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The Shopper 07/15/2026

Page 1

July is National

PICNIC MONTH

Wednesday • July 15, 2026

More than $560,000 Secured for 15th District libraries HOMEWOOD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III announced 26 public libraries and school districts across the 15th District are set to receive more than $560,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades. “Public libraries are one of the few places where every person can walk through the doors and access knowledge, opportunity and community without cost,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “These grants help ensure libraries in every corner of Illinois have the resources they need to keep shelves stocked, expand access to technology and continue serving as trusted community anchors for families, students, job seekers and lifelong learners.” More than $27 million was awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.

• Manteno CUSD 5 - $1,425 • Peotone CUSD 207U - $1,025 • South Holland School Dist. 150 - $850 • South Holland School Dist. 151 - $1,053 • Thornton Township High School Dist. 205 - $3,559 • Bremen CHSD 228 - $4,125 • Harvey School Dist. 152 - $1,174 • Homewood School Dist. 153 - $1,551 • Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD 233 - $2,351 • Midlothian School Dist. 143 - $1,265 • Beecher Community Library Dist. - $11,541 • Crete Pub. Library Dist. - $29,068 • Dolton Pub. Library Dist. - $86,144 • Flossmoor Pub. Library - $16,497 • Harvey Pub. Library Dist. - $67,177 • Homewood Pub. Library Dist. - $33,184 • Manteno Pub. Library Dist. - $20,997 • Markham Pub. Library - $19,824 • Midlothian Pub. Library - $24,353 • Peotone Pub. Library Dist. - $28,647 • Phoenix Pub. Library Dist. - $27,634 • South Holland Pub. Library - $168,553 • East Hazel Crest Pub. Library Dist. - $2,174 • Thornton Pub. Library - $10,956

In Harris’ district, 14 public libraries and 12 school districts received funding, including:

A full list of public and school libraries receiving grant funding can be found here - https://www.ilsos. gov/news/2026/june-23-2026-giannoulias-announces-27-million-investment-to-build-safer-strongerlibraries-for-illinois-families.html

• Beecher School Dist. 200U - $879 • Brookwood School Dist. 167 - $889

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Real Estate Questions & Answers CATHY & JIM HIGGINS Question: What are the benefits of selling my home by owner? Seems like I can save some money while placing my home on the internet. I will call a real estate agent out to give me a price on my home. Answer: The risk of disaster totally outweighs the possibility of you saving some money selling on your own. Realtors will reach a lot more buyers, because they will add your home to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Thousands of Realtors belong to this service and with them they bring many buyers. In addition, ALL 700+ home search sites take the home information from the MLS, so no matter where a buyer searches for their next home, they will find it, because of the MLS. You will need to ensure that the buyers who look at your home have been pre-approved by a lender. There are different loan programs and different preapprovals. Not knowing which you should choose is the difference between a stress-free transaction and a nightmare. Also, why would you let a strangers walk through your home without knowing anything about them? Police have warned Realtors that for sale by owners and open houses can lead to your home being checked out by criminals. They look for cameras, valuables, prescription drugs.

Of course, not everyone looking is a criminal, but why take the chance? Realtors have a relationship with the buyers and make sure they have a pre-approval from a reputable lender. They have the experience to give you good advice. You will also have to deal with home inspections, appraisal, and other contractual items. Sure, an attorney can help, but they are not trained or have experience in selling homes. The philosopher John Ruskin said: “It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money that’s all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.” Also, if you don’t intend to use a realtor to sell your home, but want him to price your home, at least pay him for his time. Why should he work for free so you can save money selling on your own? Thinking of Selling? Call Cathy & Jim Higgins: Ind: 219-577-5905 Ill: 708-828-3304. Licensed Broker/ Realtors in Indiana & Illinois. McColly Real Estate. Website: www. Cathyhiggins.com. Personal Real estate Journal: www.Higginshousechat. blogspot.com

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Parents Urged to Do Their Homework Before Buying an E-Bike for Their Children As electric bikes become increasingly popular, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging parents to do their homework before purchasing one for their child, warning that many marketed as e-bikes are actually much faster and more powerful devices that pose safety risks. To help families make informed choices, Giannoulias released a new public service video today as part of the Secretary of State’s Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign and directs parents to a new online E-Bike Buying Guide that explains the differences between low-speed e-bikes, high-speed e-bikes and e-motos, outlines Illinois’ new proposed safety standards and offers practical tips for selecting a safe, age-appropriate device. The buying guide encourages parents to: • Understand the difference between e-bikes and e-motos. • Verify a device’s speed and motor power. • Understand Illinois’ e-bike classifications and age

requirements. • Buy from reputable retailers. • Make sure the e-bike properly fits their child. The guide also warns that some online marketplaces advertise high-speed e-motos as e-bikes, creating confusion for consumers and increasing the risk that parents could unknowingly buy a device that is inappropriate for a young rider. The PSA and buying guide are part of the Secretary of State’s broader effort to improve micromobility safety following the General Assembly’s approval of Senate Bill 3484, which establishes Illinois’ first comprehensive statewide framework for regulating high-speed e-bikes, e-motos and other electric mobility devices. If signed into law, the legislation would take effect on January 1, 2027. Parents can view the PSA on the Secretary of State’s YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/@ILSecofState – and access the E-bike Buying Guide at the Secretary of State’s micromobility safety website – www.ilsos.gov/oneroad.

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