Thursday, July 16, 2026

CPD Alert: Burglary Crew Hitting Businesses in Greater Midway Area

 Just issued today by CPD:


PATTERN #P26-1-062A
DATE July 16, 2026

ABOUT THE CRIME - COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES
This alert gives notice to citizens in the 008th District (Chicago Lawn) of recent Commercial
Burglaries during the month of July. In these incidents, unknown subject(s) break the front glass
window/door of a business with a brick and make entry. The unknown subject(s) take cash
registers and exit and flee in below listed vehicle. These incidents have occurred in the general
geographical locations listed below:

INCIDENT DATES AND LOCATIONS
• 6900 Block of West Archer Ave on July 6, 2026 at 4:19 AM. (Garfield Ridge)
• 6100 Block of South Archer Ave on July 6, 2026 at 05:15 AM. (Garfield Ridge)
• 6300 Block of South Archer Ave on July 6, 2026 at 5:26 AM. (Garfield Ridge)
• 6600 Block of West Archer Ave on July 6, 2026 at 5:26 AM. (Garfield Ridge)
• 5000 Block of South Pulaski Ave on July 16, 2026 at 4:00 AM (Archer Heights)
• 5000 Block of South Pulaski Ave on July 16, 2026 at 4:10AM (Archer Heights)
• 5200 Block of South Archer Ave on July 16, 2026 at 4:13AM (Archer Heights)
• 5200 Block of South Archer Ave on July 16, 2026 at 4:16AM (Archer Heights)
• 5900 Block of South Pulaski Ave on July 16, 2026 at 4:20AM (West Lawn)
• 5800 Block of South Kedzie Ave on July 16, 2026 at 4:26AM (Gage Park)
• 5100 Block of South Pulaski Ave on July 16, 2026 at 5:00AM (Archer Heights)

OFFENDER(S) DESCRIPTION
Four unknown males wearing masks, gloves and dark clothing last seen driving a white Kia
sedan.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Keep the perimeter of your property well lit
• Keep doors and windows secured
• Empty registers and secure money before closing
• Immediately report suspicious activity
• Never pursue a fleeing assailant, provide the information to the police
• If video surveillance is available, save a copy of the incident for investigating detectives
• If approached by a witness to the incident, request their contact information
• If you are a victim do not touch anything, call police immediately
• Immediately dial 9-1-1 and remain on the scene when possible.

If you have any information, please contact Area One Detectives at 312-747-8384 or
submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #26-1-062BA

# # #


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Friday, June 26, 2026

Swing By Durkin Park This Sunday to Help Family Fight Childhood Cancer

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post 


Weather forecasters are calling for hot summer temperatures to return this weekend.

And ready to beat the heat with thirst-quenching lemonade are Scottsdale residents Yuri Jacobo, Victor Gomez and their three children: Gael, 7, and twins Sebastian and Damian, age 18 months.

The young family will be selling lemonade and possibly a few other treats from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at Durkin Park, 8445 S. Kolin.


All proceeds from the sale of lemonade will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, which helps fund scientific research.

Both Yuri and Victor grew up on the Southwest Side, graduating from Kelly High School in 2016. They have been married for 10 years and moved to Scottsdale seven years ago.

"This is a nice neighborhood," Yuri says. "There are a lot of friendly people who help each other."

Sebastian was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and is currently undergoing a second round of chemotherapy.

On top of that, Victor is fighting his own health challenges and is on a waiting list for a kidney donor.

At the lemonade stand at Durkin, glasses of the refreshing drink will not have a specific price; rather, customers are asked to dig deep and donate what they can. Cash will be accepted. Those paying electronically will be given a QR code that will enable them to donate via the internet.

Those unable drop by on Sunday may still donate at https://www.alexslemonade.org/contribute/7.

Those who want to donate directly to Sebastian's family may visit https://tinyurl.com/4rxcbmzk.

About Alex's Lemonade Stand

Alexandra "Alex" Scott of Pennsylvania was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday.

When she was age 4, she told her parents she wanted to set up a lemonade stand in their front yard. Her plan: to give the money to doctors to help them find a cure.

Her first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” (held with the help of her older brother, Patrick) raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. 

While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the remarkable girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands — donating the proceeds to her cause.

In 2004, when Alex passed away at the age of 8, her stand and inspiration had raised more than $1 million toward finding a cure for the disease that took her life.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents in 2005 to continue the work that Alex began. Since its inception, it has raised more than $300 million and funded over 1,500 research grants to help kids fight cancer.



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Monday, June 15, 2026

Clearing Softball Star Named Head Coach at St. Laurence High School

SWCP Editor's note: Abby Ramirez-Battaglia grew up in Clearing, getting her start in softball with Clear-Ridge Little League. She attended St. Symphorosa School and graduated in 2009.


From our friends at St. Laurence High School:

"St. Laurence High School is proud to announce the hiring of Abby Ramirez-Battaglia as the school’s new head softball coach.

