ChicagoTalks - Latest Articlestag:chicagotalks.org,2005:Near-Timehttp://www.near-time.net/images/shared/favicon.icoThe latest articles from the ChicagoTalks space with commentsWelcome to Chicagotalks where Neighborhood News Matters
Near-Time release 2008.42.0 (rev. 27101 - 2008-12-29)2009-01-14T17:53:39ZCurtis Black of Community Media Workshop/news/2009/1/14/illinois-advocates-say-successful-stimulus-package-must-include-affordable-housing2009-01-14T17:48:42Z2009-01-14T17:53:39ZIllinois advocates say successful stimulus package must include affordable housing<div class="mceContentBody"><p> With the <a href="http://communitymediaworkshop.org/newstips/?p=329" target="_blank">still-growing</a> housing crisis at the core of the sharpest economic downturn since the Great Depression, advocates called for affordable housing to be a key component of stimulus and recovery plans.</p><p>"Housing is infrastructure," said Jack Markowski of the Chicago-based<a href="http://www.cicchicago.org/" target="_blank">Community Investment Corporation</a>, alluding to massive infrastructure investments planned in the forthcoming …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p> With the  <a href="http://communitymediaworkshop.org/newstips/?p=329" target="_blank">still-growing</a> housing crisis at the core of the sharpest economic downturn since the Great Depression, advocates called for affordable housing to be a key component of stimulus and recovery plans.</p><p>"Housing is infrastructure," said Jack Markowski of the Chicago-based <a href="http://www.cicchicago.org/" target="_blank">Community Investment Corporation</a>, alluding to massive infrastructure investments planned in the forthcoming stimulus program. "It employs people. It provides the foundation to allow people to be part of the workforce." And with a growing need for energy conservation, "it's part of the green economy.</p><p>"We have proposals that are shovel-ready," he added, speaking at a gathering of over 200 community housing practitioners convened by the <a href="http://www.chicagorehab.org/" target="_blank">Chicago Rehab Network</a> at Roosevelt University Monday.</p><p><a href="/wiki/illinois-advocates-say-successful-stimulus-package-must-include-affordable-housing">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Alyx Sariol/news/2009/1/13/illinois-students-to-embark-on-inauguration-trip2009-01-13T16:12:39Z2009-01-13T16:12:39ZIllinois students to embark on inauguration trip<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 13, 2008 - A group of Illinois students will embark on a once in a lifetime trip on Sunday to witness a piece of history – the inauguration of the country’s first African American president.</p><p>The “<a href="http://centerforcommunityadvocacy.com/WitnesstohistoryTour.html">Witness to History Bus Tour</a>,” organized by Clarence Davidson at the Chicago-based<a href="http://centerforcommunityadvocacy.com/">Center …</a></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 13, 2008 - A group of Illinois students will embark on a once in a lifetime trip on Sunday to witness a piece of history – the inauguration of the country’s first African American president. </p><p>The “<a href="http://centerforcommunityadvocacy.com/WitnesstohistoryTour.html">Witness to History Bus Tour</a>,” organized by Clarence Davidson at the Chicago-based <a href="http://centerforcommunityadvocacy.com/">Center for Community Advocacy</a>, will take approximately 25 students from around Illinois on a free 4-day bus trip to Washington D.C. for the Inauguration on Jan. 20. </p><p>Recognizing the historical significance of the upcoming event, Davidson was inspired to organize the trip as a way for students to be a part of history and engage in numerous learning experiences along the way. </p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/illinois-students-to-embark-on-inauguration-trip">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Alyx Sariol/news/2009/1/12/new-eastside-caps-meeting-addresses-biased-based-policing-homeless-problem2009-01-12T15:58:42Z2009-01-13T16:24:41ZNew Eastside CAPS meeting addresses biased-based policing, homeless problem<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 12, 2008 - Racial profiling, hate crimes and vagrancy were among the issues raised by residents of Chicago’s New Eastside neighborhood during their Beat 124CAPS meeting Thursday. </p><p>The bi-monthly<a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&contentOID=10912&topChannelName=HomePage">Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy</a>meetings aim to address issues, past and present, with officers who work in the area. In concurrence with recent …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 12, 2008 - Racial profiling, hate crimes and vagrancy were among the issues raised by residents of Chicago’s New Eastside neighborhood during their Beat 124CAPS meeting Thursday.  </p><p>The bi-monthly <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&contentOID=10912&topChannelName=HomePage">Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy</a> meetings aim to address issues, past and present, with officers who work in the area. In concurrence with recent media coverage about biased-based policing, guest speaker Sgt. Dan Mahoney from the Internal Affairs Division was on hand to address the issue.</p><p>“The department has a strict policy prohibiting racial profiling and biased-based policing,” said Mahoney. “We are looking to make sure that officers are not engaging in either and we’re committed to stopping this.”</p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/new-eastside-caps-meeting-addresses-biased-based-policing-homeless-problem">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Curtis Black of Community Media Workshop/news/2009/1/9/michigan-avenue-horse-carriage-companies-challenged2009-01-09T16:15:22Z2009-01-11T22:31:39ZMichigan Avenue horse carriage companies challenged<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 9, 2009 - In response to complaints by animal rights activists, one horse carriage company is no longer operating on North Michigan Avenue as of January 1 for violations of city code.</p><p>Kerri Stojack of Ald. Scott Waguespack's 32nd Ward office said the Department of Consumer Services has not renewed the business license …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 9, 2009 - In response to complaints by animal rights activists, one horse carriage company is no longer operating on North Michigan Avenue as of January 1 for violations of city code.</p><p>Kerri Stojack of Ald. Scott Waguespack's 32nd Ward office said the Department of Consumer Services has not renewed the business license of JC Cutters Ltd.</p><p>The company houses its horses in an unpermitted tent on the Chicago River which lacks electricity and running water, and it has racked up numerous complaints from the city's Animal Care and Control Commission for inadequate shelter and unsanitary conditions, with horse's hay mixed with manure and urine. It was the subject of a WMAQ-TV investigation in October (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZJNBo1iqdE" target="_blank">video</a>).</p><p><a href="/wiki/michigan-avenue-horse-carriage-companies-challenged">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Agnes Masnik/news/2009/1/8/chicago-attorney-representing-guantanamo-detainees-discusses-complexity-of-prison-closure2009-01-08T15:58:35Z2009-01-11T22:29:42ZChicago attorney representing Guantanamo detainees discusses complexity of prison closure<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 8, 2009 - Prisoners sit in an 8-by 6-foot cell, built from a wire frame. The cells sit in two rows facing each other out in the open air. They are covered with a tin roof, which traps the heat of the sun. There are no fans or air conditioner provided.</p><p>As …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 8, 2009 - Prisoners sit in an 8-by 6-foot cell, built from a wire frame. The cells sit in two rows facing each other out in the open air. They are covered with a tin roof, which traps the heat of the sun. There are no fans or air conditioner provided.</p><p>As President-elect Barack Obama takes office, one of his highest executive priorities is to close Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, but the new administration will face difficult challenges on how to process the detainees for trial and possible release.</p><p>Jeffrey Colman, a Chicago attorney who has represented prisoners at Guantanamo, said he still has two clients imprisoned there indefinitely.</p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/chicago-attorney-representing-guantanamo-detainees-discusses-complexity-of-prison-closure">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Jessica Rosenberg/news/2009/1/7/chicago-based-project-harambee-works-to-fight-african-aids-epidemic2009-01-07T16:25:58Z2009-01-11T22:27:28ZChicago-based Project Harambee works to fight African AIDS epidemic<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 7, 2009 - Kathleen Harrison was never that interested in Africa.</p><p>But that was 2001 - before the former Loyola University medical professor visited an orphanage for HIV positive children in Kenya. On the long trip home, the images of the parentless children played back in her head. She knew she wanted …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 7, 2009 - Kathleen Harrison was never that interested in Africa.