Java Rogers Aims to Revitalize Hazel Crest in Mayoral Run (Hazel Crest a long-time educator and two-term trustee of Hazel Crest is throwing her hat into the ring for the mayoral seat promising an “economic renaissance” for the village With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and coach Rogers is eager to apply her passion for education and community development to the highest office in the village “I have a heart for the community,” Rogers said “My plan is to bring together two things I am deeply passionate about—education and government—to create real change.” Rogers has witnessed firsthand the stagnation in local development Having graduated from Hillcrest High School she recalls the lack of opportunities for young people and is determined to change that “The same concerns I had as a student—about there being nothing to do—are the same concerns I hear from students today That shouldn’t be the case; we should have progressed.” One of Rogers’ key campaign promises is revitalizing Hazel Crest’s economy She sees great potential in a recently annexed 139-acre parcel of land at 175th Street and Dixie Highway “It’s in a prime location near major transportation hubs and we need to develop it to attract businesses and create jobs.” will not only provide entertainment and shopping options for residents but also bring jobs closer to home “Too many families have to travel long distances for work meaning less time with their children,” she noted Public safety is another priority for Rogers who supports increased community engagement between residents and law enforcement our officers used to ride bikes through town When officers know the residents and vice versa Rogers is advocating for the return of a community bank to Hazel Crest recognizing that financial institutions are a cornerstone of local economic stability “I’ve been in talks with banks interested in coming back,” she said “A community bank gives residents local access to financial services and strengthens our economy.” Another initiative close to Rogers’ heart is vocational education She envisions using a Metra-donated building near the train station to create a vocational training center equipping young people with STEM and technical skills to enter the workforce “We have students ready to work but lacking opportunities,” she said “We can change that by providing career training right here in our community.” fostering relationships between seniors and youth “Connecting these groups will instill pride in our community,” she said “Success in one village spills into the next As the mayoral race heats up in Hazel Crest Rogers remains focused on her vision for a thriving “I could talk for hours about what I want for this village,” she said with a smile and ensuring Hazel Crest reaches its full potential.” The election is set to be one of the most closely watched in recent years as Rogers and her opponents vie for the chance to shape the future of Hazel Crest Java Rogers Aims to Revitalize Hazel Crest in Mayoral Run Log in to leave a comment The Chicagoland Journal is the premiere news source of the Greater Chicagoland area Three people were in custody late Thursday afternoon after the shooting at a Hazel Crest gas station when police say she was attacked and shot in the leg and later crashed into a school bus near 169th Street and Pulaski Road in Country Club Hills while trying to evade authorities The three then fled on foot into a nearby subdivision east of Pulaski Country Club Hills and Flossmoor police assisted in taking all three into custody was later charged with armed robbery/discharge of a firearm and aggravated battery/great bodily harm Stokes appeared for a detention hearing and remains in custody The other 2 suspects were released pending further investigation The victim suffered a gunshot wound to her leg That same leg was also broken during the encounter Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 10:38 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A woman was attacked and shot while getting into her car at a Hazel Crest gas station Thursday afternoon IL — Three people were in custody late Thursday afternoon after a shooting at a Hazel Crest gas station the woman was getting into her car at Citgo three suspects were arrested in a neighboring town and transported to Hazel Crest The victim was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn with injuries to her leg She was reported as in stable condition Thursday Mayor Alsberry Welcomes Calumet Country Club to the Village of Hazel Crest (Hazel Crest, IL) — Mayor Vernard Alsberry and the Village of Hazel Crest on Tuesday voted unanimously to annex the Calumet Country Club property located at 175th St “This is a great opportunity for the Southland,” said Mayor Alsberry “We have been working hard to revitalize the village and this opportunity will allow for further investments in our community.” The proposed development of the land includes a number of businesses and amenities for the village and surrounding communities to enjoy Mayor Alsberry said that the village and the residents could see a lower tax bill by developing the village’s business base “Cook County property taxes are based on business If a village or city isn’t bringing in the tax revenue