"Ramirez-Battaglia brings a wealth of experience as both a high-level athlete and mentor to student-athletes. She most recently served five seasons as an assistant coach at DePaul University, where she helped lead the Blue Demons to a BIG EAST regular-season title and was a member of the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021.

"She also previously spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Northwestern University.

"Ramirez-Battaglia enjoyed a prolific playing career, including seven seasons of professional softball with the Chicago Bandits and Athletes Unlimited, competing against some of the world’s best players.

"At the University of Michigan, she was a three-time Big Ten champion and three-time All-Big Ten selection. She was also a member of Michigan’s 2015 national runner-up team.

"At Trinity High School in suburban River Forest, Ramirez-Battaglia was named the 2013 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior after hitting 20 home runs in a single season. She currently ranks second in Illinois High School Association history in career hits.

"As a student, Ramirez-Battaglia was a four-time U-M Athletic Academic Achievement recipient and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Michigan and her master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern in 2019.

“We are thrilled to welcome Abby Ramirez-Battaglia to the St. Laurence family,” said Tim Chandler, St. Laurence vice president of athletics. “Abby understands what it takes to compete at the highest levels of softball while also developing strong character and leadership skills. Her passion for the game and commitment to student-athlete development make her an outstanding fit for our program.”

"As head coach, Ramirez-Battaglia will lead a growing St. Laurence softball program that has enjoyed tremendous success during its first nine seasons. The Vikings have won five consecutive IHSA regional championships, four consecutive Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division championships and finished fourth in the state in Class 3A in 2025.

"Ramirez-Battaglia will begin working with players immediately in preparation for the 2027 season.

"I want to thank President Joe Martinez, Athletic Director Tim Chandler, and the entire Viking community for welcoming me and trusting me as the new leader of their softball program,” said Ramirez-Battaglia. “This opportunity is especially meaningful to me because of my connection to the school and community, and I look forward to building upon the strong foundation of the program. There is tremendous potential here at St. Laurence and I cannot wait to get to work."

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Friday, June 12, 2026

Police Warn of Home Burglars in Area

By Tim Hadac
Southwest Chicago Post

Looks like the burglary crew that's been hitting Southwest Side homes is still at it, according to Chicago Police.

According to an updated list released at 12:14 a.m. Friday, June 12, the crew has hit homes in the:

• 6000 block of South Mobile on May 30.
• 4700 block of West 51st Street on June 3.
• 3200 block of South Western on June 5.
• 3200 block of South Western on June 6.
• 2400 block of West Bross on June 7 and 8.
• 4300 block of South Komensky on June 8.
• 5300 block of South New England on June 8.
• 3800 block of West 46th Place on June 10.

The burglars were described as one to five men with light to medium brown complexion. They fled in a dark colored SUV.

Those with useful information to share about the crimes are ecouraged to callI CPD Area 1 detectives at (312) 747-8380 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com, using crime pattern P26-1-055. 

In the meantime, CPD officials advise:

• Keep the perimeter of your property well lit.
• Keep doors and windows secured.
• Immediately repair any broken windows, doors or locks.
• Immediately report suspicious activity.
• Do not let strangers into your home.
• Never pursue a fleeing assailant. Instead, provide accurate, descriptive information to the police.
• If video surveillance is available, save a copy of the incident for investigating detectives.
• If approached by a witness to the incident, request their contact information.
• If you are a victim, do not touch anything. Call police immediately at 911 and remain on the scene when possible.



 

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Friday, June 5, 2026

Daley College Offers 'Game Changer' Pathway for Engineering Students

Just sent to us from the City Colleges of Chicago:

The new engineering pathway is officially open and offered at Richard J. Daley College for Fall 2026, providing students a direct route to an engineering degree. To highlight this exciting launch, we sat down with the Districtwide Dean of the School of Engineering, Dr. Doris Espiritu, to discuss the program:

Q: What makes the new engineering pathway at Richard J. Daley College such a game-changer for our students?

A: "We are thrilled to bring our highly-lauded engineering pathway to the Daley College community. Offering it at Daley helps  students learn engineering while staying close to home. A shorter travel distance make it easier to balance work, life, and school.”

Dr. Doris Espiritu speaks with students.

Q: Who is the ideal student for this new Daley College engineering program?

A: "Our students are talented and driven. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or a returning adult learner, if you have a passion for math, science, and solving real-world problems, you belong in this program. We provide all the mentorship and support you need to succeed."

Working with robotics is just one things student engineers do at Daley.

Q: What kind of hands-on experience or support can students expect when they enroll?

A: "Students get deeply immersed in collaborative learning, local engineering competitions, and prestigious internships. Our holistic support structure—including mentorship, faculty office hours, and strong university partnerships—ensures that our students are well-prepared for both the workforce and future academic rigor."

Daley College attracts highly motivated learners from across the city.

Q: How does this program help graduates after they finish their time at Daley College?

A: "We prepare our students to hit the ground running. Our graduates regularly win major scholarships, secure paid apprenticeships, and successfully transfer to renowned institutions. Many of our alumni are already working in the field and mentor current City Colleges students to follow in their footsteps."

