Family, Friends of Late Frankfort Teen Turn Out for Gov. to Sign 'Julie's Law'

Julie Gorczynski's family and friends attended a special ceremony Friday, where Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law to help stop situations like the one that took Gorczynski's life from happening again. The Frankfort teen died in a car crash in Orland Park.

If there was a shared sentiment Friday morning as Gov. Pat Quinn signed "Julie's Law" at a special ceremony at Lincoln-Way North High School, it was bittersweetness, the idea that something positive could come out of tragedy of Julie Gorczynski's death. Gorczynski was killed last summer after the car she was in was hit by a driver going more than 35 mph over the speed limit in Orland Park. The driver had been placed on court suspension seven times previously, all for excessive speeding. A week before the accident, the Frankfort teen had graduated from L-W North, and a week later, she was to turn 18. READ: Frankfort Teen Dies in Traffic Accident Family members, friends and government officials joined the governor at the signing Friday for …

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State Senator Backs Bill to Improve Mental Health

State Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) is a newsmaker this week. She is pushing for a state-wide system for mental health services that would be created by an Illinois bill.

Maggie Crotty, the Democratic state senator serving Tinley Park, is pushing for legislation that would create a statewide system for mental health services. Crotty is teaming with the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois on the measure. This group originated the legislation, which would allow the Department of Human Services to create the plan. “Each person who suffers from a mental health disorder is unique and requires different levels of care and attention,” Crotty said. “I am working to ensure that there are choices available for those seeking out mental health services.” Read more about Crotty and the piece of legislation. Looking for Good News and Inspiration Today? Browse through Patch's Greatest Person of the …

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Frankfort Teen's Tragic Death Inspires Proposed State Traffic Law

The bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Maggie Crotty in memory of Julie Gorczynski, would mandate stiffer penalties for speeders in certain situations, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Proposed legislation that would require tougher penalties for drivers traveling at least 25 mph over the speed limit was passed by the State Senate on Friday, a Chicago Tribune report stated. READ: Sharing Julie Gorczynski With the World The measure--known as Julie's Law--was sponsored by Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) in remembrance for Julie Gorczynski, a Lincoln-Way North High School student who died in a car crash in Orland Park last year. Gorczynski, 17, of Frankfort, was killed last June after the 1997 Jeep Cherokee she was riding was hit by a 2009 Mazda driven by a 21-year-old man from Lemont. The Mazda was traveling at least 76 mph in a 40-mph zone, the Tribune report stated. Gorczynski would have turned 18 in less than a week. …

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Diane

8:40 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

get real rrm he should have learned to stop freaking speeding long ago.... maybe you should have been in the car when the accident occured...he killed her instantly!!!!!!!!!!! ! not going to happen if he was doing the limit honey. yeah he's not 16 anymore..... just think what they would do to pretty boy in county at 16....... he ruined a perfect family....... he feels no REMORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …   more ›

Meet the Candidates: Hannon and Hastings Talk Family, Qualifications and Political Goals

Get to know your candidates for the 19th Illinois state senate district. Catch these videos of the two who are vying for the senate seat that will soon be vacated by Maggie Crotty.

  Candidates for the Illinois senate's 19th district were among those squaring off last month in an area political forum. The event was hosted in Hazel Crest Feb. 25 by Team HOPE and the Democratic Women of the South Suburbs. Villlage of Tinley Park trustee Greg Hannon faced off against opponent Mike Hastings, of Orland Hills. Both are hoping to succeed State Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) who's not seeking re-election. She dropped out of the race in late December, citing her desire to spend more time with family.  The Patch towns in the district include Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these two by watching the accompanying videos before you step into…

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Carrie Frillman

8:30 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012

Thanks for sharing this, Gloria. I hope people are educating themselves about these two candidates and most importantly, I hope they show up to vote this Tuesday.   more ›

What Would You Ask Election Candidates?

Democracy isn't a spectator sport. Tell us the questions you'd like us to put to the candidates.

The March primary elections are nearing, and Patch editors want know: What would you ask the candidates running for office? Patch wants to cut through the rhetoric and get to the heart of the issues you care about. And, we think you know best what those issues are. Your questions are important to us. Patch will be on the forefront of every election that matters to you. We’ll be asking the tough questions—your questions—and getting the important information back to you. What You Can Do Leave a question in the comments below for the candidates. Be sure to mention if the question is for a specific candidate. Who's Running? Want to find out who's running for local seats? Read the stories below: Trustee Greg Hannon Sets His Sights on Senate …

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State Sen. Crotty Drops Out of 19th District Race

State Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) wants to spend more time with her family, report says.

Trustee Greg Hannon Sets His Sights on Senate Seat

Hannon plans to run for the seat currently held by Maggie Crotty, according to reports.

Tinley Park Village Trustee Greg Hannon told area media last week that he intends to run for a state Senate seat. According to a story in the Sun-Times Media: "Hannon confirmed last week that he is circulating nominating petitions in a bid to run for the 19th District state Senate seat held by Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest). Hannon told the Sun-Times that he filed his nominating petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections on Monday. Crotty has said she plans to run in the 19th District again. Hannon has been a trustee since 1987. READ: Quinn Signs Off on District Lines, Giving Tinley New Representation   Looking for more government news? Township Expresses Gratitude for Electronics Recycling, Shredding and Fundraiser Turnout …

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Carrie Frillman

12:19 am on Friday, December 9, 2011

Thanks for commenting on this, 4th Wright. These are questions we'll be answering throughout election season. Stay tuned :)   more ›

Tinley Legislators Split on Death Penalty Ban

The four legislators who cover Tinley Park were split down party lines in the recent vote that banned the death penalty.

The Illinois State Senate voted to ban the death penalty in a 32-25 vote Tuesday afternoon. The ban passed the House last week and now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for approval. Illinois has not carried out an execution since former Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty 10 years ago. That decision came after several Death Row inmates were found to be innocent. According to an article by Reuters, Quinn said he must "reflect" on the issue before deciding whether to sign the bill into law. Here's how your local legislators voted (a "Yes" vote means the legislator voted in favor of the ban):

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Illinois' 66% Income Tax Hike: Here's How Tinley Voted

The four state legislators whose districts include Tinley Park split on the measure approved along party lines Wednesday morning.

The Illinois General Assembly passed a 66 percent personal income tax increase, with the Senate approving the bill early Wednesday morning by a 60-57 vote along party lines.     According to an Illinois Statehouse News report, personal income tax rates will climb to 5 percent from the 3 percent; the corporate income tax will raise to 7 percent, up from 4.9 percent. Both increases go into effect immediately. The increases are expected to generate more than $6 billion annually in order to pay down the state’s deficit, which is close to $15 billion this year, the news report said. The bill now awaits Gov. Pat Quinn's signature. Messages left for Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park) and for Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) were not returned by…

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Despite Loss, Wojcik Proud of Race Against Crotty

Updated to include final results.

It was a staggering loss, with state Sen. M. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) nearly doubling the vote tally of challenger Kirby School Board member Adam Wojcik. And Wojcik said he couldn't be prouder. "I couldn't be more proud of the fact that we ran and we ran a very honest and fiscally responsible campaign," Wojcik said Wednesday morning. Crotty will stay in the 19th District seat after beating Wojcik 45,751-23,137 in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results from Cook and Will counties' clerk's offices. As of Wednesday morning, all of the Will County precincts in the district and 180 of the 182 Cook County precincts in the district had reported. EDITOR'S NOTE: When the last two precincts reported Wednesday afternoon, the …

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