WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own

Ukraine-Russia crisis update: When could Ukraine become a member of the EU?

Posted: 23 Jun 2022 06:23 AM PDT

Journalist and editor of 'Ukrainian Freedom News' Joseph Lindsley joined Bob Sirott from Ukraine to deliver the latest news on the Ukraine-Russia crisis, including when Ukraine could become a member of the EU and how soldiers are getting the supplies they need. You can find more updates on Joseph's website, ukrainianfreedomnews.com. To donate to Joseph and his team's efforts to distribute supplies throughout Ukraine, click here.

Thought Leader Dan Barrins on commercial real estate inflation

Posted: 23 Jun 2022 05:30 AM PDT

Dan Barrins (Senior Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Group at Associated Bank) joins Steve Grzanich in Associated Bank Thought Leader conversation, and this week they talk about how inflation is impacting the commercial real estate market. Steve and Dan close the conversation with the bright side and how there is a positive on the horizon from the current market situation.

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Your Hometown: Homewood, June 30

Posted: 22 Jun 2022 10:01 PM PDT

Home Sweet Homewood. WGN Radio's Your Hometown series features Homewood on Thursday, June 30.

One of the oldest villages in south Cook County, Homewood is located 25 miles south of the Loop. The first Europeans came to the area in the 1830s along the Vincennes Trace, a buffalo migration route later traveled by Native Americans and traders. Dixie Highway, the first national road linking northern states to southern states, runs through Homewood's historic downtown and follows the Vincennes Trail.

The village was first named Hartford by James Hart, who planned out its first downtown district. In 1853, the Illinois Central Railroad built a station in Hartford and called in Thornton Station. In 1869, the village was renamed Homewood, as a homage to its "homes in the woods", and then incorporated on February 2, 1893.

Homewood's location on the Illinois Central Railroad was crucial to its growth and development. In the 1920s, Homewood evolved from a farming community to a suburb. Recreation drew many to the area and golf courses blossomed. Up to ten trains daily made the roundtrip from Chicago, offering special schedules just for golfers. Several early golf clubs still operate today including Flossmoor Country Club, Ravisloe, Idlewild, and Olympia Fields.

People also flocked to Homewood for horse racing. Washington Park Race Track opened on July 3, 1926, and was located west of Halsted just outside the village bounds. The track hosted special races between famous horses of the day and ran the American Derby until 1957. Fire destroyed the grandstands in 1977 and the track never reopened.

Outdoor activities remain popular for residents. The H-F Park District has over 365 acres with parks and recreation across the communities of Homewood and Flossmoor. Today, Homewood retains the feel of a "country town", but is accessible to downtown Chicago with Amtrak and Metra service as well as I-80 and I-294 within reach.

A few people with ties to Homewood include:

  • Ben Bradley, WGN-TV
  • Aja Evans, Olympic Bronze Medalist bobsledder
  • Dr. Seun Adigun, first ever Summer and Winter Olympian for the continent of Africa, founded the Nigerian bobsled team in 2016. She graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
  • Sarah Bloom Raskin, former United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School
  • George Nolfi, screenwriter, director and producer who attended James Hart Junior High School and Homewood-Flossmoor High School. His screenwriting credits include "Ocean's Twelve", "Bourne Ultimatum", and "The Adjustment Bureau".
  • Casey Driessen, American bluegrass fiddler and singer who attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School.

Your Hometown featuring Homewood is sponsored by McDonald's, Homewood Disposal, and Katz Milanec.

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