Around the Southland: New fire truck in Oak Forest, Metra line work to cause delays, more

Chicago Tribune

24-07-2025

The Oak Forest Fire Department has a new weapon in its arsenal to fight fires: a new fire truck.
The 2025 Pierce Ascendant 107-foot ladder truck replaces a 2001 Pierce truck that served the department for 20 years.
A 'push-in' ceremony took place July 14 at Fire Station 2, 4907 W. 167th St., that included a blessing of the truck followed by the truck being pushed by hand into its bay in the firehouse.
The ceremony dates back to the days of horse-drawn fire apparatus when horses could not back equipment into the firehouse. The crew would unhitch the horses, wash the equipment and push it into the apparatus bay.
As part of the construction associated with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's $650 million expansion of the South Shore Line, the Metra Electric Line will operate on a Sunday schedule July 26 and 27, with buses replacing trains between Millennium Station and the 18th Street Station.
In addition, the Van Buren Street and Museum Campus/11th Street stations will be closed. Shuttle buses will not be able to accommodate bicycles, and it's recommended travelers don't bring heavy luggage.
Pace Paratransit vehicles will shuttle ADA customers and those who have difficulty using stairs via the McCormick Place busway between the Millennium and McCormick Place stations. Vehicles will not stop at the Van Buren Street, Museum Campus or 18th Street stations. Schedules are at metra.com.
The cross-country team at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park will join the Crosstown Classic Run for a Cause, a student-led event that raises money for BEDS Plus, a nonprofit organization that works to end homelessness in the southwest suburbs.
The event steps off at 3 p.m. July 26 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, continues along the lakefront path and finishes at Rate Field. Runners will wear either a Chicago Cubs or a Chicago White Sox jersey, depending on which team brings in the most money before the race.
This is the team's second year to join the run, inspired by then-junior Jackson Canellis who issued a summer challenge to the team last year, raising $10,000. 'I saw a way to turn something I love into real impact,' he said via a news release. 'This year we're scaling it up with a goal to help even more families and kids get back on their feet.'
BEDS Plus, based at 9601 Ogden Ave. in La Grange, offers emergency shelter, meals, housing and case management to families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Last year it served more than 5,000 individuals in 3,320 households. To donate, visit beds-plus.org/crosstown-classic-run-for-a-cause or call 708-354-0858.
A nearly $47,000 grant to the Flossmoor Police Department from the 2025 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program, funded by federal highway safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation, will be put toward enhanced traffic safety enforcement efforts designed to reduce crashes and save lives.
'We are grateful for this grant, which allows us to increase our enforcement of impaired driving, seat belt, speeding and other traffic safety laws under the banners of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Click It or Ticket, and Drive High, Get a DUI,' Flossmoor Police Chief Carl Estelle shared in a news release.
Enforcement campaigns such as Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, will be emphasized to promote safer driving habits and raise awareness.
Families are encouraged to participate in the Stagg Track and Field Summer Classic Track Meet, which has been rescheduled to the evening of July 31 at Stagg High School, 111th St., Palos Hills.
Attendees can participate in a range of activities, such as a mile run for older participants, field events such as the high jump and long jump and a 25-meter dash for toddlers. Anyone 2 and older may join in.
The event, which draws between 60 and 100 people, will raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America after the event founder's mother died from complications related to the disease.
It's organized by Zach Spoor, chairman for social studies, foreign languages and art at Stagg.
Advance registration is suggested at staggtf.com. Registration that day is 4 to 5 p.m. with the first event at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for individuals and $30 for families. Clothing and food will be available.
Jane Chan, a sophomore at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, advanced through multiple rounds of interviews during SkillsUSA's weeklong National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, competing in the Job Interview category.
That category requires contestants to fill out an employment application, introduce themselves to a receptionist and participate in an in-depth interview. Chan, who competed against 39 other state champions from across the country, placed in the top eight nationally.
Before earning a top spot at nationals, Chan won first place in Job Interview and second place in Customer Service and Extemporaneous Speaking while competing with 53 other students. It was her first year to participate in SkillsUSA.
The Franciscan Health Foundation of South Suburban Chicago hosts Home Team Healthcare Hero Night on July 26 at The Windy City Thunderbolts' Ozinga Field, 14011 S. Kenton Ave. in Crestwood.
The event benefits the Employee Wellbeing Fund, which helps employees overcome and manage burnout by providing opportunities for 'mental escapes encouraging mindfulness, creativity and relaxation,' a news release noted.
Gates open at 4 p.m. and the first pitch is just after 6 p.m. and include live entertainment for Jimmy Buffet Night as well as fireworks after the game, split-the-pot raffle, 90-minute buffet, access to the Kids' Zone and a cash bar and private party decks.
Tickets cost $30 and are available at www.franciscanhealthfoundation.org/healthcarehero. The first 200 people to enter the ballpark that night with Home Team Healthcare Hero Night tickets get a swag bag.