from businesses We are seeing sky-high tax bills that are pushing people out We want the village to be affordable for all our residents we need more economic investment and opportunity here.” The village has been working hard to ensure that residents have a diverse community with more than just houses and empty storefronts. “We have a lot of amazing things happening here. Hazel Crest Proper is being transformed into a beautiful art district We have turned the old fire station into an arts center and we can benefit tremendously from the economic development that this project could bring,” Mayor Alsberry said Some of the proposed projects for the land include more attractions the development of the property could benefit the Southland as a whole “Mayor Agpawa of Markham and Mayor Ford of Country Club Hills have expressed their support for the development The development is also backed by the Chicago Southland Development Authority the Southland Black Chamber of Commerce and a number of others who also believe that the development can bring more economic opportunity to the Southland,” said Mayor Alsberry Southland Black Chamber of Commerce board member and owner of Rucker Holdings said “I believe that Mayor Alsberry is doing a great job A development like this can help bridge some of the disparities that exist in the African-American community Bringing amenities that have long-since ignored the communities where black and brown people live is a breath of fresh air I am excited to see what the development brings.” Opponents of the project say that the development will bring unwanted truck traffic to the area despite the fact that most of the streets surrounding the property do not allow for truck traffic “All truck traffic must take a designated route There is very direct access to the expressways from the property,” stated Mayor Alsberry The village has already taken the steps to ensure that Dixie Hwy would be expanded and widened to allow for more car and truck traffic “I have opened discussions with the State of Illinois and the developer to make sure that we are addressing any traffic concerns.” “This development is something that we need to discuss as a community We must have input before moving forward with any zoning requests and developments The safety and betterment of my community is always my top priority.” Mayor Alsberry Welcomes Calumet Country Club to the Village of Hazel Crest alsberry is doing a great job if you consider he does whatever he wants and doesn’t ask the people of the village what they want 2024 at 4:33 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Rosati's Pizza will raffle off a 1964 Chevy Impala at the grand opening of its newest store also in celebration of its 60th anniversary (Courtesy of Rosati's Pizza)HAZEL CREST Rosati's Pizza will celebrate the opening of its newest location at 3430 W The new restaurant is owned by Diego Cervantes a seasoned Rosati's franchisee with multiple locations across Illinois and Wisconsin Cervantes was inspired to open in Hazel Crest following the success of his Midlothian After extensive research within the Hazel Crest community Cervantes said he is thrilled to bring authentic Rosati’s Chicago-style pizza to the area "I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know this community and I’m excited to see everyone come together to enjoy the fresh farm to oven flavors of Rosati’s pizza," Cervantes said "We’re here to create a gathering place where families and friends can experience the best of Chicago-style pizza." The grand opening coincides with a special milestone for Rosati's Pizza—its 60th anniversary Rosati’s is offering special discounts and deals throughout the month of September will be given away as part of the festivities '1964 menu pricing,' and new products for customers to enjoy over the next 60 years Local residents are encouraged to join in the celebration by visiting the new Hazel Crest location during the grand opening The 1964 Impala that some lucky customer could win will be on display and you can grab a free slice of pizza or win some great anniversary prizes Rosati's Pizza is a family-owned restaurant chain specializing in Chicago-style pizza and authentic Italian cuisine. Find a menu online IL — A Hazel Crest man and owner of a medical supply company based out of Bolingbrook has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for paying kickbacks to a U.S Department of Veterans Affairs employee in exchange for procuring orders of medical equipment operated a medical distribution company based in Bolingbrook Smith schemed with a procurement clerk in the Veterans Health Administration Prosthetics Service in Chicago to have the VA order costly medical equipment from Smith’s company in exchange for concealed kickbacks to the clerk The orders placed by the clerk involved unnecessary and more expensive rentals of certain medical equipment from Smith’s company instead of purchasing the equipment outright The VA spent more than $2.7 million at Smith’s company and fraudulently overpaid it by more than $1.3 million the clerk pocketed kickbacks from Smith of at least $220,000 A federal jury earlier this year convicted Smith on eight counts of wire fraud Chang on Wednesday fined Smith $10,000 and ordered him to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution has already pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge prior to trial "Instead of paying for essential equipment and supplies for veterans the defendants used the VA’s money to line their own pockets," Acting U.S "Our office remains committed to preserving the integrity of the VA health care system." "This sentence should send a message that corrupt VA employees will be rooted out and prosecuted," said Gregory Billingsley Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs "These fraudulent activities erode public trust and divert taxpayer money intended for our nation’s deserving veterans Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this investigation." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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public radio’s first one-hour radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting A weekly program presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser All bets were on Monday morning as Illinois’ 16th casino opened its doors for business in the south suburbs The Wind Creek Chicago Southland started taking wagers at 11 a.m Its 1,400 slots and 56 table games will be live daily from 8 a.m until the casino receives approval from the Illinois Gaming Board to operate 24/7 It also has a poker room and a sports bar that’s expected to eventually be licensed as a full sportsbook The entertainment complex has several dining options A hotel in the upper levels of the 16-story casino structure is expected to open early next year you can come here and have great food and have a good time,” Wind Creek Chicago Southland general manager Roger Kuehn said during a preview of the casino Wind Creek will pay the state $45 million within the next month as part of its licensing terms That money — along with the state’s future cuts of the casino revenue — is earmarked for Gov JB Pritzker’s $45 billion capital infrastructure upgrade program The host communities will see some of the tax windfall too The Wind Creek property straddles the border of two suburbs with the gaming floor in East Hazel Crest and its attached parking garage within Homewood’s boundaries Dozens of other south suburbs will receive smaller fractions of the tax revenue as well under the long-sought gaming expansion legislation signed in 2019 Alabama-based Wind Creek Hospitality, part of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, was awarded the casino license over competing bids based in Matteson Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale The Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino in East Hazel Crest could open by the end of the week A gleaming new casino is poised to attract gamblers from across the Chicago area and northwest Indiana with a sprawling gaming floor and upscale dining options that’ll make it one of Illinois’ biggest draws and most lucrative tax revenue generators It’s not the Chicago casino — it’s another new gambling mecca a half-hour’s drive south Leaders of the Wind Creek Chicago Southland gave reporters a first look Thursday at the East Hazel Crest casino that’s awaiting state regulatory approval to start welcoming gamblers as soon as this week 1,400-slot emporium will mark the sixth and final new casino added to the state’s glut of gambling options part of a 2019 expansion that also introduced sports betting and thousands more slot machines in bars and restaurants The Chicago casino is expected to eventually become the biggest cash cow from that legislation, which helps fund Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature $45 billion infrastructure improvement plan But until Bally’s scales up from its temporary River North operation to a permanent complex expected to open in 2026 at 777 W the south suburban casino could end up taking a bigger piece of the region’s carved-up gambling pie 2 in the state,” general manager Roger Kuehn said during a stroll across the Wind Creek gaming floor which also has 56 table games and a poker room They’ll be chasing Rivers Casino in Des Plaines — the state’s perennial top-grossing house of chance — and not the Chicago casino “I don’t see them as being our primary competitor They’re for people who are staying downtown and live in that proximity.” Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has lowered his tax revenue expectations for Bally’s in his latest budget proposal which projects the casino to generate $16.5 million for the city’s police and firefighter pension funds next year That’s less than half the $35 million jackpot Johnson’s budget team estimated this year which is on pace to end with around $15 million for the city “We now have 12 months of actual revenue from the temporary casino’s operations and have adjusted our FY2025 expectations accordingly,” a city spokesperson said in an email Though it has fallen far short of projections set by Johnson and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot “Bally’s has delivered more than $62 million in revenue to Chicago through a $40 million upfront fee $8 million in annual fees and more than $14 million in local taxes,” according to Chris Jewett the company’s senior vice president for corporate development our $1.8 billion