Joe Mahr – Page 33 –

Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg at a city council meeting Dec. 8, 2014.

Harvey taxpayers facing lower bills, severe cuts amid levy battle

June 16, 2018 at 6:47 a.m.

In a nearly unprecedented level of political brinkmanship, city of Harvey aldermen have failed to approve collecting a property tax levy — a move that could prompt drastic budget cuts...

This LifeSafer monitor is an example of a breath alcohol ignition interlock device.

New DUI law lets arrestees drive — with an alcohol detection device

June 16, 2018 at 8:49 a.m.

Amid the traditional holiday crackdown on drunken driving, Illinois will begin a major philosophical shift in how it punishes DUI — a shift that has the unusual support of both...

Donna Gerlich examines paperwork next to her husband, Carl, in their Tinley Park home April 29, 2015. The Gerlichs were featured in a Tribune investigation, published in June, that found the village knew for years that some water meters led to overbilling. The Tribune has found the Gerlichs could be owed more than the refund they have received so far.

Tinley Park couple still wait for resolution on faulty water meter charges

May 23, 2019 at 7:01 p.m.

Donna Gerlich recalls the unusual meeting to which she was summoned by officials in her village last month. Gerlich had been featured in a Tribune investigation of Tinley Park's faulty...

Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg, shown in 2014, is battling several aldermen over fiscal issues and has threatened to lay off a number of city employees.

Harvey threatens to lay off half its employees amid tax levy fight

May 22, 2019 at 9:07 p.m.

A south suburb is threatening to lay off half the town's police and other workers as part of a widening political dispute in a place long known for high crime,...

Roy McCampbell, middle, walks with attorneys Craig Tobin, left, and Sean Sullivan through the lobby of the Hon. George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012.

Retiree awaiting corruption trial still getting $21,000-a-month pension

June 16, 2018 at 9:57 a.m.

Five years after the Tribune exposed a suburban official's questionable $472,000 annual pay — and three years after he was indicted over it — the official continues to collect a...

Bob Soga, a former Tinley Park water meter employee shows a smart meter in his home in Tinley Park on Thursday, April 9, 2015. The southwest suburb of Tinley Park has installed water meters into homes that it knows has overcharged some residents.

Tinley Park unveils $6.5 million plan to replace troubled water meters

May 23, 2019 at 7:01 p.m.

Tinley Park on Tuesday unveiled a $6.5 million plan to replace all of the controversial water meters installed in residents' homes. The proposal comes six months after the Tribune exposed...

The Chicago Park Hotel at the intersection of Interstate 294 and Halsted Street in Harvey is seen on June 21, 2013. The city of Harvey gave the hotel's developer millions of dollars in loans, but the place remains abandoned and half-gutted.

Developer in Harvey hotel deal asked for help avoiding jail, FBI says

June 16, 2018 at 11:48 a.m.

Five years ago, a suburb's comptroller received an unusual plea from a developer given millions in taxpayer-funded loans. "Please help me avoid going to jail." Recently obtained court records show...

Aldermen Christopher Clark, from left, Joseph Whittington, Shirley Drewenski and Lamont Brown listen to public comments Aug. 4, 2015, during a special meeting at Harvey City Hall.

Aldermen sue Harvey mayor, moving political stalemate to court

June 16, 2018 at 12:11 p.m.

In an usual political move even for a troubled local suburb, a majority of Harvey aldermen have sued the longtime mayor and city clerk, alleging the two have unlawfully kept...

Ex-Countryside police chief in prison loses six-figure pension

August 19, 2019 at 12:19 a.m.

Nearly nine months after he admitted to misusing money meant for a police nonprofit, a former suburban police chief had his six-figure pension revoked Wednesday in a case that highlighted...

The water meter is shown in April in the home of Elaine Buck, of Tinley Park.

Tinley Park water meter report criticized as ‘propaganda’

May 23, 2019 at 7:01 p.m.

In the first answer to a scandal involving water meter inaccuracy and overcharging, a consultant hired by Tinley Park acknowledged problems with the meters but downplayed the significance — sparking...

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