Saturday, May 18, 2013
Here's the story of Marlene Konkoly, who found creative ways to spend less and save more so she can retire at 50. This story is the first in our series about Extreme Savers.
Americans may be living longer, but our retirement plans aren’t keeping up. Which means people are living longer with smaller bank accounts. But Marlene Konkoly will retire at age 50. How did she do it? She contributes a whopping 45 percent of the gross annual income she earns as a procurement officer for an automotive finance company to her retirement—all while owning a home and remaining debt-free. Konkoly is actually well ahead of the retirement savings curve compared to many of her fellow Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fewer than half of Americans even know how much money they would need to retire. And nearly a third of employees who had access to a defined contribution plan such as a 401(k) did not participate …
As part of our new Smart Spending series, Patch wants to uncover the true going rate for various goods and services in town, so you'll know exactly how much you should pay for what you need. Help us out by replying in the comments.
This week: How much do lawn services cost? How much do you pay for your lawn service? And what does that cover - just mowing, or does it cover weeding, pruning, planting? Please share in the comments below - we promise we won't judge you! And if you've got a lawn service you love, tell us that too. You can check out some local lawn care professionals in our directory here. This is the first of an ongoing series, "What's the Going Rate for..." where Patch seeks to uncover how much things cost so you never have to ask again.
We spotlight an exceptional pet available for adoption from a local rescue.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
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Yesterday
By Katie Bertoglio-Harris Looking for a dog who is out of this world?!? Meet Dr. Spock! It is not too often that Chicago Canine Rescue gets huskies, so if you are a fan, act fast! Dr. Spock is a really sweet young husky mix. He is around 9 months old and 40 pounds, so he is a nice size. He has awesome blue eyes, and a great personality to match! He can be a bit shy at first, but he warms up quickly. He just needs the stability of his own family! Dr. Spock is a northern breed, so there are certain traits you should be aware of if you are considering adopting this handsome fella. Anyone who has been around these dogs knows how wonderfully plush their coats are! Great to pet and snuggle with (especially in the winter!), but be …
Friday, May 17, 2013
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 for doctors in the state to prescribe marijuana as pain relief for severe medical conditions, sending the bill to Gov. Pat Quinn for final signing. 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) saying, urging lawmakers to pass the legislation as a compassionate measure for those suffering with extreme pain. In opposition, Sen. Kyle McCarter…
The newly launched site offers tips, info and digital know-how for small business owners.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Plans to rehab the Purple Hotel in Lincolnwood are no more.
Lincolnwood Mayor Jerry Turry told Patch there was once a point when residents asked him how they could obtain a brick from the iconic Purple Hotel. At the time, speculation spread throughout the community that the site would be demolished. Those rumors would later be dismissed, however, after Skokie based developer North Capital, LLC purchased the site with plans to redevelop and rehab the structure. Now, those residents may get their wish. The Purple Hotel is going to be demolished, according to Chicago Real Estate Daily. The sale of Lincolnwood's Purple Hotel was confirmed in late May by The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The site was purchased by Jake Weiss, founder of North Capital, for $8.3 …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
More than a dozen firefighters were on scene as they put out a two story fire near the intersection of Church Street and Crawford Avenue on Wednesday around 4:45 p.m.
Johnson Shino walked into Anuyu Hair Studio, 4015 Church St., expecting to get a haircut. Instead, he saw a lot of smoke and a whole lot of firefighters. "There was no 'boom,'" Shino said making a gesture with his hands. "Only smoke. It was very quiet" At about 4:45 p.m., Wednesday, smoke from a first floor business caused an entire building to be shutdown and evacuated. Windows of a second floor apartment unit were busted out and the smell of smoke was faint in the air. An office next to the hair salon showcased wet carpet from the water used to put out the blaze above. There were at least four firetrucks on scene. A Skokie Fire Department official said there were no serious injuries. He also added that no one was transported to the …
Three area healthcare business owners - one from Skokie, another from Morton Grove and the other from Park Ridge - are said to have submitted more than $4 million in false medical claims over a four month period, the DOJ said today.
Three health clinic co-owners are among seven defendants charged with engaging in five separate, unrelated health care fraud schemes to defraud the Medicare program or private health insurers of millions of dollars, federal law enforcement officials announced today. Ankur Roy, Akash Patel and Dipen Desai, who owned and operated Selectcare Health, Inc., which provided outpatient physical and respiratory therapy in Park Ridge and Skokie, were charged with submitting more than $4 million in false billings to Medicare between March and July 2011, according to authorities. Between March and July 2011, the defendants allegedly submitted $4,009,094 in false billings for services that were purportedly provided between April 2010 and April 2011, …
State Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is sponsoring legislation to increase mandatory limited liability insurance requirements for Illinois drivers.
State Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is sponsoring legislation to increase mandatory limited liability insurance requirements for Illinois drivers, according to a press release issued today. “This is an important measure aimed at protecting our roads and drivers,” Fine said. “Over the past 20 years, the prices of goods and services have increased but minimum coverage for auto liability insurance has not. An increase in the minimum coverage will help better cover costs for drivers involved in traffic accidents.” Under current law, Illinois’ mandatory minimum auto liability insurance coverage requirement is among the lowest in the country. The bill raises coverage for bodily injury or death of one person from $20,000 to $25,000 and for two or …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Following the death of 9-year-old Carter Vo, construction has begun near at the intersection of Main Street and Central Park Avenue for several traffic signals.
Signs reading “Slow down. Save a child” are still up near Main Street and St. Louis Avenue almost a year after 9-year-old Carter Vo was struck and killed by a vehicle. Now, workers operating large yellow construction trucks are building several traffic signals in the area. Vo was killed at the intersection of Main Street and St. Louis Avenue on May 20, 2011. Following the death, the village conducted several studies, reduced the speed limit on Main Street and approved the construction of several traffic signals slated to be built near the area. The $308,687 construction begun recently. The devices will be built at the intersection of Main Street and Central Park Avenue, with the contract going to Lake Villa-based Home Towne Electric Inc…
Gordon
12:09 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
bargin! Name of firm please more ›