casino and hotel development is one of the largest investments ever made in Chicago which will create 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 casino jobs once we open in the fall of 2026,” Jewett said in a statement The city is aiming for a cut of up to $200 million per year when the permanent Bally’s casino is established The latest permanent Bally’s casino design Other new casinos have seen major windfalls in the transition from temporary to permanent facilities which jumped from the middle of Illinois’ 15-casino pack up to No just off Interstate 294 and a few miles from the Indiana border “We’ve heard for years about the Illinois cars going across the border to gamble the Blue Island Democrat who shepherded the 2019 gaming legislation in Springfield Kuehn brushed aside concerns of oversaturating a gaming market that already has more places to bet than Las Vegas “I don’t think the IGB would have issued more licenses if they felt that was an issue,” he said “I think at some point you have to fear that When we have our hotel amenity up [next year] you can come here and have great food and have a good time.” South suburban legislators had sought a casino for decades as an economic generator for a lower income and mostly African American region long subjected to disinvestment About 900 full-time employees are already on board “It’s something that we’ve wanted for a very long time I don’t think anybody could have done any better than this,” said state Rep “Anything that we can do locally to help businesses 2025 at 12:45 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Demonte Williams 33 (Palos Heights Police Dept.)PALOS HEIGHTS IL — The head housekeeper of an assisted living facility is accused of stealing a former resident’s identity and racking up thousands of dollars in a shopping spree around the south suburbs is charged with aggravated identify theft against a victim over age 60 Palos Heights police went took a report from where an elderly resident reported multiple charges against his checking account totalling $7,500 Purchases had been made at various businesses around the south suburbs The resident told police he had come to the Palos Heights facility from another facility in Hazel Crest Investigators went to various businesses where the purchases were made and pulled video of the alleged fraudulent transactions With the assistance of other area law enforcement officers Palos Heights police identified Williams as a tentative suspect residing in Country Club Hills Palos Heights investigators went to the assisted living facility in Hazel Crest Police said staff were able to confirm Williams identity as the head of housekeeping for the entire facility Williams happened to be working at the time and was taken into custody without incident Williams was in possession of the elderly man’s bank card at the time of his arrest The County Club Hills man was interviewed and allegedly admitted to making the fraudulent charges on the man’s card His case is assigned to the Bridgeview Courthouse Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 4:56 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}An alleged hostage situation reported out of Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino early Thursday was actually a dispute over sex IL — An alleged hostage situation that originated at Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino in East Hazel Crest was ultimately a dispute over sex to 100 Ann Court for a report of a person allegedly taken at gun point from the casino The person told police he was taken to the residence and ordered to give up his property He then was able to leave the residence after "being battered and attacked by the resident's pit bull." and declined medical attention from paramedics Thornton police initially interviewed the man and say he gave different versions of the events that took place in the early morning hours at the casino since the incident started at the Wind Creek Casino parking garage police say the man relayed numerous versions of the incident before disclosing it was over an agreement for sex and that he had left the casino willingly The man—a South Carolina resident—told police he wanted his money back and didn't want the incident investigated further He was later released with his vehicle from the Homewood Police Department An investigation into the residence and its occupants is ongoing with Thornton Police and Cook County Sheriff's Police Doors will open to the public at approximately 11 a.m is touted as the first step toward delivering a full-scale integrated resort experience Wind Creek Chicago Southland features over 1,400 slot machines a dynamic sportsbook and 4 “Hidden Gems” throughout the casino floor–offering visitors a unique and customizable private gaming and event microenvironment Designed with an emphasis on curated entertainment spaces this new offering aims to redefine leisure and hospitality for the entire region “The opening of Wind Creek Chicago Southland underscores our dedication to making a positive economic impact in the communities we serve,” said Jay Dorris “We're committed to create opportunities that support the region offer competitive benefits for Team Members and further strengthen the vibrant