Morton Grove Champion

Morton Grove’s new cop cars

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:17:43 -0500

When several of Morton Grove’s police vehicles were ready for rotation out of the fleet, Police Chief Mark Erickson needed to make a decision. The Crown Victorias served the department well, but Ford discontinued the model. Erickson asked Mayor Dan Staackmann for his advice. Staackmann is a former semi-professional stock car driver and an ASE-Certified mechanic. “For many years, Ford’s Crown Victoria dominated the police car market,” Staackmann said. “However, when Dodge introduced the Charger, Ford had a worthy competitor. The Charger offered everything required for a proper police vehicle in addition to having a sense of style.” A team …

Keep records of vital information for elderly parents

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:26:23 -0500

Sometimes we make assumptions about the information that we have or don’t have when it comes to our parents, grandparents or other seniors in our lives. Unfortunately the moment we realize that the information we need is not available is usually during a crisis.

Taking stigma off incontinence

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:14:03 -0500

Watching daytime TV, and all of the commercials for incontinence products, one might think that incontinence is a normal part of life and aging.

This Apple has sour taste

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

Dear Fixer: I cannot download any apps on my iPhone. It says my account is disabled. After I sent a request to the Apple support email address, I received a response from an iTunes adviser who said it appeared that my account had been disabled due to “chargeback orders” they had received from my credit card issuer.

Art of compromise is what’s needed now

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

In the aftermath of last week’s election, I’ve been listening to my friends on the right and the left. They are saying the same thing, and that’s what worries me.

Christmas shopping, philosophically speaking

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:42:03 -0500

Now that that pesky presidential election is over, it’s time to concentrate on what’s really important. Christmas shopping. But before you can shop, you have to decide what to get friends and family, collectively known as loved ones.

Stop ‘straw buyers’ of guns

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:10:01 -0500

For years Chicago and Cook County officials have been pushing a law that would help close the spigot of guns flowing illegally into the city. So far, the National Rifle Association has blocked the law in Springfield, but officials here should keep pushing. The so-called “lost or stolen” law would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen gun within 72 hours of noticing it is missing. It would help discourage “straw buyers” who purchase numerous guns legally in the suburbs and then sell them to felons in Chicago. Straw buyers often say their weapons were lost or stolen …

How about veggie McDonald’s here?

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:16:04 -0500

McDonald’s is opening two vegetarian-only restaurants. Not, unfortunately, in one of the hipper neighborhoods of Chicago, or even somewhere in California. But in India — in Amritsar and Katra. This makes sense. For reasons of religion and tradition, Indian diets tend to be low in meat, with about 30 percent of Indians eating no meat at all. But vegetarians are growing in number in this country, too, and we’re pretty sure a veggie McDonald’s would fare well in or around Chicago. Our first reaction when we read the news about a vegetarian-only McDonald’s was to laugh. Aren’t these the folks …

Official: Man fired BB shots at Morton Grove mosque

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:50:04 -0500

MORTON GROVE — A man who lives next to a mosque in north suburban Morton Grove has been charged after he allegedly fired a pellet rifle at the building while 500 people prayed inside. David Conrad, 51, lives just east of the mosque and faces three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, a class X felony, and one count of criminal damage to property, a class 4 felony, Morton Grove police said in an Aug. 12 press release. Authorities began investigating after a shooting the night of Aug. 10, while worshippers were celebrating the holy month of Ramadan at …

Letter to the editor: Other avenues for public comments exist in Morton Grove

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 06:49:25 -0500

MORTON GROVE — In the guest essay of July 5, 2012, Eric Poders castigates people who run after rumors. I believe he is referring to the introduction of a Tilted Kilt Sports Bar in Morton Grove. I do not consider this a rumor, as the economic director and village president of Morton Grove both commented on this plan in a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune. Rumors themselves can serve a useful function to bring issues to the attention of the general public. Pursuing rumors is part of the democratic process and keeps our government on an ethical even keel. …

To parents: Teen-drinking parties have host of consequences

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:49:00 -0500

First, the Park Ridge Police Department congratulates the graduating seniors at Maine East and Maine South high schools. We are all very proud of the work our students did this year and wish them success in their futures. The department also recognizes all of the other students in our community. Your hard work has paid off and summer is here. It’s a time to relax and to have fun. However, we all have to work together to be safe. Parents play a major role in their children’s choices about alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. In a national survey of parents …

Letter to the editor: Support for District 207 foundation appreciated

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:47:21 -0500

As the District 207 Educational Foundation prepares for its annual Benefit Dinner, it has much for which to be thankful. Previous donations by community members, alumni, local businesses, parents, and teachers have made it possible to award grants which benefitted students at Maine South, West, and East in a wide variety of ways. Just to name a few, the fabulous new glass mosaic that graces the main staircase at Maine West was funded, in part, by a Foundation grant. The Maine South Constitution Team, preparing to compete in Washington, D.C. is another grant recipient. Judy Tyler, advisor to the Gifted …

A ‘Moneyball’ lesson in life: ‘Get on base’

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:54:00 -0500

I’ve decided that the correct answer for just about any question this spring is: “He gets on base.” That answer comes from one of last year’s best movies, “Moneyball.” That simple phrase answers the questions put to Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, about why he wants certain players over other players on his team. Because, Billy’s assistant answers every question, “He gets on base.” If only every move were that simple. But it is spring, and with spring comes a new baseball season. Here in Chicago, every baseball fan must be full of hope. It is clear …

Shimkus: Senator Kirk is coming back

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:42:30 -0500

Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed piece submitted by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, regarding the status of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, who is in recovery from a stroke he suffered in January. As a member of the Illinois congressional delegation, I have been besieged by questions on the status of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk. These well-intended queries come from colleagues from around the country, congressional staffers, the professional employees of the government, local Republican leaders, and the general public. When I went to visit Senator Kirk, he was clearly very happy to see me. Family …

BLASER: Frauds and phonies are nothing new to Springfield

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:26:17 -0500

The recent news that a portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln hanging in the governor’s mansion in Springfield is a fake proved not only interesting but also somehow appropriate. It was interesting because all things dealing with President Lincoln are, at the very least, “interesting.” Appropriate because most of the occupants of the governor’s mansion over the last few decades have also been fakes. Have we had a governor lately who has even read about Lincoln? They certainly don’t try to emulate him. The recent governors we’ve had in this state are mostly charlatans and frauds, political hacks and hangers-on. They …