</p><p>But that was 2001 - before the former Loyola University medical professor visited an orphanage for HIV positive children in Kenya. On the long trip home, the images of the parentless children played back in her head. She knew she wanted to help, but was discouraged by the fact that she was just one person. </p><p>That's when she took matters into her own hands.</p><p><a href="/wiki/chicago-based-project-harambee-works-to-fight-african-aids-epidemic">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Christine Iversen/news/2009/1/6/shelter-to-school-conversion-sign-of-the-times-in-south-loop2009-01-06T15:58:43Z2009-01-11T22:41:26ZShelter to school conversion sign of the times in South Loop<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 6, 2009 - With the demolition of the former Pacific Garden Mission building on South State Street complete, <a href="http://www.jonescollegeprep.org/">Jones College Preparatory High School</a>  is gearing up for big change in 2009. Chicago Public Schools has changed construction plans for the now-empty lot immediately south of the school from an extension to a …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 6, 2009 - With the demolition of the former Pacific Garden Mission building on South State Street complete,  <a href="http://www.jonescollegeprep.org/">Jones College Preparatory High School</a>  is gearing up for big change in 2009. Chicago Public Schools has changed construction plans for the now-empty lot immediately south of the school from an extension to a new seven-story, $130 million building. </p><p>The school council announced the change at an open meeting in late November where students, parents and community members gathered to discus the expansion. According to the council, the new building will hold up to 1,200 students, a 60 percent increase over current 750-student capacity. </p><p>"I think it's a good thing," said Christina Richards, a student at Jones, "because a lot of people don't like that there's not a gym right now. It will probably bring more people here."</p><p><a href="/wiki/shelter-to-school-conversion-sign-of-the-times-in-south-loop">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Evan Minsker/news/2009/1/5/uptown-food-pantry-seeing-more-in-need-during-economic-slump2009-01-05T15:59:52Z2009-01-11T22:38:24ZUptown food pantry seeing more in need during economic slump<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 5, 2009 - An economic downturn sprouts many worries. Topping the list for food pantries across the country is, "Will we run out of food?"</p><p>That's the issue the<a href="http://www.juf.org/">Jewish United Fund</a>(JUF) is addressing. A financial crisis means more people in need.</p><p>"We're definitely seeing more people coming to us for …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 5, 2009 - An economic downturn sprouts many worries. Topping the list for food pantries across the country is, "Will we run out of food?"</p><p>That's the issue the <a href="http://www.juf.org/">Jewish United Fund</a> (JUF) is addressing. A financial crisis means more people in need.</p><p>"We're definitely seeing more people coming to us for help as a result of the economic downturn," said Linda Haase, the associate vice president of marketing communications with the JUF.</p><p>And to a food pantry, more people means less food. </p><p><a href="/wiki/uptown-food-pantry-seeing-more-in-need-during-economic-slump">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Erica Christoffer/news/2009/1/2/sudanese-lost-boy-committed-to-improving-life-in-chicago-community-homeland2009-01-02T16:18:56Z2009-01-11T22:36:24ZSudanese Lost Boy committed to improving life in Chicago community, homeland<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 2, 2009 - Standing outside the Deluxe Diner on the North side of Chicago in Rogers Park, Peter Magai Bul towers over the people around him. An acquaintance from the neighborhood swerves around sidewalk pedestrians on his bike and affectionately gives Bul a nod, calling him "Manute Bol" as he passes.</p><p>At …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Jan. 2, 2009 - Standing outside the Deluxe Diner on the North side of Chicago in Rogers Park, Peter Magai Bul towers over the people around him. An acquaintance from the neighborhood swerves around sidewalk pedestrians on his bike and affectionately gives Bul a nod, calling him "Manute Bol" as he passes. </p><p>At 6 feet, 6 inches, Bul doesn't quite reach the retired NBA star's stature at 7 feet, 7 inches. But they do have other things in common: They were both born in Sudan and they both fled the brutal civil war. Now, in the U.S., they both work as activists seeking to educate the community and create change in their homeland.