Tea Party Group Protests Outside IRS Office in Downers Grove

Dozens rallied along Butterfield Road on Tuesday following revelations that the Internal Revenue Service placed additional scrutiny on the tea party and other conservative groups.

Dozens of tea party activists rallied outside the Internal Revenue Service office in Downers Grove on Tuesday to protest the tax agency's improper targeting of conservative groups. The crowd stood along Butterfield Road, just outside the Esplanade office building, for more than an hour, waving "Don't Tread on Me" flags and chanting anti-IRS slogans. Some activists held signs calling for the IRS to be abolished and likened the agency's actions to Nazi Germany. The Tea Party Patriots organized more than 100 protests at IRS offices across the country Tuesday afternoon. In Illinois, protests were held in Downers Grove, Chicago, Rockford and Springfield. "Our purpose is to bring awareness across the country about the disturbing and illegal …

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Lemont Village Administrator Leaving for Position in Wisconsin

Village Administrator Ben Wehmeier confirmed Thursday that he will leave Lemont at the end of June to become the administrator of Jefferson County, WI.

Lemont Village Administrator Ben Wehmeier will leave his position next month to become the new county administrator for Jefferson County in Wisconsin. Wehmeier, who has served as village administrator since 2010, was officially hired by the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. He informed Mayor Brian Reaves of the move earlier this month, and will continue to serve through the end of June. In a phone interview Thursday, Wehmeier said he is looking forward to moving back to his native Wisconsin. "It was a hard decision because I've loved working in Lemont, but I think it's an exciting opportunity for my family to be able to move back home and also for me professionally," Wehmeier said. Wehmeier has served the village of Lemont …

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Medical Marijuana Bill Passed by Illinois Senate; Quinn Last Hurdle

Passed by a 35-21 vote, the bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn, who has not yet said whether he intends to sign it.

By a vote of 35-21, the Illinois Senate approved legislation on Friday that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe marijuana as pain relief for severe medical conditions. The bill now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature. According to the Chicago Tribune, the bill covers 33 specific conditions—including multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV infection—and includes several controls, with a four-year trial program, dosage limits, fingerprinting, background checks and licensed dispensing centers. “This bill is filled with walls to keep this limited,” the paper quoted sponsoring Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), who urged lawmakers to pass the legislation as a compassionate measure for those suffering with extreme pain. In opposition, Sen. …

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DuPage's FEMA Flood Disaster Center Opened in Lisle; Assistance Available

DuPage County residents affected by the mid-April flooding can apply for assistance via the Internet, phone or by going to the Lisle Police Department in person.

The following is a press release from DuPage County: DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin urges residents affected by the recent flood to apply for federal assistance to help alleviate expenses incurred in the recovery process from the April storms. “More than 9,000 DuPage County homes and businesses received extensive damage to their properties from the  April flood. In an effort to help relieve some of the financial burden, the federal government is providing grants and low-interest loans to help cover some of the uninsured costs endured by families. I urge residents to apply for these grants and loans as they continue to work with their insurance companies during this recovery process,” said Cronin.  Throughout the past month, DuPage…

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Lipinski Announces Federal Assistance for Flood Victims

Homes and businesses affected by last month's flooding and winds may qualify for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Federal assistance may be on the way for local residents and businesses hit by last month’s flooding. Congressman Dan Lipinski announced Monday that constituents of Illinois’s Third District residing in Will, DuPage and Cook counties are now eligible to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lipinski was part of an Illinois delegation urging President Obama to back the governor’s request for federal aid following torrential rainstorms and straight-line winds that damaged homes and businesses across the state. Last Friday, the president signed a disaster declaration offering federal aid. The declaration covers those affected by the severe storms and winds between April 16 and May 5. Those applying for federal …

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Lemont Officials Plan Open House for Renovated Village Hall

The village of Lemont will hold an open house and rededication ceremony Monday night for the newly renovated Village Hall.

The village of Lemont will hold an open house and rededication ceremony Monday night for the newly renovated Village Hall. The open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 418 Main St. A rededication ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. Renovations to the 120-year-old Village Hall began last summer and continued through January. The approximately $2.2 million in upgrades included improvements to its lobby, roof, windows, exterior doors, bathrooms and conference rooms. The rededication ceremony will run in conjunction with an open house for the Lemont Area Chamber of Commerce, which recently moved its office from the Main Street Metra Station to Village Hall. The night will conclude with a village board meeting at 7 p.m…

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Giant Particle Storage Ring to Stop in Lemont on Journey to Fermilab

The 50-foot-wide electromagnet will travel 3,200 miles by boat and barge this summer to be part of a new experiment that will study particle physics.