Southland community.” Wind Creek Chicago Southland is expected to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs in fields ranging from hospitality to technology reinforcing Wind Creek's commitment to strengthening the local economy Homewood and East Hazel Crest will reportedly benefit from gambling revenue along with 42 other south suburban communities—funding essential local services within the immediate and surrounding communities “Wind Creek Chicago Southland is more than a casino—it’s a community-driven destination,” said Stephanie Bryan “The Tribe and Wind Creek will continue to prioritize the Villages of Homewood and East Hazel Crest as we are committed to uplifting our neighbors.” the Illinois Gaming Board visited the casino for two mandatory test days which also included an extended invitation to family friends and local dignitaries Wind Creek Hospitality received notice of approval on Nov 11 opening marks only the beginning of what will become a flagship destination a sportsbook and more will be available for guests seeking diverse experiences Wind Creek’s partnership with Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group will also introduce an exceptional range of signature restaurants and food & beverage offerings to the highly anticipated property “Whether you’re looking for elevated dining or something in between—you won’t be disappointed as we’re creating something truly unforgettable,” said Fabio Viviani and offer the ultimate entertainment escape,” said Roger Kuehn “We're thrilled to welcome our guests on Nov 11 to experience the excitement firsthand.” Wind Creek Hospitality ushers in a new era of entertainment and economic growth for the Southland region with doors opening to the public at approximately 11:00 a.m The state-of-the-art casino represents the first step toward delivering a full-scale integrated resort experience a dynamic sportsbook and 4 "Hidden Gems" throughout the casino floor–offering visitors a unique and customizable private gaming and event microenvironment "The opening of Wind Creek Chicago Southland underscores our dedication to making a positive economic impact in the communities we serve," said Jay Dorris Wind Creek Hospitality. "We're committed to create opportunities that support the region and further strengthen the vibrant Southland community." Wind Creek Chicago Southland is expected to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs in fields ranging from hospitality to technology Additionally, Homewood and East Hazel Crest will benefit from gambling revenue along with 42 other south suburban communities—funding essential local services within the immediate and surrounding communities "Wind Creek Chicago Southland is more than a casino—it's a community-driven destination," said Stephanie Bryan Poarch Creek Indians. "The Tribe and Wind Creek will continue to prioritize the Villages of Homewood and East Hazel Crest as we are committed to uplifting our neighbors." 11th opening marks only the beginning of what will become a flagship destination. High-limit gaming rooms a sportsbook and more will be available for Guests seeking diverse experiences Wind Creek's partnership with Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group will also introduce an exceptional range of signature restaurants and food & beverage offerings to the highly anticipated property "Whether you're looking for elevated dining or something in between—you won't be disappointed as we're creating something truly unforgettable," said Fabio Viviani Wind Creek Hospitality remains committed to building lasting partnerships and elevating entertainment in the Southland and offer the ultimate entertainment escape," said Roger Kuehn "We're thrilled to welcome our Guests on Nov 11th to experience the excitement firsthand." Media Contact:The Zimmerman Agency[email protected] If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino & Resort announced today that its full resort experience—including its luxury hotel and spa—will officially open.. Magic City Casino's exhilarating "Sing Your Way to $100K" competition will celebrate its.. Gambling & Casinos Travel Hotels and Resorts Entertainment Do not sell or share my personal information: 2024 at 12:36 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Patch Graphics)FLOSSMOOR IL — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning until 12:45 p.m "a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Matteson Impact could include flying debris that could be dangerous to those caught without shelter Residents were advised to take cover in the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows The role of the gun industry in America’s gun violence epidemic Our team is examining a decade's worth of data from the Gun Violence Archive for insights into one of the most devastating public health crises in the United States The National Rifle Association is one of the most powerful special interest groups in America We’re investigating how it spends its money and programs grappling with the gun violence crisis Sign up now to get our latest stories and eye-opening briefings I wasn’t able to fall asleep until they came home my daughter Tyesa was the unintended victim of a gang-involved shooting in the Gold Coast neighborhood just a few blocks from one of Oprah Winfrey’s houses but the story of her death lived on in the news for months.  