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Shari Barranco of Northbrook, Illinois Passes Away at 96

Shari Barranco of Northbrook, Illinois Passes Away at 96

Shari M. Barranco, a long-time resident of Northbrook, Illinois, passed away on July 19, 2026, at the age of 96. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, she was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Barranco was married to John P. Barranco for 74 years and is survived by her children and grandchildren. A visitation and service are scheduled at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home in Glenview, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, ASPCA, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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Canadian Wildfires Continue to Impact Illinois Air Quality

Canadian Wildfires Continue to Impact Illinois Air Quality

Over 900 wildfires are currently burning across Canada, with more than 7 million acres scorched since the start of the year, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. These fires, particularly in boreal forests, are sending significant amounts of PM2.5 pollutants into the atmosphere, affecting air quality in Illinois and the broader Midwest. Cook County recently experienced a quadrupling of its previous PM2.5 record. While an air quality alert ended on Monday, smoke is expected to linger in the region, and experts warn that similar events could recur later this summer. The situation is exacerbated by climate change, which is intensifying fire seasons and increasing the frequency of such air quality issues.
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Illinois Lawmaker Proposes Toll Cost Transparency Amid Rate Hike Considerations

Illinois Lawmaker Proposes Toll Cost Transparency Amid Rate Hike Considerations

Illinois State Rep. Martin McLaughlin has proposed the 'Truth in Toll Transparency Act' to require clearer signage displaying toll costs before drivers reach toll points. This proposal comes as the Illinois Tollway considers its first passenger vehicle toll increase since 2012. The proposed legislation aims to ensure drivers are informed of toll costs before committing to toll roads. The Illinois Tollway's board is considering a plan to increase tolls to fund a $26.5 billion infrastructure program focused on maintenance and improvements.
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Illinois' Orange Wildflowers: A Summer Attraction for Pollinators

Illinois' Orange Wildflowers: A Summer Attraction for Pollinators

Illinois' Orange Wildflowers: A Summer Attraction for Pollinators
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Illinois Promotes Route 66 Tourism with Centennial Passport Program

Illinois Promotes Route 66 Tourism with Centennial Passport Program

Illinois Promotes Route 66 Tourism with Centennial Passport Program
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Karen Nilsen-Kern's Passing: Community Mourns and Honors Her Legacy

Karen Nilsen-Kern's Passing: Community Mourns and Honors Her Legacy

Karen Nilsen-Kern, a resident of Bensenville, Illinois, passed away on July 6, 2026, at the age of 72. Born in Chicago, she was the wife of the late Gordon W.G. Kern Jr. and is survived by her daughter Mckenzie Kern. A visitation was held on July 20, 2026, at Geils Funeral Home in Bensenville, with private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary or the American Mustang Institute.
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Memorial Service Announced for GeriAnn Ortega in Woodridge, IL

Memorial Service Announced for GeriAnn Ortega in Woodridge, IL

GeriAnn Ortega, a resident of Woodridge, Illinois, has passed away at the age of 61. She is survived by her son, Jesse Ortega, and her father, Anthony, along with several siblings and extended family members. A memorial gathering is scheduled to take place on July 25, 2026, at Knollcrest Funeral Home in Lombard, Illinois. The service will provide an opportunity for family and friends to pay their respects and celebrate her life. The family has requested that memorials be made according to their wishes, and the interment will be private.
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Diane Konstantelos, Founding Member of Greek Orthodox Church, Passes Away at 86

Diane Konstantelos, Founding Member of Greek Orthodox Church, Passes Away at 86

Diane Manolis Jeanne Konstantelos, a founding member of Sts Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, Illinois, passed away on July 16, 2026, at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her husband, Demetri (Jim) Konstantelos. Diane is survived by her children, Dean, Christopher, and Eleni, and her grandchildren, Olivia, Audrey, Evelyn, and Chloe. A visitation is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at N.H. Scott Funeral Home in Glenview, followed by a funeral service on July 20, 2026. The family has requested that memorial gifts be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in her honor.
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GeriAnn Ortega's Memorial Service Scheduled in Woodridge, IL

GeriAnn Ortega's Memorial Service Scheduled in Woodridge, IL

GeriAnn Ortega, a resident of Woodridge, Illinois, passed away at the age of 61. She is survived by her son, Jesse Ortega, and her father, Anthony, along with her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering is planned for Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Knollcrest Funeral Home in Lombard, Illinois. The service will begin at 1:00 PM and continue until 3:30 PM, followed by a private interment. The family has requested that memorials be made according to their wishes.
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Illinois Faces Unhealthy Air Quality as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Returns

Illinois Faces Unhealthy Air Quality as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Returns

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has returned to Illinois, causing air quality to remain at 'unhealthy' levels, according to AirNow, a platform that aggregates data from various air quality agencies. The smoke, which had previously moved out of Illinois into Michigan and Wisconsin, was pushed back by a cold front on Saturday night. Gino Izzi, a senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service, noted that the smoke is expected to linger in Illinois throughout Sunday before potentially moving back across Lake Michigan. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an air pollution alert for all sectors of the state, except for St. Louis Metro East, indicating that air quality could be 'unhealthy for sensitive groups.' This situation highlights the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, which is contributing to more frequent and severe wildfires.
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Illinois Faces Unhealthy Air Quality Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke

Illinois Faces Unhealthy Air Quality Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has returned to Illinois, causing air quality to remain at 'unhealthy' levels. According to AirNow, a platform that aggregates data from various air quality agencies, the smoke re-entered Illinois on Saturday night after initially moving out to Michigan and Wisconsin. Gino Izzi, a senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service, noted that the smoke is expected to linger in Illinois throughout Sunday before potentially moving back across Lake Michigan on Monday. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an air pollution alert for all regions of Illinois, except the St. Louis Metro East area. The alert indicates that air quality is at or above unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, including individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, teens, and children.
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Joanne M. Bazata's Life Celebrated in Brookfield Memorial

Joanne M. Bazata's Life Celebrated in Brookfield Memorial

Joanne M. Bazata, a long-time resident of Brookfield, Illinois, passed away at the age of 93. She was the beloved wife of the late Ronald Bazata and a cherished mother and grandmother. A memorial visitation and celebration of her life are scheduled to take place on August 8, 2026, at the Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home in Brookfield. The event will provide an opportunity for family and friends to gather and honor her memory. Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family through the funeral home's website.