</p><p>Bul serves as president of the <a href="http://www.aycda.org/home.html">Ayual Community Development Association</a>. Maketh Mabior, a fellow Lost Boy and lifelong friend, described Bul as someone who always has a plan, someone who has the answer and someone who works extremely hard.</p><p>"He's somebody who would put himself on the line," Mabior said. "He makes himself busy every day. Sometimes I say, ‘Peter, you have to take a break.' The man is everywhere. He's like an ambassador."</p><p><a href="/wiki/sudanese-lost-boy-committed-to-improving-life-in-chicago-community-homeland">Read more...</a></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Curtis Black of Community Media Workshop/news/2008/12/31/daily-january-peace-vigil-aimed-at-obama-s-agenda2008-12-31T18:51:37Z2008-12-31T19:00:33ZDaily January peace vigil aimed at Obama's agenda<div class="mceContentBody"><p> Dec. 31, 2008 - Peace groups from around the region will hold a daily vigil throughout January in Hyde Park, blocks from the home of President-elect Barack Obama, to show support for the progressive agenda on which Obama ran.</p><p>"We are trying to remain hopeful, but we understand that there is tremendous pressure on …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p> Dec. 31, 2008 - Peace groups from around the region will hold a daily vigil throughout January in Hyde Park, blocks from the home of President-elect Barack Obama, to show support for the progressive agenda on which Obama ran.</p><p>"We are trying to remain hopeful, but we understand that there is tremendous pressure on Obama to step away from the positions he took during the campaign," said Dan Pearson, an organizer for <a href="http://camphope2009.org/">Camp Hope 2009</a>. "We want to show that there is support for him to implement all the changes that he campaigned for."</p><p>Spearheaded by <a href="http://vcnv.org/">Voices for Creative Nonviolence</a> and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Kathy Kelly and joined by groups advocating immigrant rights and action on climate change, Camp Hope will maintain a daily presence at Drexel Square Park, 51st and Drexel, from Jan. 1 to Jan. 19, the day before Obama's inauguration.</p><p><a href="/wiki/daily-january-peace-vigil-aimed-at-obama-s-agenda">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Heidi M. Stallings/news/2008/12/30/legal-groups-cook-county-judicial-recommendations-has-little-sway-on-voters2008-12-30T15:49:31Z2008-12-30T15:50:10ZLegal groups' Cook County judicial recommendations has little sway on voters<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 30, 2008 - When Judge Vanessa A. Hopkins was reelected as a circuit court judge with nearly 70 percent of the vote last month she felt relieved, grateful and vindicated by the voters of Cook County.</p><p>Hopkins is one of three Cook County judges who won reelection despite not having the endorsement …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 30, 2008 - When Judge Vanessa A. Hopkins was reelected as a circuit court judge with nearly 70 percent of the vote last month she felt relieved, grateful and vindicated by the voters of Cook County. </p><p>Hopkins is one of three Cook County judges who won reelection despite not having the endorsement of one of the most prestigious law associations.</p><p>"The Chicago Bar Association did not elect me. The people did," said Hopkins.</p><p><a href="/wiki/legal-groups-cook-county-judicial-recommendations-has-little-sway-on-voters">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Meha Ahmad/news/2008/12/29/obama-win-stirs-mixed-feelings-in-biracial-community2008-12-29T14:55:04Z2008-12-29T14:58:39ZObama win stirs mixed feelings in biracial community<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 29, 2008 - When Angela Pham looks at President-Elect Barack Obama, she sees a black president.</p><p>Pham, 22, who is half Vietnamese, half white, says Obama doesn't truly represent other biracials, citing a speech about race given in March, where Obama focused chiefly on the black community.</p><p>Pham said she's seen Obama …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 29, 2008 - When Angela Pham looks at President-Elect Barack Obama, she sees a black president.</p><p>Pham, 22, who is half Vietnamese, half white, says Obama doesn't truly represent other biracials, citing a speech about race given in March, where Obama focused chiefly on the black community.</p><p>Pham said she's seen Obama reach out to the black community and wishes the president-elect spoke out more to the biracial and multi-racial voters.