Articles

Jan. 15, 2009 - Andrea Tahlier, manager of Kroll's South Loop, says the end-of-year holidays are usually the restaurants busiest time of the year, but lately she's noticed fewer customers at lunch time.

"People just don't seem to be going out for lunch anymore," Tahlier said. While the bar at Kroll's has boosted business. "When times are hard, people tend to be more drawn to bars," she added.

Kroll's is not alone in the slow down. Rising food costs and dwindling numbers of customers are hurting restaurants around Chicago. Restaurant owners say some consumers are choosing to eat out less while others are opting for cheaper eateries.

Read more...

Jan. 14, 2009 - With the  still-growing 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.

"Housing is infrastructure," said Jack Markowski of the Chicago-based Community Investment Corporation, 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.

"We have proposals that are shovel-ready," he added, speaking at a gathering of over 200 community housing practitioners convened by the Chicago Rehab Network at Roosevelt University Monday.

Read more...

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.

The “Witness to History Bus Tour,” organized by Clarence Davidson at the Chicago-based Center for Community Advocacy, 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.

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.

Read more...

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. 

The bi-monthly Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy 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.

“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.”

Read more...

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.

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.

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 (video).

Read more...

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.

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.

Jeffrey Colman, a Chicago attorney who has represented prisoners at Guantanamo, said he still has two clients imprisoned there indefinitely.

Read more...

Jan. 7, 2009 - Kathleen Harrison was never that interested in Africa.

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.

That's when she took matters into her own hands.

Read more...

Jan. 6, 2009 - With the demolition of the former Pacific Garden Mission building on South State Street complete,  Jones College Preparatory High School  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.

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.

"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."

Read more...

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?"

That's the issue the Jewish United Fund (JUF) is addressing. A financial crisis means more people in need.

"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.

And to a food pantry, more people means less food.

Read more...

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.

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.

Bul serves as president of the Ayual Community Development Association. 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.

"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."

Read more...

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.

"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 Camp Hope 2009. "We want to show that there is support for him to implement all the changes that he campaigned for."

Spearheaded by Voices for Creative Nonviolence 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.

Read more...

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.

Hopkins is one of three Cook County judges who won reelection despite not having the endorsement of one of the most prestigious law associations.

"The Chicago Bar Association did not elect me. The people did," said Hopkins.

Read more...