A degree in engineering opens doors to a wide range of high-paying careers.


Q: Enrollment for the Fall 2026 semester is officially open. What should interested students do next?

A: "The future of engineering starts right here at City Colleges of Chicago, and we want all our communities to be part of it. Students can also transfer as a junior without losing any credits. The program features structured, guaranteed transfer agreements with top-tier engineering institutions:
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC): Direct pipeline to the prestigious Grainger College of Engineering.
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT): Includes a $30,000 annual scholarship upon transfer and an option for an accelerated master's degree.

"City Colleges of Chicago Engineering students gain access to elite, resume-building opportunities before they even step foot on a four-year campus. Many students participate in summer internships at institutions like NASA, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab).

"I highly encourage aspiring engineers to apply today and reach out to our team,” said Dr. Espiritu. For more info, email engineering@ccc.edu or visit https://engineering.ccc.edu/application-process/.

Engineering coursework at Daley College is rigorous, but also enjoyable.





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Thursday, June 4, 2026

All Invited to Run (or Walk) a 5K in Bedford Park, to Help Kids With Cancer

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

All are invited to participate in the 5th Annual Love Smiles Fox Trot 5K, set for Saturday, June 20 in Bedford Park, specifically 6652 S. 78th Avenue.

This family-friendly event helps support the mission of the non-profit Love Smiles organization, a group that brings comfort, literacy and smiles to children battling cancer. 

What to Expect:

• Timed 5K Run/Walk
• Family-friendly atmosphere
• Race shirts and medals
• Community vendors & supporters
• A meaningful cause that directly impacts local families

To register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/BedfordPark/LoveSmilesFoxTrot5K.

Can’t attend but still want to help? Donations can be made here:

https://givebutter.com/5thAnnualFoxTrot5K

Background

Love Smiles was founded by Bedford Park native Jenna Kmitch, who gave birth to her daughter, Sydney in February 2020.

From the Love Smiles website: "I thought my world had changed- but I had no idea.  At two months we discovered a small lump sticking out of the side of her neck. She was sent to an endocrinologist and an ENT. All of her tests were showing as normal. After multiple scans the ENT said the excess tissue forming this lump should be taken out as it sat where her carotid artery split.

"So surgery it was and the surgery went great- yet just six days later I sat in our hospital room holding that same beautiful little girl listening to the doctor as he used the words malignant, tumor and cancer to talk about Sydney, my baby.
Sydney as an infant battling cancer.


"I told him he was wrong. My baby couldn’t have cancer. She was only four months old. The pediatric oncologist came and we talked a lot about tests and treatments and hope. We were lucky. Her cancer, Neuroblastoma, was well researched they knew how to treat it. 

"Over the next few weeks and months I had no idea the ride we were in for. Sydney went through multiple tests every couple of weeks. After just a couple rounds, the cancer wasn’t getting smaller, it was slowly growing. She went through another complete round of tests, scans and bloodwork. It was determined that the next step was chemotherapy. My eight month old would go through eight rounds of chemo and she handled all of them better than I could have ever imagined.   

"As her mom I went through the rollercoaster of emotions everyone told me I’d feel. I felt angry that this happened. I felt sad that moments felt robbed. Guilty because my baby would be OK, they knew how to treat it, who was I to be angry or sad?

"From all of those feelings and tears a beautiful thing was made, an organization named Love Smiles that brings authors and pediatric cancer families together. I wanted to give other parents the peaceful moments I had found. Fall into a story with your child, snuggle together, listen and forget everything else. Forget the tests, endless appointments and procedures. Have a normal moment with your child listening to a story. 

"Out of all the stories we’ve read and listened to, Sydney’s is by far my favorite. It has introduced us to so many amazing people we wouldn’t know and taught us so many things about the incredible kids who battle cancer. My favorite part of her story though is just four words, Sydney is in remission."

Fast forward to 2026. Sydney just graduated kindergarten and is a healthy, active, cheerful little girl.
Sydney and Jenna today.


Love Smiles continues its mission to serve children fighting cancer, and their families.

The group works mostly through hospitals with pediatric oncology units. In the Chicago area, that means Lurie, Loyola, UIC, Northwestern, Christ and others.

Jenna was a reading specialist in elementary schools for 15 years. "I’m a book person," she likes to say.

“A friend asked, 'When do you and Sydney feel the best?' And I said, 'You know what? At night, when I read her a story, because all the other noise goes away. I’m not thinking about the hospital bag I have to pack for the next day. I’m not thinking about what her schedule’s like for the next week. I’m just focused on this one thing with her.'”

“And we got really lucky because Sydney was going to be OK. But I met a lot of other parents who I knew their kids weren’t going to be OK. And I said I can’t fix this for anybody...but maybe I can give them that five or ten minutes of peace every day."

Love Smiles conducts charitable drives around the year, collecting books, coloring books, crayons, pencils. Those supplies are shipped to pediatric oncology units across the nation. The goal is to bring comfort and hope to pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Will you please help?

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