</p><p>Raised by her white mother, Pham doesn't have strong Vietnamese features. She may consider herself "more white" but identifies as biracial and checks "biracial" or "other" on government forms and college applications.</p><p>She knows what it's like to be raised by the "white side" of the family like Obama, who was raised by his white mother and later by his maternal grandparents, so she wants to be able to better relate to him.</p><p>Richard Schaefer, a professor of black world studies and racial attitudes at DePaul University, said racial identity in American society is socially rather than biologically constructed.</p><p><a href="/wiki/obama-win-stirs-mixed-feelings-in-biracial-community">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Elisa Tavares Bell/news/2008/12/26/chicagoans-complain-about-access-to-city-council2008-12-26T16:18:44Z2008-12-26T16:08:46ZChicagoans complain about access to city council<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 26, 2008 - Chicagoan Bruce Jordan took a day off from work to attend a Chicago City Council Committee meeting last summer, but he sat waiting for almost two hours before learning his alderman would not be there.<br /><br />Jordan, president of Concerned Citizens of Auburn-Gresham, said Ald. Howard Brookins …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 26, 2008 - Chicagoan Bruce Jordan took a day off from work to attend a Chicago City Council Committee meeting last summer, but he sat waiting for almost two hours before learning his alderman would not be there.<br /><br />Jordan, president of Concerned Citizens of Auburn-Gresham, said Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. (21st) did not attend the August zoning meeting at which Jordan and other community residents wanted to voice their safety concerns about a commercial district the alderman wants to develop in their southwest side neighborhood. <br /><br />"I'll take off work for important issues," said Jordan, an 11-year Chicago resident. "But when we go for nothing, it's inconvenient and disappointing."</p><p><a href="/wiki/untitled-4-3">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Travis Truitt/news/2008/12/24/board-to-study-how-cook-county-awards-contracts-to-women-and-minorities2008-12-24T17:12:48Z2008-12-24T17:28:44ZBoard to study how Cook County awards contracts to women and minorities<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 24, 2008 - Looking to save money and increase efficiency in the way minority and women-owned businesses secure contracts, Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman (17th) proposed eliminating a county department earlier this month.<br /><br />Gorman’s move to approve two ordinance amendments that would eliminate the county’s Department of …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 24, 2008 - Looking to save money and increase efficiency in the way minority and women-owned businesses secure contracts, Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman (17th) proposed eliminating a county department earlier this month.<br /><br />Gorman’s move to approve two ordinance amendments that would eliminate the county’s Department of Contract Compliance elicited a request for a roll call vote from Commissioner William Beavers (4th), and later in the board meeting Gorman agreed to send her proposals to a committee for further study.<br /></p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/untitled-4-2">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Erica Christoffer/news/2008/12/23/groups-on-both-sides-of-the-same-sex-marriage-debate-fight-for-change-in-illinois2008-12-23T16:22:27Z2008-12-23T16:22:27ZGroups on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate fight for change in Illinois<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 23, 2008 - Lauren Hasselson and Christy Fairbairn of Bloomingdale know they're up against a tough fight. The couple, who demonstrated against the approval of California's Proposition 8 in Downtown Chicago last month, plan to wed May 2 in a commitment ceremony. They want nothing more than their vows …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 23, 2008 - Lauren Hasselson and Christy Fairbairn of Bloomingdale know they're up against a tough fight. The couple, who demonstrated against the approval of California's Proposition 8 in Downtown Chicago last month, plan to wed May 2 in a commitment ceremony. They want nothing more than their vows to be recognized under Illinois law.<br /><br />Momentum has gained on both sides of this controversial debate since Nov. 4 when three states - Florida, Arizona and California - passed referendums against same-sex marriage.