Introduction
This is the newsletter formerly known as “Here First.” For a few months in late 2021, early 2022, we ran the more-or-less weekly post with lists of upcoming local government meetings and events; local, region and state news briefs; and a look at the biggest stories from the previous week.
The new name is intended to better reflect the look forward/look back format. We’d be interested in your views on the project. Is it something you like reading? Do you have suggestions for improving it? Would it increase or decrease the likelihood you would pay for a subscription to the Chronicle? To help us shape the newsletter, please take our survey.
To help you make up your mind, we’ve made several past issues available (free). The news is old, but the old posts will give you an idea where we’ve been. You can help us decide where we go from here.
Week →
Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8. The board’s Finance Committee will meet at 5 p.m. the same night to discuss the 2022-23 budget. Both meetings will take place at Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive in Chicago Heights.
- The board meeting agenda is available here.
- Highlights: The board will consider affirming the current sexual health curriculum, approving a grant-funded series of four webinars for parents put on by the Stress and Resilience Institute and approving a diversity, equity and inclusion faculty development workshop for $35,217.
Homewood Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, in the board room at village hall, 2020 Chestnut Road and by video.
- The agenda is available here.
- Highlights: The board will consider updates to the village’s tobacco code, bringing it into line with changes in the industry and state law and providing a structure similar to the village liquor code.
Hartford Building progress impending. After being stalled for a couple of months by supply chain disruptions, construction of the Hartford Building at the southwest corner of Ridge Road and Martin Avenue in Homewood appears poised to resume. Materials began arriving again the week of July 25. The mixed-use building will include a first-floor restaurant with three floors of apartments above.
New businesses coming to former Discount Tire building. The Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission has an item on its Thursday, Aug. 11, agenda regarding new businesses in the building at 810 Maple Avenue, just west of Halsted Street, but details are not yet available.
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Community saddened, angered by two deaths. Protesters showed up Monday, Aug. 1, at the Flossmoor Board of Trustees meeting to reiterate demands for an independent investigation into the shooting death of Madeline Miller by Flossmoor police officers on July 10. Miller’s siblings spoke during the meeting and at a pre-meeting rally. The incident is being investigated by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force. Village officials have expressed condolences to Miller’s family but cite the open investigation as the reason they cannot comment further about the incident. A bodycam video released following the incident showed Miller running toward police with a kitchen knife in hand.
In Homewood, family and friends of Alexis Wilson gathered on July 27 to mourn her death a year earlier. The Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduate died at age 19 in an encounter with Dolton police. Earlier in July, Alexis’ mother, Cara Wilson, filed a federal lawsuit against the village of Dolton and two of its police officers in federal court seeking damages and accountability for her daughter’s death.
Homewood announced on Friday that The Urban Canopy is offering residential composting service in Homewood and Flossmoor. The village has held a couple composting education events in the past two years.
The new service is intended to make it more convenient and affordable to get in the habit. Composting keeps organic waste out of landfills and helps return it to the soil.
The new service will be available weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Customers will receive compostable soil for every ten pick-ups from The Urban Canopy. Service will start in September.
on her 9th birthday, Saturday, July 30.
(Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
This little pig goes to market. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.) Poc, a Juliana pig, made an appearance Saturday, July 30, at the Homewood Farmers Market. It was her birthday. She is the pet of Bill and Sue Brazzale of Park Forest and has visited Homewood before. Homewood ordinances wouldn’t allow her to live in the village, but Mayor Rich Hofeld said she’s always welcome to visit.
Sue said Poc is more obedient than most dogs, although she said the little pig can be a bit tempermental at times. Poc was on her best behavior at the market, though, making friends and provoking smiles from a number of market shoppers.
Did she go wee-wee-wee all the way home?
How could she not?