Niles Journal

03/18/2025

Those who ride the iron horse (and others), you have a new place to rev up your morning at a new motorcycle-themed coffeehouse, Grind N Gears Cafe, on Oakton Street in Niles.

Motorcycles of all types -- including a Harley Davidson parked above the front counter -- adorn the new Grind N Gears Cafe, which opened in January in a former automobile service station in Niles.

03/18/2025

It's time for everyone Around Niles to vote, yes in the local elections, BUT ALSO for who of Niles' best and brightest will be recognized at the Niles Chamber of Commerce Night of Roses Community Awards Banquet.
See the link to vote in this story.

The Niles Chamber of Commerce opened public voting Friday for its Night of Roses community awards nominees through links on the chamber website and social media pages. Voting is open through Wednesday, April 9 for two or three nominees in eight categories.

03/14/2025

The back of the box section of a box truck caught fire at a loading dock in Niles. A small fire, with no injuries, and the truck was even safe to drive after the fire. Niles Fire officials are still investigating the cause.

The outside of a box truck caught fire, which was quickly extinguished, Friday afternoon (March 14) at the loading dock of Patel Brothers grocery store in Niles.

03/14/2025

We have an update on the opening of Koulas, a new restaurant run by famed award-winning chefs, Chef Jimmy Bannos and his son Jimmy Bannos Jr. Bannos Sr. said they are hoping for a late May or early June opening.

Members of the Niles Finance Committee on March 4 considered a $600,000 request for additional tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for a new restaurant but recommended village trustees approve $400,000.

03/14/2025

Meet your Niles Park District candidates. We received candidate questionnaires from 3 of 4 park board candidates. Here is Julie Genualdi's.

The Journal & Topics sent Niles Park Board candidates running in the Tuesday, April 1 election questions on their backgrounds and plans for office. The following was completed by incumbent Niles Park Board Commissioner Julie Genualdi. Early voting begins on Monday, March 17.

03/14/2025

Meet your Niles Park District candidates. We received candidate questionnaires from 3 of 4 park board candidates. Here is Joe LoVerde's.

The Journal & Topics sent Niles Park Board candidates running in the Tuesday, April 1 election questions on their backgrounds and plans for office. The following were completed by Niles Park Board candidate Joe LoVerde. Early voting begins on Monday, March 17.

03/14/2025

Meet your Niles Park District candidates. We received candidate questionnaires from 3 of 4 park board candidates. Here is Scott O'Brien's.

The Journal & Topics sent Niles Park Board candidates running in the Tuesday, April 1 election questions on their backgrounds and plans for office. The following were completed by incumbent Commissioner Scott O’Brien. Early voting begins on Monday, March 17.

03/05/2025

Here's what slowed traffic on Milwaukee Avenue during Friday's rush hour.

The engine compartment of a Hyundai SUV caught fire in the southbound lanes of Milwaukee Avenue just north of Touhy Avenue in front of the Niles Police Station during Friday afternoon’s rush hour.

03/05/2025

Niles Mayor George Alpogianis shot himself in the foot, and leg last month. He and a co-worker were treated and released.

While removing a small shotgun from the office of his restaurant in Morton Grove at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Niles Mayor George Alpogianis dropped the weapon and it discharged, injuring himself and a co-worker.

03/03/2025

We recently learned about Niles' plan to replace lead water service lines, now the village has awarded contracts to start the 12-year program of replacements, pending approval of a $4 million IEPA 0% interest loan.

Village of Niles graphic showing where water service lines are in relation to typical homes. Niles trustees awarded a $4 million construction contract and authorized Acting Village Manager Mark Janek to sign Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) loan application documents for the upcoming....

02/28/2025

The Niles-Maine District Library has a new policy for some instances if ICE agents come calling. Some areas, including where certain classes are taking place in some cases are no longer considered public, requiring a judicial warrant.

US Dept. of Homeland Security Logo. Niles-Maine District Library trustees adopted a new policy to ensure the rights and privacy of patrons -- if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were ever to arrive at the library to search or make inquiries. “This policy establishes procedures...

02/27/2025

What do you like or want to see improved at the Niles-Maine District Library? A community survey, the first step in creating a new strategic plan, is now available on the library's website and in hard copy at the library.

Niles-Maine District Library officials are beginning a community outreach initiative as they update the library’s strategic plan, which sets priorities and guides decision-making at the library for years to come.

02/26/2025

Here's why Milwaukee Avenue near Newark was backed up yesterday around noon.
Niles Police
Niles Fire Department
Around Niles

A blue Jeep Renegade, involved in a two-vehicle crash that sent two to an area hospital late Tuesday morning, briefly shut down all lanes of Milwaukee Avenue after it struck a street light, causing the pole to fall across the road.

02/26/2025

No, the Empire did not take over the Niles-Maine District Library. Here is our coverage, complete with a gallery, of Sunday's library Fandom Fest, returning for the first time since 2019 drawing people from Around Niles and galaxies far far away.

More than 400 people from across the Northern suburbs, Chicago, and galaxies far, far away flocked to the Niles-Maine District Library last Sunday (Feb. 23) for Fandom Fest, a celebration of all things pop culture, similar to larger Comic Con events.

02/25/2025

'Tis the season of fluctuating temperatures and water main breaks. Fortunately for Niles, the two Around Niles this weekend weren't nearly as bad as the recent major break in Skokie.

Niles Public Works crews repaired two water main breaks over the weekend.

02/25/2025

Village of Niles Trustees are expected to take a first look at a proposed 7-story mixed-use development at Harlem & Touhy at a 6:15 p.m. informal consideration meeting tonight at village hall before the regular 7 p.m. village board meeting. Neighbors living near the development got a very first look at the proposal last Thursday at a meeting with village staff, developers, and Mayor Alpogianis. Village officials promised more neighborhood meetings.

Neighbors living on N. Nora Avenue took their first look at plans for a seven-story, mixed-use residential and retail luxury apartment building at the northeast corner of Harlem and Touhy avenues on Thursday, Feb. 20.

02/23/2025

At Niles-Maine District Library Fandom Fest today attended by more than 400 people from the city, suburbs and galaxies far far away.

02/20/2025

Village of Niles officials announced the launch of a pilot program for federally mandated lead water service line water replacements. There is no upfront cost to homeowners and the village will pay for the replacements all the way from the water main, past the B-Box into the home. Although there are no upfront costs to homeowners, the village recently increased and restructured water rates to build up reserves to qualify for a no-interest loan to finance the project.

Niles is launching the first pilot phase of a 12-year lead line replacement program -- without an upfront cost to homeowners -- with notices sent to the residences of 315 homes qualified for the program last week.