<br /><br />Protect Marriage Illinois board member Peter LaBarbera said his group would like to see even stronger legislation enacted in Illinois.</p><p><a href="/wiki/groups-on-both-sides-of-the-same-sex-marriage-issue-fight-to-change-law-in-illinois">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Leo Moskal/news/2008/12/22/a-makeover-for-welles-park-play-lot2008-12-22T17:56:17Z2008-12-23T15:16:14ZA makeover for Welles Park play lot<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 22, 2008 - As<a href="http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/48f1f9e9-5d6d-4f53-8eb5-49f01a1d5623.cfm">Welles Park</a> in the Lincoln Square neighborhood creeps towards its 100-year anniversary, a group of local residents want to restructure the park's playground.</p><p>The<a href="http://www.friendsofwellesparkplaylot.com/">Friends of Welles Park Play Lot</a> is raising money for the rejuvenation project and hopes to have the necessary funds by the end of …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 22, 2008 - As <a href="http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/48f1f9e9-5d6d-4f53-8eb5-49f01a1d5623.cfm">Welles Park</a> in the Lincoln Square neighborhood creeps towards its 100-year anniversary, a group of local residents want to restructure the park's playground.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.friendsofwellesparkplaylot.com/">Friends of Welles Park Play Lot</a> is raising money for the rejuvenation project and hopes to have the necessary funds by the end of the year. The group, formed in 2006, hopes to raise an additional $330,000, combining it with $470, 000 from the Chicago Park District.</p><p><a href="/wiki/a-makeover-for-welles-park-play-lot">Read more</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Kaitlyn McAvoy/news/2008/12/19/with-inaugeration-coming-whither-2008-campaign-gear2008-12-19T12:52:51Z2008-12-19T12:52:51ZWith Inaugeration Coming, Whither 2008 Campaign Gear?<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 19, 2008 - Long after the polling machines have been put away and the campaign yard signs taken down, political memorabilia stores and online auction sites still have plenty of presidential campaign items to get rid of. Candidate buttons, bumper stickers, T-shirts and masks are still being sold -- even from the losing …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 19, 2008 - Long after the polling machines have been put away and the campaign yard signs taken down, political memorabilia stores and online auction sites still have plenty of presidential campaign items to get rid of. Candidate buttons, bumper stickers, T-shirts and masks are still being sold -- even from the losing candidate. </p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/with-inaugeration-coming-whither-2008-campaign-gear">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />John McCarron/news/2008/12/18/chicago-lawn-neighborhood-serves-as-example-of-growing-foreclosure-crisis2008-12-18T14:25:49Z2008-12-18T14:25:49ZChicago Lawn Neighborhood Serves as Example of Growing Foreclosure Crisis<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 18, 2008 - It was the red dots-scores of little red specks sprinkled across a map of just one neighborhood on Chicago's southwest side-that spoke the loudest.</p><p>Several high-powered experts spoke Dec. 4 in Chicago at a field hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services. But Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 18, 2008 - It was the red dots-scores of little red specks sprinkled across a map of just one neighborhood on Chicago's southwest side-that spoke the loudest.</p><p>Several high-powered experts spoke Dec. 4 in Chicago at a field hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services. But Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), who chairs the subcommittee, and as assistant majority leader figures to play a key supporting role in the upcoming Obama administration, seemed just as impressed by the testimony of the dots.</p><p><a href="/wiki/chicago-lawn-neighborhood-serves-as-example-of-growing-foreclosure-crisis">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Nick Orichuia/news/2008/12/17/new-ordinance-may-bring-higher-costs-for-downtown-valet-parking2008-12-17T02:17:56Z2008-12-17T12:21:59ZNew Ordinance May Bring Higher Costs for Downtown Valet Parking <div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 17, 2008 - Costs for using valet services in downtown Chicago might soon rise under an ordinance proposed by Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) that would require parking companies to have insurance coverage of at least $1 million and prove all their drivers have a valid license.