Parking rates in Chicago are the nation’s fourth highest. The median rate to park all day downtown is $32, according to a new survey. It costs $41 to park all day in Manhattan, the most expensive place in the country. (Sun-Times) Police say a Minnesota city councilman, in an attempt to gain sympathy from voters, […]
Author Archives: Alex Parker
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Our expanding waistline: Illinois is the fattest it’s ever been
We are getting fatter and fatter, according to a new report. In fact, adults in Illinois are fatter than ever. (Tribune) RELATED: Here’s a cool interactive graphic showing just how fat the world is getting. (Washington Post) In an effort to “rein in ‘unsupervised’ children,” aldermen are debating an 8:30 PM curfew for kids under […]
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Illinois cuts writing test requirement; civilization doomed?
Illinois high school students will no longer be tested on their writing skills. The move to eliminate writing from state standardized tests will save $2.4 million. (Tribune) RELATED: If you’re one of the 75 percent of Americans who know from which country we achieved independence, congratulations. (NY Daily News) This is what a tour of […]
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Joravsky, Miner named finalists for AAN awards
Reader politics reporter Ben Joravsky and media columnist Michael Miner have been named finalists in the 2011 AltWeekly Awards, presented by the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies.
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Video shows Boys Town stabbing attack
Police are investigating a weekend stabbing in Boys Town. Witnesses videotaped a group of more than ten people beating a man, who was stabbed twice in the melee. (Tribune) Cicero’s town president Larry Dominick is accused of slurring Latinos, according to a new federal lawsuit. Cicero’s population is more than 70 percent Latino. (Sun-Times) The […]
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It might feel like 105 degrees today
After last night’s apocalyptic hailstorm, today’s forecast calls for hot. And it may feel like 105, according to the National Weather Service. About 22,000 homes and businesses are without power this morning. (Tribune/Sun-Times) A massive lightning bolt struck Willis Tower last night. (Chicagoist) FBI A Chicago woman is accused of donning a nun costume and […]
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Mayor Emanuel hopes Illinois legalizes gay marriage
Saying progress has been made and citing New York’s decision to legalize gay marriage, Mayor Emanuel told CNN he hopes Illinois will follow suit. (CNN) Transformers III is getting awful reviews, but Chicago is a star. Here’s how the film depicts a Chicago ravaged by Decepticons. (Crain’s) Just how badly would a canceled NFL season […]
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Make way for ducklings
Firefighters and Good Samaritans staged “a daring rescue” of a mother duck and five ducklings attempting to cross Lake Shore Drive last night. (Tribune) Ugh. A south suburban women allegedly killed her baby, then took it shopping. (Sun-Times) A second Lakeview Walmart? (Curbed Chicago)
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Blago, no one else ‘stunned’ at verdict
Rod Blagojevich is the third Illinois governor to be convicted of corruption, and the fourth to face prison time since 1973. He said he was “stunned” at the verdict, which found him guilty of 17 of the 20 counts brought against him. Now the question is how much prison time will he receive? (Tribune) The […]
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Awaiting the Blago verdict
Jurors have reached a verdict in 18 of 20 counts in the Rod Blagojevich trial. They will announce the verdict between 1 and 2. (Sun-Times) A cab slammed into a Streeterville building this morning, killing one person. (Tribune) Mayor Emanuel will host two virtual town halls this week, including one tonight via telephone. (NBC Ward […]
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It was a dark and stormy night, and now 260k people have no power
More than a quarter million Chicago area residents were without power this morning. ComEd says it could take days to restore power in some areas. (Tribune) After Jody Weis’s massive vacation payout, the Civic Federation calls for a review on how the city reimburses vacation time. (Sun-Times) Where is Brian Carpey’s Fender Stratocaster? (Sun-Times)
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Roger Ebert vs. Bam Margera
In the wake of “Jackass” player Ryan Dunn’s death, professional prankster Bam Margera is now virtually feuding with Roger Ebert, after Ebert made comments on Twitter. (TMZ) Former top cop Jody Weis cashed in more than $76,000 of vacation days he never took while leading the Chicago Police Department. That’s 64 vacation days — but […]
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Alderman: Emanuel aide threatened me
Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno says an Emanuel aide threatened to cut off his access to the mayor if he challenged a key administration appointment. (Sun-Times) Toni Preckwinkle: We’ve lost the war on drugs. (Tribune) After a botched robbery results in the assailant’s death, a family mourns. (Sun-Times)
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As the Yankees come to town, a legend revisited
Did the Babe really call his shot at Wrigley? (Sun-Times) Information keeps flowing from City Hall, as the city yesterday posted lobbyist information for 2010 and 2011. (City of Chicago) Vain no more: Governor Quinn signed a bill yesterday prohibiting the names of politicians from being plastered on taxpayer-funded road signs. (Tribune)
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Adorable woodland creatures evicted by mean old city bureaucrats
The family of deer living in Boys Town is being evicted. Too many organic apples from Whole Foods, apparently. Also, dangerous drunks.(Sun-Times) The Chicago Board of Education denied teachers a scheduled 4-percent raise, saying the city’s budget situation wouldn’t allow it. The board also said more teacher layoffs could be on the horizon. (Chicago News […]