I’ll never forget how the state’s attorney said he thought she would be white because of where she lived.  my son Tyler was beaten and shot before he could make it out of our driveway in the South suburb of Hazel Crest according to an analysis of annual reports from the Chicago Police Department Even as I advocate in Springfield to pass bills that could change things for the better Tyesa had just left the Chestnut Station movie theater with her friends when rival gang members began shooting at each other.  Tyesa looked back for one second and was shot News outlets and justice system officials assumed she was a white girl because she was from Alsip but when I went to see her body at the hospital and they saw that she and I were Black and I could feel the bullet hole in her temple She was about to graduate and lost her life in a majority white neighborhood Her killer served 20 years of a 50-year sentence leaving me with plenty of articles on her.   I was one month pregnant with Tyler.  The media and the justice system treated him like just another Black boy who lost his life to gun violence Tyler had been arrested and charged with being an accessory to a robbery but Tyler didn’t know that the friend had just robbed someone Tyler was arrested and kept in jail over the New Year holiday.  but I often wonder if he was killed because people thought he was a snitch I told him: “You don’t ever have to worry about somebody coming in here I should have been looking for somewhere to move.  I don’t know exactly what happened that day but he was in the driveway – maybe coming home maybe leaving – when someone beat him and shot him.  I learned frustrating details about what happened My son ran to his friend’s house and his friend called 911 again So he put Tyler in his car and took him to the emergency room at South Suburban Hospital Even after he told hospital staff that he’d been shot Tyler sat there waiting for I don’t know how long before they examined him He was taken to the trauma center at Advocate Christ two months after Tyesa’s killer was released and I just cried my heart out because I couldn’t fix it and I set out in Chicago to the worst places in the world I learned everything I could about how people get guns illegally I kept track of the people who might have had something to do with Tyler’s murder When the detective assigned to Tyler’s case retired he told me that his department told him not to investigate the incident.  but now I’m fighting with a pencil and paper someone gave me a journal and told me to write down the responding police officer’s name Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night to write because I have a thought about the case Sometimes Tyler would come to me in my dreams and give me names or faces.  When I decided to try to help people like me who’ve lost children I started the TY (Tender Youth) Foundation using the first two letters of my children’s names Our youth are tender and they need special guidance and better communities.  I give survivors journals and tell them to write everything down “Tell yours.” Tyler wrote music and Tyesa wrote poetry I joined Brady Illinois and One Aim (Illinois Council Against Handguns) to advocate to change gun laws Those two organizations taught me to fight with my voice They gave me the tools to go to Springfield and Washington and speak on behalf of my children to get legislation passed And now I’m on the board of both organizations to help others do the same.  On Jan. 17, 2019, exactly 27 years to the day after Tyesa was killed, I shook hands with Governor Pritzker as he signed a bill requiring gun stores to get state licenses That moment of triumph came after so much trauma as I told my story over and over to convince legislators to pass the measure.  Since then, more bills have been passed, most recently a ban on assault weapons in Illinois. Now, we’re working on three bills that touch on rights for homicide victims’ families, access to firearms for people who have orders of protection filed against them because my son’s case remains unsolved.  I haven’t moved out of the house where he was killed Tyler’s bedroom is still the same as when he left it My kids say I’m stuck in that moment “You won’t move forward until you actually clean out the room.” I’m pushing for a bill that would establish an office of accountability that works specifically on unsolved cases.  I’m also fighting for investment in Black and brown communities Until we address mental health and community safety and poverty in Black and brown communities violence and accountability will always be problems.  Black and brown kids are treated unfairly by the systems outside the home But if we invest in impoverished communities parents can focus on raising their children into responsible adults instead of just scraping by The boy who murdered my daughter was 14; his mother was on drugs and he grew up on the streets in Cabrini-Green.  He was in the affluent Gold Coast neighborhood when he killed Tyesa Tyesa is proof that gun violence anywhere affects everyone everywhere.  “I wish this gun violence would come to an end.” Now it’s 2024 Your tax-deductible donation to The Trace will directly support nonprofit journalism on gun violence and its effects on our communities Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Born on November 1st of 1938 to Leo and Eva (Fuesting) Esker in Harvey Illinois and worked her first job at Fannie May on Michigan Ave She was a talented seamstress and singer in her younger years winning multiple ‘beautification awards’ in Hazel Crest Her children then returned the favor by taking care of her when she no longer could She was known for hosting large family gatherings with delicious food Joan’s last five years were spent at Independence Village in Rockford where she was highly loved by staff and residents Emily Farlow; nine great-grandchildren; siblings Carol (Donald) Haid; and numerous nieces and nephews A visitation for Joan will be held on Saturday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m memorials may be made to Independence Village at 3655 N IL 61114 or to Transitions Hospice at 5100 E The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Independence Village and Transitions Hospice for their love and care of Joan throughout her stay To send online condolences and share memories Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory - Mulford Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Investigators are trying to determine what caused a house fire in Hazel Park Friday morning that killed a 59-year-old woman and her 80-year-old mother A driver headed westbound on Eight Mile Road saw smoke and turned into the neighborhood where they saw the the single-family home at 1561 East Muir Avenue on fire said Hazel Park Fire Department Chief Richard Story but accidental smoking or an electrical issue could be responsible Firefighters extinguished most of the fire within an hour and found the two women dead inside the home Officials did not find two other family cats Those cats may be wandering around the neighborhood was probably burning for about a good hour before it probably broke through the roof One of the victims' husbands was on a trip home from northern Michigan when the fire broke out though Story said it may need to be demolished A neighbor's garage about 40 feet away also sustained damage Police and an official with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office are investigating and speaking with family members was killed Tuesday in the single-vehicle semi crash on I-80 Eastbound in Hazel Crest according to Cook County Medical Examiner records careened down an embankment and overturned onto Kedzie Avenue Simester was the sole occupant of the vehicle Family have started a GoFundMe for Simester's family, describing him as "witty, a jokester and a huge prankster," according to the fundraiser "If you were ever lucky enough to get him really laughing you couldn’t help but laugh too because it was surely contagious." "Craig loved driving his truck," the fundraiser reads Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. A 38-year-old restaurant employee was gunned down Saturday in a gas station on the Warren-Hazel Park border in what police called a "senseless" act of violence that left two young children without their father days before Christmas faces multiple felony charges that include second-degree murder after police say he fatally shot 38-year-old Brandon Zaner of Utica an employee of the Bray's Hamburgers restaurant across the street from the shooting scene a Shell gas station and Dequindre and 9 Mile Road "It just doesn't make sense," Warren Police Lt and was at the gas station getting coffee when he got into an argument with (Williams) Williams fired a single bullet into Zaner's chest Officers who were called to the scene at about 10:40 p.m "It's horrible when someone gets killed over something senseless any time of the year but right before Christmas is just horrible," Gajewski said "The victim has two kids — a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old they don't have a father because of a random argument in a gas station Williams was arraigned Monday in Warren's 37th District Court on charges of second-degree murder which carries up to a life prison sentence attach two years each to the prison sentence Williams does not have an attorney listed on the court's website Warren Police said in a press release they arrested Williams hours after the shooting "Using various law enforcement investigative techniques and Special Operations Unit were able to quickly develop suspect information," Warren police said investigators were able to locate Williams’ vehicle at a nearby hotel in Warren Williams was then taken into custody shortly thereafter without further incident Investigators were able to recover key evidence related to this tragic incident." and ordered the defendant to avoid contact with witnesses in the case A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 8:45 a.m 9 before 37th District Court Judge Steve Bieda "What began as a simple argument has ended in senseless loss of life This kind of behavior is unacceptable and continues to tear families apart We will work tirelessly to ensure justice is served," Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement A Gofundme.com account has been set up to help with Zaner's funeral costs