</p><p>This ordinance is long overdue," said Reilly. The …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 17, 2008 - Costs for using valet services in downtown Chicago might soon rise under an ordinance proposed by Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) that would require parking companies to have insurance coverage of at least $1 million and prove all their drivers have a valid license.</p><p>This ordinance is long overdue," said Reilly. The issue, he said, "has only grown more frustrating and more complex Downtown as time has gone by." </p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/new-ordinance-may-bring-higher-costs-for-downtown-valet-parking">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Travis Truitt/news/2008/12/16/ordinance-to-bring-more-winter-classic-revenues-to-wrigleyville2008-12-16T13:06:18Z2008-12-16T13:06:18ZOrdinance to Bring More Winter Classic Revenues to Wrigleyville<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 16, 2008 - Baseball season may be nearly four months away, but Wrigleyville rooftop owners are among the Lakeview businesses looking to cash in on the first hockey game ever played at Wrigley Field.</p><p>Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) last week paved the way for rooftop owners by introducing an …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 16, 2008 - Baseball season may be nearly four months away, but Wrigleyville rooftop owners are among the Lakeview businesses looking to cash in on the first hockey game ever played at Wrigley Field. </p><p>Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) last week paved the way for rooftop owners by introducing an ordinance that would allow fans to view the game from the rooftops on Waveland and Sheffield avenues overlooking the ballpark. </p><p>The New Year's Day game will feature the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Detroit Red Wings in a rare outdoor event the National Hockey League calls the "<a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/eventhome.htm?location=/winterclassic/2009">Winter Classic</a>." </p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/ordinance-to-bring-more-winter-classic-revenues-to-wrigleyville">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Stephanie Gray/news/2008/12/15/city-council-to-consider-ordinance-targeting-parking-company-accused-of-assault-other-abuses2008-12-15T12:50:38Z2008-12-15T12:50:38ZCity Council to Consider Ordinance Targeting Parking Company Accused of Assault, Other Abuses<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 15, 2008 - Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) asked a Chicago City Council committee last week to stop parking companies from booting cars on private property in his West Side ward.</p><p>The Committee on License and Consumer Protection unanimously approved the ordinance, which could go to the full city council as early as Dec. …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 15, 2008 - Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) asked a Chicago City Council committee last week to stop parking companies from booting cars on private property in his West Side ward. </p><p>The Committee on License and Consumer Protection unanimously approved the ordinance, which could go to the full city council as early as Dec. 17th.</p><p>Legally parked residents and business owners in the 32nd Ward -- which includes parts of the Roscoe Village, Bucktown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, among others -- have reported being harassed and, in some cases, assaulted by employees of  <a href="http://globalparkinginchicago.com/">Global Parking Management</a>, said Waguespack.</p><p><a href="/wiki/gray-submission-2">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Jennifer T. Lacey/news/2008/12/12/chicago-youth-protest-police-armed-with-assault-rifles2008-12-12T17:58:46Z2008-12-12T17:59:21ZChicago Youth Protest Police Armed With Assault Rifles<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 12, 2008 - Chicago youth continued to push for a meeting with Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis on Thursday night to discuss his decision to equip police officers with M4 military assault rifles.