Igor Studenkov

Words - @NilesJournal, Chronicle Media, @streetsblogchi, @EvRoundTable and others. Proud @AustinWeeklyChi and @FP_Review alumnus. @headlineclub board member.

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Articles

Transit Agencies To Plan For Cuts After Illinois House Misses Deadline

3 days ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

Waiting for a train on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. (Journal file photo)The Illinois General Assembly failed to pass a bill that would have brought the CTA, Metra and Pace the funding they need to avert a fiscal cliff coming in 2026 before the regular session adjourned after midnight last Saturday (May 31). The three transit agencies and the agency that supervises them, the Regional Transportation Authority, are facing a combined $770 million financial shortfall as pandemic-era federal sti...
West Fest Returns With Rides, Kids Games

3 days ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

West Fest from previous year. Claw pendulum ride when it was not going upside down. (Photo by Maine West Athletic Booster)West Fest, the carnival celebration at the end of the school year, returns to Des Plaines’ Maine West High School this week, kicking off on Thursday (June 5) and ending on Sunday (June 8). As usual, the fest will feature carnival rides, games and plenty of food. Organized by the Maine West Athletic Boosters, it is the organization’s biggest fundraiser, bringing in $28,000 l...
Transit agencies prepare for service cuts as state fails to pass funding bill

5 days ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Igor Studenkov

Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a bill at session’s end on May 31 that would give Chicago-area transit agencies the funding they need to avert an impending fiscal cliff. The bill, which also included significant changes to the current transit governing structure, passed the Illinois Senate but failed to pass the Illinois House in time.
Union Pacific gives Metra ultimatum as negotiations over access stall

1 week ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Igor Studenkov

After years of negotiations, Union Pacific Railroad has given Metra an ultimatum: Compromise on fees to use UP tracks or face higher fees starting July 1. Since 2019, Union Pacific has been trying to get out of the commuter rail business, ending the contract to operate three Union Pacific lines on Metra’s behalf. This includes Union Pacific North line, which has three stations in Evanston.
Evanston and Saint Francis hospitals earn A grades

1 week ago | evanstonroundtable.com | Igor Studenkov

The two hospitals serving Evanston continued to do well on safety assessments compiled by the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization that advocates for safety and transparency in United States hospitals. Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital both scored a letter grade of A for their overall safety in Leapfrog’s spring 2025 analysis, released this month.
Memorial Day Parade Draws Organizations, Officials

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

2025 Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade (Photo by Igor Studenkov/Journal & Topics Reporter)This year’s Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade featured plenty of officials, organizations, businesses, and reflections on the meaning of the holiday. (Photo by Igor Studenkov/Journal & Topics Reporter)Residents lined Prospect Avenue and the edges of Hodges Park as the parade reached Uptown and made its way toward the city hall at around 10:20 a.m. Monday. As usual, Park Ridge American Legion Post 247 or...
Park Ridge Church To Bless Bikes, Scooters

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church procession advertises the upcoming Bless the Bikes event during the 2025 Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade (Photo by Igor Studenkov/Journal & Topics Reporter)St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 305 Prospect Ave., wants to encourage bike safety as the weather warms up with its annual bike blessing ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. right outside the church. It will feature a short prayer service followed by the blessing. Clergy will bless ...
‘Park Ridge Pride’ Returns With Music, Performances June 5

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

Attendees fill tents set up for Thursday, June 20, 2024's first, yet rainy, Pride fest organized by Park Ridge Community Church. (Photo by Igor Studenkov)The Park Ridge Pride celebration will return to Hodges Park next Thursday, June 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. The first Park Ridge Pride event was organized last year by Park Ridge Community Church with support from other Park Ridge churches, businesses and organizations. It was held on June 20 and attracted decent crowds in spite of rainy weather. Thi...
Departing Parks Commissioner Thanks Staff, Pays Tribute To Predecessor

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

While the Park Ridge Park District Board of Commissioners election wasn’t competitive this year, the May 15 park board meeting still marked the changing of the guard. Unlike the other three incumbents whose terms ended in 2025, Commissioner John Tunnell chose not to run for reelection. This meant that new candidate Laurie Mallin, the only other person to run, won by default. John TunnellCurrent board President Cindy Grau, who retained that role after the usual post-election board officer elect...
Park District, Dist. 207 Look To Formalize Evacuation Site Arrangement

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

Bikes and trikes fill the Centennial Park parking lot for April 26 event. (Patrick Jasionowski/Special to the Journal)Park Ridge Park District and Maine Township High School Dist. 207 are mulling an agreement that would allow Maine South High School students and staff to shelter at the nearby Centennial Fitness Center in the event of an emergency. Jenny Meyers, the park district’s risk and safety manager, told the park district Board of Commissioners on May 15 that they already have this kind ...