Olivia Stevens

Olivia Stevens is a reporter for the Daily Southtown. She was previously an intern for the Tribune‘s politics desk, responsible for covering the Illinois state legislature. She is a 2023 University of Minnesota graduate and interned for Minnesota Public Radio and the Salem Statesman Journal in Oregon before moving to Chicago.

The Cook County Fifth Municipal District Courthouse in Bridgeview. (Daily Southtown file photo)

Man charged with resisting arrest and battery of 2 Orland Park police officers not detained

April 14, 2026 at 4:03 p.m.

Daniel Schmidt was charged after Orland Park officers were treated Sunday at Northwestern Palos Community Hospital and released.

Dolton firefighters picket ahead of a Village Board meeting on April 6, 2026. (Nick Desideri)

Dolton interim fire Chief Quentin ‘Q’ Curtis takes leave amid union concerns

April 9, 2026 at 3:58 p.m.

Dolton firefighters asked that interim fire Chief Quentin "Q" Curtis be discharged, but Mayor Jason House said he agreed to a leave.

Thornton Township Trustee Chris Gonzalez talks to attendees of a Thornton Township meeting in October 2024. Thornton Township Supervisor Napoleon Harris announced on Wednesday that Gonzalez had died. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Thornton Township Trustee Christopher Gonzalez, who raised concerns about former Supervisor Tiffany Henyard, dies

April 9, 2026 at 11:23 a.m.

Chirtopher Gonzalez was first elected Thornton Township trustee in 2021, and served under Frank Zuccarelli and Tiffany Henyard.

Fire Lt. Adam Farej, who is president of the the Dolton Professional Firefighters Association, raises concerns about the interim fire chief's qualifications and damaged equipment during a picket of Village Hall on April 6, 2026. (Nick Desideri)

Dolton firefighters raise concerns about interim chief, broken equipment after picket of Village Hall

April 8, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.

The Dolton firefighter's union raised concerns about leadership by Quention “Q” Curtis, appointed interim fire chief in September.

Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge, right, speaks after the Village Board approved the purchase of the former Riviera Country Club and a feasibility study for a TIF district for the southeast corner of 159th Street and LaGrange Road. (Olivia Stevens/Daily Southtown)

Orland Park considers TIF for southeast corner of 159th Street and LaGrange Road; buys former Riviera Country Club

April 7, 2026 at 3:04 p.m.

Orland Park said a developer needs incentives to build residential and commercial spaces behind the Pep Boys on LaGrange Road.

Oak Lawn police. (Daily Southtown staff)

Person of interest identified in shooting death of 76-year-old Oak Lawn resident

April 6, 2026 at 2:44 p.m.

Maryanne Buss-Kincaid was found dead in her home Sunday on the 9400 South Block of 53rd Court in Oak Lawn.

Lania Smith was on the pom squad at Hyde Park Academy High School and looking forward to her prom before she was killed after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Monday, her family said. (Shaliah Maddox)

Hyde Park high school student killed in Dolton hit-and-run

April 3, 2026 at 1:27 p.m.

Lania Smith was on Sibley Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive when she was hit by what Dolton police believe to be a Corvette.

Four people were killed March 26 after a fire at this home on Chalet Court in Crete, including two Monee Elementary School students and one Crete-Monee High School student. (Olivia Stevens/Daily Southtown)

Investigators say Crete house fire that killed 4 was electrical

April 3, 2026 at 11:27 a.m.

A house fire that killed a 71-year-old man and three students was likely electrical and started accidentally, investigators said.

Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz participates in a village board meeting on Dec. 16, 2025. (Addison Wright/Daily Southtown)

Orland Park resident charged with threatening and intimidating elected officials including Tinley Park mayor

April 3, 2026 at 9:50 a.m.

Michael Henry charged with threatening Mayor Michael Glotz, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau.

Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge presents achievements of his first year in office to about 240 people on March 31, 2026. (Olivia Stevens/Daily Southtown)

Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge highlights retail development, increased police staffing in village address

March 31, 2026 at 4:25 p.m.

Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge touted retail developments and increased police staffing during his first year in office.

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