</p><p>Over 20 youth from the<a href="http://www.swyc.org/">Southwest Youth Collaborative</a> protested in the cold, chanting "One, two, three, four; no …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 12, 2008 - Chicago youth continued to push for a meeting with Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis on Thursday night to discuss his decision to equip police officers with M4 military assault rifles. </p><p>Over 20 youth from the <a href="http://www.swyc.org/">Southwest Youth Collaborative</a> protested in the cold, chanting "One, two, three, four; no more M4s" outside the Chicago Police headquarters before attending a board meeting. </p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/chicago-youth-continue-protests-against-police-armed-with-assault-rifles-2">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Ebony L. McCline/news/2008/12/12/sudanese-refugees-find-a-home-in-chicago2008-12-12T12:45:23Z2008-12-12T12:45:23ZSudanese Refugees Find a Home in Chicago<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 12, 2008 - Maketh Bul Mabior walks into a downtown Starbucks ten minutes late. However, he does not appear to be in a rush. His six-foot frame turns as the revolving, see-through door twirls around. He stops. He looks around. He pulls out his cell phone, proceeds to dial a number, not realizing …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 12, 2008 - Maketh Bul Mabior walks into a downtown Starbucks ten minutes late. However, he does not appear to be in a rush. His six-foot frame turns as the revolving, see-through door twirls around. He stops. He looks around. He pulls out his cell phone, proceeds to dial a number, not realizing that he has already been noticed.</p><p>Mabior, a Sudanese refugee, has a huge smile on his face, highlighting the contrast between the color of his skin and his pearly white teeth. Even though it is warm in Chicago, 26-year-old Mabior has seen some not so warm nights in his past.</p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/sudanese-refugees-find-a-home-in-chicago">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Dimitrios Kalantzis/news/2008/12/11/9-8-million-medical-malpractice-settlement-puts-county-on-track-to-spend-12-more-in-20092008-12-11T13:16:36Z2008-12-11T13:16:36Z$9.8 Million Medical Malpractice Settlement Puts County on Track to Spend 12% More in 2009<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 11, 2008 - Three days into the new fiscal year, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an unprecedented $9.8 million medical malpractice settlement last week, as President Todd Stroger seeks $280 million in bonds to cover day-to-day costs.</p><p>Commissioner Peter N. Silvestri (9th) called the settlement, involving the 2005 death of 27-year-old …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 11, 2008 - Three days into the new fiscal year, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an unprecedented $9.8 million medical malpractice settlement last week, as President Todd Stroger seeks $280 million in bonds to cover day-to-day costs.</p><p>Commissioner Peter N. Silvestri (9th) called the settlement, involving the 2005 death of 27-year-old Farrah Dickerson, atypical. He said he expected a 12 percent increase in total settlements for 2009 from last year's $80 million due to the large size of the settlement. <br /></p><p>Still, Silvestri said $90 million is just a drop in the bucket considering the county's $3.2 billion annual budget. </p><p>Others disagree. </p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/9-8-million-medical-malpractice-settlement-puts-county-on-track-to-spend-12-more-in-2009">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />Christine Iversen/news/2008/12/10/economic-hard-times-hit-south-loop2008-12-10T13:03:25Z2008-12-10T13:03:25ZEconomic Hard Times Hit South Loop<div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 10, 2008 - It is touted as being one of the hottest and fastest-growing residential neighborhoods in the city, but despite the rapid rise in development that has occurred in this trendy area, even the South Loop is not safe from the ill effects of the looming recession. </p><p>It is perhaps most evident at …</p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" /><div class="mceContentBody"><p>Dec. 10, 2008 - It is touted as being one of the hottest and fastest-growing residential neighborhoods in the city, but despite the rapid rise in development that has occurred in this trendy area, even the South Loop is not safe from the ill effects of the looming recession. </p><p>It is perhaps most evident at night, when the myriad of new condominium buildings stand tall and dark against the city's skyline.  The construction on most of these buildings has come to an end and residents of the purchased units are fully moved in.  But their lit-up windows are outnumbered by dark, empty units. </p><p><a href="http://chicagotalks-space.near-time.net/wiki/economic-hard-times-hit-south-loop">Read more...</a><br /></p></div><br class="no-line-height" clear="both" />