic program is designed with your busy schedule in mind. The program will run from September 10 to October 3, with classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. The program will conclude with a final Exercise, where attendees can apply the skills they've learned, a Graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements, and a Luncheon to foster community spirit. This will take place on Saturday, October 5, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate and a special CERT backpack filled with essential disaster preparedness supplies.

Interested parties can register by contacting Daniel Martin, Safe Community Coordinator, Villager of New Lenox, at [email protected] or at (815) 462-6493. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your preparedness and contribute to the safety of our community. Register now!

For more information about CERT, please visit their website here.

WCCN would like to sincerely thank Grant Spooner for sharing this press release and engaging in participation to make our community safer.

For more news follow us on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube @ Will Cook County News.

New Lenox CERT