Major League Rugby championship set for Bridgeview
Major League Rugby has announced the league will bring its 2023 Championship Match to the home of its newest expansion team, the Chicago Hounds.
SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview will host the final on July 8.
“Moving the championship match to a predetermined venue has long been a goal of Major League Rugby,” Major League Rugby CEO Nic Benson said in a release. “As the league continues to show an exceptional pattern of growth, we believe this is the perfect time to plan an entire weekend of fun rugby and fan events around our showcase game. Chicago’s rich history of hosting large scale rugby events combined with a great facility in SeatGeek stadium, makes for the perfect place to celebrate and honor our athletes and fans.”
The Championship Match will be the culmination of an all-day block party festival to be held at SeatGeek Stadium. During the lead up to the game, the block party will feature competitive rugby games at all levels together with local food and drink offerings and a live music festival atmosphere.
“We are excited to showcase all that American rugby has to offer through its remarkable growth from top level men’s and women’s club games to youth rugby and everything in between,” majority owner of the Chicago Hounds Peter Bernick said in a release. “The weekend will feature Chicago’s food and music scene while building toward the Major League Rugby Championship Match on Saturday afternoon at SeatGeek. We expect a full house for what will be a fantastic weekend and can’t wait to bring this event to Chicago.”
In future seasons, Major League Rugby intends to allow venues, both within and outside the league, the opportunity to host the Championship Final.
Wolf Road bridge over I-80 closing
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that a project to replace the bridge carrying Wolf Road over Interstate 80 in Mokena and Orland Park was planned to resume March 29.
To accommodate the work, a full closure of Wolf Road between 183rd and 187th streets will be required through late August. A posted detour will direct motorists to 191st Street, LaGrange Road and 179th Street. Motorists also should expect occasional overnight lane closures and lane shifts on I-80 approaching Wolf Road throughout the project.
The $4.7 million project, which consists of replacing the existing bridge with a new wider structure, installing new storm sewers, along with resurfacing and landscaping, is anticipated to be completed later this fall.
Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.
Overnight Tollway closures in Justice for bridge work
Overnight local road closures with detours will be scheduled over the next two weeks on Roberts Road and 87th Street to accommodate mainline bridge beam placement on the Central Tri-State Tollway Project. Up to two weeks of closures will be needed to complete the work.
The temporary closures are necessary to safely complete placement of bridge beams on I-294 over Roberts Road and 87th Street in Justice.
The full roadway closures with detours will be scheduled on both Roberts Road and 87th Street under I-294. The local road closures will be scheduled between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. The roads will not be closed simultaneously.
In addition, on I-294 overnight lane closures in both directions will be scheduled as needed.
On 87th Street under I-294, beginning March 29, up to three nights of full roadway closures will be scheduled. During the 87th Street closures, a posted detour will route traffic via Cork Avenue, 95th Street and Harlem Avenue.
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Once work at 87th Street is complete, beginning Tuesday, April 4, up to three nights of full roadway closures will be scheduled on Roberts Road under I-294. During the Roberts Road closures, a posted detour will route traffic via 95th Street, 88th Avenue/Cork Avenue and 79th Street.
To accommodate bridge replacement work, traffic is currently reduced in both directions on Roberts Road and 87th Street. Traffic will remain in this configuration through 2023 for bridge work.
Silver Cross Foundation hosts Silver Social
The Silver Cross Foundation will hold its second annual Silver Social fundraiser to benefit lung services at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
The event, “Just Breathe,” will be from aa a.m. to 2 p.m. April 14 at CD & ME in Frankfort.
“We now have a better way to detect and treat lung cancer before it can spread. But people need to get screened,” said Dr. Kristopher McDonough, board-certified pulmonologist on staff at Silver Cross. “Using highly advanced robotic technology called ION, we are able to more easily detect and then remove lesions in small areas of the lung previously unreachable except by invasive surgery.”
Tickets for the Silver Social are $125 and include lunch, a raffle, robotic demonstrations and program. Raffle tickets will be sold at the event for chances to win a variety of experiences, services and specialty items. Participating and Underwriting Sponsorships are also available and range between $500 and $10,000 and include pre- and post- event recognition and event tickets.
Purchase Silver Social tickets and sponsorships at www.silvercross.org/giving/events/silver-social or by contacting the Silver Cross Foundation at 815-300-7105.
Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].